Acknowledging a child and choosing a surname
Are you not automatically the legal parent of a child? Then you can acknowledge the child. You can then also choose which surname the child will get. To do this, visit the municipality.
Approach
To acknowledge a child and choose a surname, come to the municipality in person. Do you acknowledge the child at the birth registration? Then go to the municipality where the child was born. Do you acknowledge the child before the birth or after the declaration of birth? This is possible in any municipality in the Netherlands.
- For an acknowledgment of the first child in a relationship, both parents must be present. You cannot use the consent form then.
- For a second and subsequent child, the mother does not need to be present and then consents to recognition using the online form.
- Do you choose to not exercise custody together with the acknowledging party? Then you cannot use the form. Make an appointment where both of you must be present.
This is how you acknowledge a child:
- You come to the congregation.
- Do you want to choose a last name when recognizing your first child? If so, the mother must also be present.
- You take to the congregation:
- A valid ID of yourself
- A valid ID from the mother
- written consent of the mother for recognition, if she is not present. Arrange the consent acknowledgement child online
- written consent of the child for recognition, if the child is over 12 years of age
- If the child was not born in Heerlen, bring a copy of the birth certificate.
Has a second or subsequent child been born within your relationship and the father or duo mother wants to acknowledge the child? Then permission from the mother is required. You can give this consent online with your DigiD.
Does the child's mother or recognizer live abroad? You must show proof of marital status. Do you not have the Dutch nationality? Then other rules may apply. Sometimes you cannot acknowledge a child. Would you like more information and advice about your situation? Please make an appointment.