Recognizing a Child After Birth

You can acknowledge your child if you are a man aged 16 or older. You can also acknowledge your child if you are a co-mother.

In addition, the following applies:

• Your child does not yet have a legal father.
• If your child has two parents, he or she 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 your acknowledgment of paternity later.

You can acknowledge your child after birth in two ways:

• when registering a birth
• after registering the birth

Acknowledgment at the Time of Birth Registration

• You must register your child’s birth within 3 days. You cannot register the birth on a Saturday, Sunday, or a generally recognized holiday.
• You can do this at the municipality where your child was born.
• You can then acknowledge your child right away.

If the mother is unable to come to the municipal office with you, you will need her written consent to acknowledge your child.

Recognition After the Birth Registration

• You will go to city hall with the mother to acknowledge your child. You can do this at any city hall in the Netherlands.
• If the child you wish to recognize is 12 years old or older, you need written consent from both the mother and the child. If you do not receive consent from both of them, you can ask a judge for permission. You can only do this if you are the child’s biological parent.
• If the child you wish to acknowledge is 16 years of age or older, you should go to the municipal office together. The mother does not need to be present.

Apply for Parental Authority

As of January 1, 2023, parental authority is automatically established upon acknowledgment of the child. This applies even if you are unmarried or do not have a registered partnership with the mother. Please note: there are a few exceptions.

If the child was not born in the municipality where you will be arranging the acknowledgment of paternity, please bring a copy of the birth certificate with you

If the mother goes with us 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
• copy of mother's valid ID

Do one or both of the parents not have Dutch citizenship and/or has the mother lived abroad?
If so, please send an email to burgerzaken@voorschoten.nl before making an appointment so that we can better assist you.
Please include your name, date of birth, and phone number in this email.

Additional Requirements for Recognizing a Child Aged 12 to 16

• written consent from the child
• a copy of the child's valid identification

Additional Requirements for Recognition of a Child by a Co-Mother

• 's statement from the Foundation for Donor Data on Artificial Insemination (required only if the donor is anonymous)

You will receive a copy of the certificate of recognition right away.

A civil registry transcript costs €17.80 (2026)

Voorschoten Fee Ordinance

When you register your first child, you can choose at the time of birth registration 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 accompany you to the municipal office. Written consent from the mother is not sufficient in this case.

If you do not make a choice, the child will automatically receive the mother’s last name. All subsequent children in the family will automatically receive the same last name as your first child.

As of January 1, 2024, it will be possible to give your child two last names. 

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