Filling in forms correctly

You will fill in Dutch forms with correct dates, addresses, postcodes and phone numbers, and write short reason fields.

A2 and B19 minLesson 2 of 6

After this lesson you can

Write dates, addresses, postcodes and phone numbers the Dutch way
Understand the common field labels on Dutch forms
Write a short, complete answer in a reason or remarks field

Why forms are easy points

Almost every writing exam contains a form (formulier). It looks simple, so people rush it. But each field is checked, and a wrong date order or a missing reason costs points you could easily have had. The rule is: write exactly what the field asks, in the Dutch format, and nothing else.

Common field labels

Label	Meaning	Example answer
Voornaam	first name	Yusuf
Achternaam	surname	Demir
Voorletter(s)	initials	Y.
Geboortedatum	date of birth	14-02-1991
Geboorteplaats	place of birth	Izmir
Straat en huisnummer	street and number	Lindelaan 23
Postcode en woonplaats	postcode and town	3512 KT Utrecht
Telefoonnummer	phone number	06-48217735
E-mailadres	e-mail address	y.demir@mail.nl
Handtekening	signature	(sign)
Toelichting / Opmerkingen	explanation / remarks	short sentence(s)

Formats that must be right

Dates. Dutch order is day-month-year: 05-09-2026 or 5 september 2026. Never 09/05/2026. Months are written with a small letter: maart, not Maart.

Addresses. The street comes first, then the number: Kerkstraat 8, not 8 Kerkstraat. An addition goes straight after the number: Kerkstraat 8A or Kerkstraat 8-2.

Postcodes. Four digits, a space, two capital letters: 2514 GL. Then the town: 2514 GL Den Haag.

Phone numbers. Mobile numbers start with 06 and have ten digits: 06-12345678. If it says telefoonnummer overdag, give a number you can be reached on during the day.

Choices. For ja/nee or man/vrouw fields, follow the instruction: kruis aan (put a cross), omcirkel (circle) or doorstrepen wat niet van toepassing is (cross out what does not apply).

Short answer or full sentence?

Data fields get just the data. Do not write Mijn naam is Yusuf in the Voornaam box.

Reason and remarks fields are different. Here the assessor wants to see a clear, complete thought. A single word often does not answer the question.

Field	Too short	Good
Reden van aanmelding	Sport	Ik wil meer bewegen en nieuwe mensen leren kennen.
Waarom wilt u een afspraak?	Pijn	Ik heb al een week pijn in mijn rug.
Opmerkingen	Nee	Ik kan alleen op dinsdag en donderdag.

If the field says Opmerkingen and the task tells you to add something there (for example: vertel dat je allergisch bent), you must write it. If the task says nothing, you may write Geen or leave it empty.

Answer what the task says, not your real life

The exam task usually gives you a situation: Je wilt je zoon aanmelden voor zwemles. Use the details from the task. If the task says your son is seven, write seven. If it gives no detail (for example your own address), invent a realistic Dutch one. Do not leave it empty, and do not write weet ik niet.

Checking a form in one minute

Is every field filled in that should be?
Dates in day-month-year?
Street before number, postcode with a space?
Reason fields: a full sentence with a verb?
Signature and date at the bottom, if asked?

This last step is often forgotten. If the form says Datum and Handtekening, fill in today's date and sign with your name.

Useful Dutch

invullento fill in
aankruisento tick / put a cross next to
doorstrepen wat niet van toepassing iscross out what does not apply
de geboortedatumdate of birth
de woonplaatstown where you live
de toelichtingexplanation
de opmerkingenremarks
de redenthe reason
de handtekeningsignature
het huisnummerhouse number
overdagduring the day

Worked example

A sign-up form for a Dutch conversation group

Je wilt meedoen aan een praatgroep in de bibliotheek. Vul het formulier in. Vertel bij 'Opmerkingen' dat je alleen 's avonds kunt. Naam: ... Adres: ... Postcode en woonplaats: ... Telefoon: ... Waarom wilt u meedoen? ... Opmerkingen: ...

Naam: Lina Haddad. Adres: Vondelstraat 41. Postcode en woonplaats: 6824 MJ Arnhem. Telefoon: 06-31284490. Waarom wilt u meedoen? 'Ik wil beter Nederlands spreken en nieuwe mensen ontmoeten.' Opmerkingen: 'Ik kan alleen 's avonds, want overdag werk ik.' The data fields contain only data. The two open fields have full sentences. The extra point from the task ('alleen 's avonds') is in the Opmerkingen field, where the task asked for it.

Common mistakes

Writing the date in English order (month first) or with a capital month.
Putting the house number before the street name.
Answering a reason field with one word instead of a short sentence.
Forgetting the content point the task tells you to put in Opmerkingen.
Leaving date and signature empty at the bottom of the form.

Check yourself

Answer all three to mark this lesson as done.

1. Which postcode is written correctly?

2. The field says 'Reden van uw bezoek'. What is the best answer?

3. How do you write 3 April 2027 on a Dutch form?