Acknowledge child

You can recognise your child even before they are born. This is known as recognition of the unborn child. This can be done at any local authority in the Netherlands. Recognising your child before birth has a few advantages:

• Immediately after birth, the child has a legal father or co-mother. This is the case even if something happens to the person who has recognised the child before the birth. We therefore advise you to always choose this option, including for a second or subsequent child from the same relationship.
• The person who acknowledges paternity is listed as the father/co-mother on the birth certificate.
• You can provide the surname at the time of acknowledgement.
• If you choose to give your first child the father’s surname, the mother must accompany you to the appointment.
• Is this your second or subsequent child? If so, the mother does not need to come along. However, she must give consent (pdf, 112 kB).
• If you choose to use the mother’s surname when registering the child, the mother must give consent (pdf, 112 kB). The mother does not need to come along to the appointment.
• If you do not choose a surname, the child will automatically take the mother’s surname.
• Recognising a child automatically confers parental authority over that child.
• If you choose to grant sole parental responsibility to the mother, you must both make a joint declaration at the court registry.

Note: Are you writing a letter of consent yourself? If so, please do not forget to add the following line: ‘I hereby also declare that I consent to exercising parental responsibility over the child jointly with the person recognising paternity.’.

If you have not recognised the child before the birth, you can also recognise the child when registering the birth. This must be done at the local authority where the child was born.

• The name of the person acknowledging paternity appears on the second page of the birth certificate.
• If you choose to give your first child the father’s surname, the mother must come along to the appointment to consent (PDF, 106 kB) to give.
• If you choose to use the mother’s surname when registering the child, the mother must consent (PDF, 106 kB) . The mother does not need to come along to the appointment.
• Is this your second or subsequent child? If so, the mother must consent (PDF, 106 kB) give.
• The mother hereby also gives her consent to joint custody.
• Recognising a child automatically confers parental authority over that child.
• If you choose to grant sole parental responsibility to the mother, you must both make a joint declaration at the court registry.

Note: Are you writing a letter of consent yourself? If so, please do not forget to add the following line: ‘I hereby also declare that I consent to exercising parental responsibility over the child jointly with the person recognising paternity.’.

Are you a mother and is your child being born within a marriage or registered partnership with a woman? Co-parenting allows you to become mothers together. In that case, please bring a statement from the Artificial Insemination Donor Data Foundation. If you do not have this declaration because you are using a known donor, you can have a certificate of recognition drawn up. It is advisable to do this before registering the birth. You can find more information about co-parenting and parental authority at rijksoverheid.nl.

Recognising a child after birth is known as ‘recognition of an existing child’. This can be done in any local authority in the Netherlands. It is possible if a child does not have a legal father.

• The acknowledgement takes effect from the date on which you acknowledge the child, not from the date of birth.
• Is the child under 12 years of age? If so, the mother must give consent (pdf, 106 kB).
• Is the child aged between 12 and 16? If so, the mother and the child must give consent (pdf, 106 kB). The child will be coming along to the appointment.
• Is the child aged 16 or over? If so, only the child’s consent is required. The child chooses their own surname.
• Recognising a child automatically confers parental authority over that child.
• If you choose to grant sole parental responsibility to the mother, you must both make a joint declaration at the court registry.

Note: Are you writing a letter of consent yourself? If so, please do not forget to add the following line: ‘I hereby also declare that I consent to exercising parental responsibility over the child jointly with the person recognising paternity.’.

Book an appointment online to recognise your child.

Please bring the following to your appointment

• A valid proof of identity of yourself

Were you born abroad, or was your partner born abroad? Does one of you live abroad, or has one of you lived abroad? If so, you may need additional documents. Please contact the local council by telephone on 14055. If you’re calling from abroad, the number is +31 55 580 15 55.

Recognition of the first child

• The mother must accompany you if you choose the father’s or co-mother’s surname. She must also bring valid proof of identity.
• Written consent (PDF, 106 kB) together with a copy of the mother’s valid identity document if the child is to take the mother’s surname.

Recognition of a second or subsequent child

• Written consent (PDF, 106 kB) together with a copy of the mother’s valid identity document.

From 1 January 2024, new rules will apply regarding the choice of a child's surname. You can read more about this on our site at the Page: Choosing a Name or on the central government website.