Choosing a last name for your child

Parents can choose together which surname their first child will have. You report the chosen surname to the municipality.

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Note

From Jan. 1, 2024, you can also give your first child a double surname, one name from each parent. Is your oldest child born after Dec. 31, 2015? Then you can also give this child and all subsequent children a double last name.
You have until Jan. 1, 2025, to change the last name.

Approach

Your child will automatically be given a last name. If you agree with this last name, you do not have to pass anything on. Do you want a different last name for your child?

This is how you choose a different last name for your first child:

  • You and your partner visit the municipality in person.
  • You both bring valid ID.
  • You choose the last name no later than the birth declaration.
Cost

Rates 2024

  • The choice of surname upon recognition is free.
  • €16.60 (2024)/ €17.10 (2025) for an extract of the recognition.
  • €75 for the double surname for the eldest child, born after December 31, 2015 and before January 1, 2024.
  • €50 for the younger children of the same parents per child.
  • Free for all following children.
Description

You can choose whether your first child will have the surname of the mother, father or duo mother. As of Jan. 1, 2024, you can also give your first child two surnames. From each parent 1 name. The order does not matter. Each subsequent child from the same relationship will be given the same last name or surnames as the first child.

Do you adopt a child? Then the child may keep their own last name or have 1 or 2 names of the adoptive parents. Or you can combine the child's own last name with the last name of one of the adoptive parents.

If you do not submit your choice, your child will automatically receive a surname. The surname your child will automatically receive depends on your family situation. For more information about surnames, visit Rijksoverheid .nl .

Requirements

You let the choice be known no later than the birth declaration.

If the child is not acknowledged and you are not married or in a registered partnership at the time of birth, the child will receive the mother's surname. You can change the surname of your children to that of the other parent. This is possible if the other parent acknowledges the child after all. Requirements for this are:

  • Is the child under the age of 12? Then the mother must consent to the name change.
  • Is the child between the ages of 12 and 16? Then the mother and child must both consent to the name change.
  • Is the child 16 or older? Then the child must consent to the name change.
  • Both parents must be present at the name selection.
Learn more

Declaration of birth and choice of child's name

Information sheet on Rijksoverheid .nl: The choice of the surname

Information about choosing a surname on Rijksoverheid .nl

Information about double surname on Rijksoverheid .nl

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