On Wednesday, I went to register with the GBA at our local town hall (Gemeentelijke Basisadministratie Persoonsgegevens). Translated it means, Municipal Personal Records (think county/township/townhall). It is necessary to update this registry if you move around or out of a town area. Once registered, I would be provided with a civil service number similar to a Social Security number. Without it, I can’t have things like a bank account here (that causes more problems).
I couldn’t apply for the GBA until completing registered partnership, and my application for immigration. The lady at the service desk looked at my apostilled birth certificate, and said it’s wrong. She didn’t bother examining the sticker or embossed stamp, and told us several different things it needed. This document was accepted before by this town hall for registered partnership, and for initiating the GBA process. I’ve been inside this town hall so often, I recognize most of their employees.
I’ve been in the position of these government workers, so I try to be level headed with them. Usually it’s the decent ones who seek guidance when confronted with unfamiliar issues. It took several minutes of insistence and my Gemeente (Municipal) issued registered partnership booklet to make her ask someone. She tried to make us walk away instead. We made them accept it, despite their lack of enthusiasm. Hopefully they’ll accept it, and provide me with a civil service number. In the meantime, there are scores of people left to the mercy of people like her.
This was much more bearable thanks to my partner!