Birth Registration

How does it work?

The mother, father, or co-mother registers the birth.

If they are unable to do so, one of the following people can do it for them:

• anyone who was present at the birth
• in the case of a home birth: a person living in the same household
• in the case of a hospital delivery: the hospital director or a staff member authorized by the director

If this is not possible either, the registration will be carried out by or on behalf of the mayor of the municipality where your child was born.

Birth Certificate

After the registration, the municipality will issue a birth certificate. The birth certificate will include your child’s first name(s) and last name. It will also include the parents’ names, as well as the date, time, and place of birth. If you wish, you can purchase a copy of the birth certificate on the spot.

What should I do?

• Register your child’s birth with the municipality where your child was born. You must do this within 3 days. To do so, you must Make an appointment.
• You cannot file your tax return on a Saturday, Sunday, or a national holiday. In that case, you will be given an additional business day to do so.
• If you register the birth late, the registrar will report this to the Public Prosecutor’s Office. You may then be fined.

Make an appointment

What do I need?

• valid identification of the person filing the report
• valid identification for the mother
• statement from the doctor or midwife
• marriage certificate (not required)
• Certificate of Acknowledgment of Paternity for an Unborn Child (if you have one)
• Declaration of Name Selection (if you have one)

Child born to a lesbian couple

If the mother and co-mother are married or in a registered partnership, they must provide a statement from the Foundation for Donor Data on Artificial Insemination ( ) if the donor is anonymous.

Additional information

Choice of last name

As parents, you decide what last name your child will have. You can only choose the last name for your first child. You can do this before the birth or when you register the birth. All subsequent children in the family will automatically receive the same last name as your first child.

2 last names

Starting January 1, 2024, you may give your first child—if born on or after January 1, 2024—the last names of both parents. No more than two last names may be given. This dual last name also applies to all subsequent children of the same parents. Choosing a dual last name is not mandatory.

Other nationality

If your child does not have Dutch citizenship, you may not be able to choose your child’s last name yourself. This depends on your child’s country of citizenship. Please check with the embassy or consulate.

Birth Registration for a Deceased Child

Did your child survive for a short time after birth but pass away before the birth was registered? In that case, a birth certificate will first be issued by the municipality where your child was born. A death certificate will then be issued by the municipality where your child passed away.

Stillborn child

• If your child is stillborn, you can request a “stillbirth certificate” from the local government. This serves as official proof that your child was born. The duration of the pregnancy is irrelevant in this context. This certificate is identical in content to a standard birth certificate and is recorded in the death registry.
• If this is your first child, you may choose the last name yourself. It can be the father’s or the mother’s last name. For subsequent children, you are not required to use the same last name.
• You can also register your child in the BRP. That way, your child’s name will appear in your personal information when you log in to MijnOverheid.nl.