Acknowledging 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.

Furthermore, the following applies:

• Your child does not yet have a legal father.
• If your child has 2 parents, it can never be acknowledged by someone else.
• If you are under guardianship, you will need a court order ( authorisation ) from the judge.
• If you are not permitted to marry the mother due to a blood relation, you cannot give acknowledgement of the child.
• You cannot give acknowledgement of a deceased child.
• If you are the biological father, you will not be able to revoke the acknowledgement later.

You can acknowledge your child after birth at 2 different times:

• at the birth registration
• after the birth registration

Acknowledge during the birth registration

• You must register the birth of your child within 3 days. Registration is not possible on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays.
• You can do this at the municipality where your child was born.
• You can then acknowledge your child immediately.

If the mother is unable to come to City Hall, you will need her written authorisation in order to acknowledge your child.

Acknowledge after the birth registration

• You and the mother must visit the municipality together to acknowledge your child. This can be done in any municipality in NL.
• If the child you wish to acknowledge is 12 years of age or older, you need written authorisation from both the mother and the child. If you do not receive authorisation from both of them, you can ask the court to authorisation. This is only possible if you are the child’s biological parent.
• If the child you wish to acknowledge is 16 years of age or older, you must visit the municipality together. The mother does not need to be present.

Apply for parental authority

As of January 1, 2023, parental authority is automatically granted to the child’ acknowledgement . 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 applying for the “ acknowledgement ,” please bring a copy of the birth certificate with you.

If the mother accompanies you to the municipality:

• your valid identity document
• valid ID of the mother

If the mother does not accompany you to the municipality:

• your valid identity document
• written authorisation from the mother
• the mother's signature on the written authorisation
• copy of the mother's valid proof of identity

Does one or both of the parents not hold EN nationality 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 be of better service to you.
Please include your name, date of birth, and telephone number in this email.

Additional requirements for acknowledgement for children ages 12 to 16

• written authorisation from the child
• copy of the child's valid proof of identity

Additional requirements for " acknowledgement " children by "duomoeder"

• declaration from the Artificial Insemination Donor Data Foundation (only required if the donor is anonymous)

You will immediately receive a copy of the deed of acknowledgement.

A civil status transcript costs € 17.80 (2026)

Voorschoten Municipal Fees Ordinance

When your first child is born ( acknowledgement ), you can choose which last name he or she will have when you register the birth: the mother’s last name or yours. If you want your child to have your last name, the mother must accompany you to the municipal office. Written consent ( authorisation ) from the mother alone is not sufficient.

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

As of January 1, 2024, it is possible to give your child 2 surnames. 

Visiting by appointment