Sorry if this is off topic. . .
Hello everyone. I figured this might be the place for questions regarding all things Dutch, so here goes.
My father is from Aruba, and I am currently pursuing dual citizenship. I've lived in the States most of my life, except for a period when I lived in Aruba when I was little and when I recently lived in Japan teaching English. Once I came back to the States, I decided to get my Dutch citizenship. I've been corresponding with one of the staff members at the consulate near me in the US for the past few months, doing lots of paperwork as you can expect. Throughout the process it has been difficult to gauge my chances of acquiring citizenship or to find out how long the process takes to complete.
And I'd feel a bit forward if I just came out and asked the woman I've been emailing. She's seemed a bit tight-lipped in some of her responses to the questions I've had. I don't want to appear too impatient because, well, I think something as serious as citizenship should take time to process. Yet, my plans for the rest of the year are contingent upon whether or not I can move to Holland next year.
She recently wrote back telling me I can formally apply for a Dutch passport. Now, forgive me if this is the stupidest question in the world, but, does having a passport equal citizenship? And if she says I can apply for one, does that mean I qualify for citizenship or just that that is the next step in seeing if I qualify? I realize that it's possible that no one will have the answers that will reassure me, but I appreciate any thoughts. I thought maybe someone might have had a similar experience. All of this stuff can be so confusing to me.
Thanks heaps!