Recognizing a child before birth
What is it?
If you acknowledge your child, you become the child’s legal parent. This means you are then the child’s legal parent. This does not always have to be the biological parent. As a legal parent, you have rights and responsibilities. For example, you have the right to see your child and are obligated to care for the child.
You can register the birth at the municipal registry office or through a notary. You can do this even before your child is born.
No approval required
You do not need to acknowledge your child if you are automatically the legal parent. This is the case if:
- You are the biological mother.
- You are married to the mother.
- You are in a registered partnership with the mother.
Please note! As the co-mother, you must bring the “donor unknown” declaration with you when registering the birth. If you do not do so, you can still acknowledge your child and become the legal parent.
How does it work?
You can acknowledge your child if you are a father or co-mother who is 16 years of age or older.
In addition, the following applies:
- Your child does not yet have a legal father.
- If your child has two parents, they can never be recognized by anyone else.
- If you are under guardianship, you need permission from the court.
- If you are prohibited from marrying the mother due to a blood relationship, you cannot acknowledge the child.
- You cannot acknowledge a deceased child.
- If you are the biological father, you cannot revoke the acknowledgment of paternity later.
What should I do?
- You will go to the local municipality with the expectant mother to acknowledge your unborn child. This can be done at any municipality in the Netherlands.
- If the expectant mother does not accompany you to the municipal office, you must have her written consent for the acknowledgment of paternity.
- Once the child is born, the acknowledgment becomes legally valid. You are then the child’s legal parent.
Apply for parental authority
As of January 1, 2023, parental authority is automatically established upon acknowledgment of paternity. This applies even if you are unmarried or do not have a registered partnership with the mother.
Please note: there are a few exceptions.
What do I need?
If the mother comes along to city hall:
- your valid ID
- valid identification for the mother
If the mother does not go to city hall:
- your valid ID
- written consent from the mother
- the mother's signature on the written consent form
- valid identification for the mother
Do you or the mother live abroad? If so, please also bring proof from abroad that you are not married
How long does it take?
You will receive a copy of the certificate of recognition immediately.
Additional information
When you register your first child, you can choose which last name he or she will have: the mother’s or yours. If you want your child to have your last name, the mother must come with you to the municipal office. Written consent from the mother is not sufficient in this case.
If you do not choose a surname, the child will automatically take the mother’s surname. All subsequent children in the family will automatically take the same surname as your first child.