At birth, your child will automatically be given the surname of the father or (co-)mother. This depends on your circumstances. Find out more on this the Dutch Government’s website what surname your child will have in your situation.
If this means your child will not be given the name you want, you can choose the other parent’s surname or a double surname. To do this, you will need to have a certificate of choice of name drawn up at the registry office.
The surname you choose for your first child also applies to all subsequent children of the same parents. Once the surname has been registered, you cannot usually change it. The only way to do so is if you get married or enter into a civil partnership. In that case, you may, on a one-off basis, choose either the other parent’s surname or a double surname.
Furthermore, the surname can only be changed by a to submit an official request to Justis.
Would you like your child to have a surname other than the ‘automatic surname’? If so, you will need to have a certificate of choice of surname drawn up by the local authority. This can be done before the birth or (at the latest) when registering the birth.
Both parents must come to the counter at the town hall in person to register their choice of name. If you choose to do this when registering the birth, the mother must also be present.
To do this, please book an appointment online using the button above.
Please bring the following with you to this appointment:
- Valid proof of identity for both of you.
The application to register a chosen name is free of charge.
The key considerations when choosing a surname for your child:
- You can only choose the surname for the first child born to the couple.
- You are married or in a civil partnership. Or your child has been recognised.
- Your child is a Dutch national.
- Does your child have a different nationality? If so, different rules apply to the child’s name. For further information, please call 14055.
If you do not take any action, your child will automatically be given the father’s or mother’s surname. This depends on the family situation.
Married or civil partners (of different sexes – heterosexual couples)
Your child will automatically take the father’s surname. You can also choose the mother’s surname or a double surname. This is only possible if you have a certificate of choice of surname drawn up before or during the registration of the birth. The mother must be present for this. It is therefore advisable to do this before registering the birth.
Unmarried parents (of different sexes – heterosexual couples)
Your child will automatically take the mother’s surname. If you wish for the child to take the father’s surname or a double surname, you must recognise a child. The decision on the child’s surname is made when the first child born of the relationship is recognised.
Same-sex parents
- Two men: If you and another man adopt a child, you may choose either one of your surnames or a double surname. This is subject to the condition that this is your first child. If this is not the case, the child will be given the same surname as your other children. The choice of surname is made before the court at the time of the adoption.
- Two women: if two married or civilly partnered women have a child, the following applies:
- The mother is pregnant following insemination by an unknown donor within the meaning of the Artificial Insemination Donor Data Act. The child will be given the co-mother’s surname. However, this is only the case if the co-mother is automatically the legal parent at the time of birth. They may choose for the child to take the biological mother’s surname or a double surname.
- The mother is pregnant via a known donor and the co-mother recognises the child. The child will be given the biological mother’s surname. Depending on the choice of surname, it is possible for the first child born of the relationship to take the co-mother’s surname.
Child’s surname with new partner
Do you have a child from a previous relationship and are you expecting a child with your new partner? In that case, this child does not have to be given the same surname as their half-brother or half-sister. This is because, legally speaking, they are not children of the same parents. If you have more children with your new partner, however, the rule on the unity of the family name does apply. All children you and your new partner have will be given the same surname.
Changing a chosen surname
There are various types of applications for changing your surname. You can arrange this directly via Justis.