Thanks to Habsburg Legal Services’ team, especially Kris, I got my Dutch nationality back. I am so grateful. Let me tell you my story as I hear that I am not the only divorced woman having being victimised by the Dutch law.
When I was divorcing in Costa Rica my mother (Dutch) living in Spain invited me to come stay some time with her. It was a difficult time for me and my daughter so I wanted to do that. I went to the Dutch embassy (in time) to renew our Dutch passports. While there I was told that my ex-husband needed to sign the application form for my daughter as well. Therefore, our applications couldn’t be processed and was refused. The fact that I had a letter from the Costa Rican court/judge that my daughter could get her passport was ignored. I was dealing with a lot at the time and didn’t question the official’s verdict.
Later I requested a Dutch nationality certificate. However now I was told that I was too late and meanwhile had lost my nationality. This could have been so avoidable. The embassy, when I was applying knew the law, or should have known. They could have warned me. Not only that, they could have issued my passport by itself. No, they just sent me away knowing that I would soon lose my nationality.
When my father (Dutch) heard later of the Tjebbes court verdict we tried another nationality certificate. However, this was rejected. Through my father I became aware of Kris and asked him for help in appealing the decisions. He helped me put my documents together, told me which evidence to collect, the wording of my cover and appeal letter, what to say, and important what not to say or show, and after about 10 months (very slow government) I finally got my nationality back and have my new passport finally today.
This would not have been possible without all the help I got. Last note, as a single mother the legal fees were a challenge for me. However, Kris has been very kind and we sorted it all out. Kris was patient, caring and supportive, he made me feel very comfortable through every step of this process. Again my thanks, not only for your professional advice and services but also for been an amazing human being! As I said in my voice message, “thank you, thank you, thank you!!!”.
