A Letter of Authorisation is a document used during the eHerkenning application process when additional confirmation is required that you are authorised to act on behalf of an organisation.
This is a standard requirement within the eHerkenning framework and applies to all recognised providers.
The document must be signed by the legally authorised representative(s) of the organisation.
Why is a Letter of Authorisation required?
eHerkenning is a personal login method that allows you to act on behalf of an organisation.
Within the eHerkenning framework, strict rules apply to ensure that only authorised individuals gain access to (government) services.
If you are not registered in the Dutch Trade Register (KvK) as an independently authorised representative, additional confirmation is required that you have permission to apply for and use eHerkenning.
The Letter of Authorisation ensures that:
- the organisation is aware of the application
- the authorised representative approves your access
- the correct permissions are granted
How do we determine who must sign?
During your application, we check the official extract from the Dutch Trade Register (KvK).
Based on this information, we determine who is legally authorised to represent the organisation.
We follow the registration in the Trade Register and cannot modify this information.
If the authorised representatives are incorrect, this must first be updated with the Chamber of Commerce before we can proceed.
Why did I receive multiple Letters of Authorisation?
In some organisations, representation is registered as joint authorisation.
This means that multiple authorised representatives must approve certain actions together.
If this applies to your organisation, each authorised representative will receive their own Letter of Authorisation.
This is not an error — it reflects the official registration in the Trade Register.
For more detailed information, see: Why have I received multiple letters?
How does the process work?
- We automatically generate the Letter of Authorisation based on Trade Register data
- The authorised representative(s) review and sign the document
- The signed document is submitted via the Digidentity Wallet app
- After approval, your application continues
Once the Letter of Authorisation has been approved, your eHerkenning product will be issued or you will proceed to the next step of the registration process.
Is a Letter of Authorisation always required?
No, this is only required when:
- you are not independently authorised according to the Trade Register
- additional confirmation of your authority is required
If you are registered as an independently authorised representative, a Letter of Authorisation is usually not needed.
Why do I need to do this if I am already known?
Even if you have previously been identified or already use another Digidentity product, a Letter of Authorisation may still be required.
This is because eHerkenning verifies whether you are authorised to act on behalf of the organisation — this is separate from your personal identity verification.
Please note: A Letter of Authorisation expires after 30 days. If your letter has expired, you can request a new one via your ongoing registration.
Letter expired?
You can request a new Letter of Authorisation via your registration:
- Return to your eHerkenning registration
- Click ‘here’ under “Need more time to sign the letter?”
- Download and sign the new letter
- Submit the signed document again using the QR code
You can do this from 5 days before the expiry date.