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A Certificate of Cohabitation proves that two people live together at the same address in the Netherlands. You can get this official document from your local municipality (gemeente) when you both are registered at the same address in the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP).

This certificate helps couples who aren't married but need to show they share a household - useful for immigration procedures, partner visas, health insurance applications, and pension benefits. It's especially important for international couples living in Dutch cities, as many organizations require proof of your living situation before extending certain rights or benefits to partners.

You need a Certificate of Cohabitation when dealing with Dutch authorities or organizations that require proof of your living arrangement. Most commonly, couples use it for residence permit applications, especially if one partner is from outside the EU and needs to prove their relationship status for immigration purposes.

The certificate also comes in handy when applying for joint health insurance, opening a shared bank account, or registering as partners for pension benefits. Many housing associations and mortgage providers ask for this document to verify your household composition. Getting it early saves time, as processing can take several weeks at busy municipal offices.

• Basic Municipal Certificate: The standard version from your gemeente showing current cohabitation status - perfect for most official purposes
• Historical Living Situation Record: Shows your complete address history together - useful for immigration cases requiring proof of long-term cohabitation
• International Certificate: Contains English translations and apostille certification for use abroad
• Digital Extract: An online version available through your DigiD, suitable for Dutch organizations but may not be accepted for all purposes

• Municipal Officers: Issue and validate Certificates of Cohabitation based on official residence records
• Cohabiting Partners: Request and use the certificate to prove their living arrangement for various benefits and services
• Immigration Services (IND): Require these certificates when processing residence permits for international partners
• Insurance Companies: Accept these documents as proof when adding partners to health insurance policies
• Financial Institutions: Use them to verify household composition for joint accounts or mortgages
• Pension Providers: Reference these certificates when determining partner benefits and survivor rights

• Valid ID Documents: Have both partners' passports or Dutch ID cards ready
• BRP Registration: Ensure both partners are registered at the same address in the municipal database
• Appointment Booking: Schedule a visit with your local gemeente (municipality) - some offer online booking
• Purpose Statement: Know why you need the certificate (immigration, insurance, etc.) as this affects the format
• Processing Time: Plan ahead - allow 1-2 weeks for standard processing
• Fee Payment: Prepare payment method for administrative costs (varies by municipality)

• Personal Details: Full legal names, dates of birth, and nationalities of both partners
• Address Information: Current shared residential address and registration date
• Municipal Validation: Official gemeente stamp and signature from authorized municipal officer
• Registration Numbers: BSN (citizen service numbers) of both partners
• Issue Date: Clear indication of when the certificate was issued
• Purpose Statement: Specific intended use of the certificate (if applicable)
• Authentication Features: Security elements proving the document's authenticity

A Certificate of Cohabitation differs significantly from a Cohabitation Agreement. While both documents relate to living together, they serve distinct legal purposes in the Netherlands.

• Legal Purpose: A Certificate of Cohabitation simply proves you live together at the same address, while a Cohabitation Agreement establishes legal rights and responsibilities between partners
• Issuing Authority: The Certificate comes from your municipality, but a Cohabitation Agreement is a private contract drafted by partners, often with legal assistance
• Content Scope: The Certificate only contains basic facts about residence and identity, whereas the Agreement covers property division, financial arrangements, and mutual obligations
• Duration: Certificates typically show current status and need regular renewal, while Agreements remain valid until terminated by the partners