Recognition and Dutch nationality
What is it?
The father can acknowledge a child if he is not married or in a registered partnership with the mother. Does the mother have a female partner? Then this partner can acknowledge the child if she is not married or in a registered partnership with the mother. This is also possible if the child's biological father is a known sperm donor. The biological mother must give her consent for the recognition. If the biological mother is not Dutch and the father or female partner is, the recognition may have consequences for the child's nationality:
- Will you recognize the child before he or she turns seven? The child will automatically receive Dutch nationality.
- Are you recognizing the child after the age of seven? You must prove your biological parenthood within one year. You can provide this proof with a DNA test. Do you not have DNA proof? And do you still want the child to obtain Dutch nationality? Then you can register the child for the option procedure. You must have raised the child for at least 3 years. The DNA test must be carried out by a laboratory that meets the legal requirements. Please note that you must have this done within 1 year of the recognition.
What should I do?
You make an appointment by telephone with the back office of the Customer Contact Center in the town hall.
You must bring:
- valid identification for both parents
- the written consent of the biological mother if the child is under 16 years of age
- the written consent of the child themselves if the child is 12 years of age or older
- the results of the DNA test, if the child is older than 7 years
What does it cost?
Recognizing a child does not cost you anything. However, you should take into account the costs for a copy or extract and the costs for the DNA test.