Recognizing a Child Before Birth

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 you are obligated to care for the child.

You can register the birth at the municipal civil 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 child’s 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” statement with you when you register 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, 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.

What should I do?

You will go with the expectant mother to the municipal office to acknowledge your unborn child. This can be done at any municipal office 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.
As soon as the child is born, the acknowledgment of paternity 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 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.

What do I need?

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
valid identification for the mother

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.

How long does it take?

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

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 accompany 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.

Costs

A civil registry transcript costs €17.80 (2026)

Voorschoten Fee Ordinance

Make an appointment online

Visit by appointment