Acknowledging a child prior to birth

When you acknowledge your child, you become a legal parent. This means you are then the legal parent of your child. This does not always have to be the biological parent. As a legal parent you have rights and obligations. For example, you have the right to see your child and you are obliged to care for the child.

acknowledgement You can do this at the municipal registry office or through a notary. You can do this even before your child is born.

acknowledgement not necessary

You do not need to acknowledge your child if you are automatically a legal parent. This is the case if:

You are the birth mother.
You are married to the mother.
You have a registered partnership with the mother.

Please note! As a co-mother, you must bring the 'unknown donor' declaration with you when reporting the birth. If you fail to do so, you can still give acknowledgement of your child and become a legal parent.

How does it work?

You can give acknowledgement of your child if you are a man or co-mother aged 16 or older.

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.

What to do?

You go together with the expectant mother to the municipality to give acknowledgement of your unborn child. This can be done in any municipality in NL.
If the expectant mother is not accompanying you to the municipal office, you must have her written authorization authorisation for acknowledgement.
As soon as the child is born, the acknowledgement becomes legally valid. You are then the child’s legal parent.

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.

What do I need?

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
valid ID of the mother

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.

How long does it take?

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

Extra information

When your first child is acknowledgement , 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 authorisation from the mother alone is not sufficient.

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

Costs

A civil status transcript costs € 17.80 (2026)

Voorschoten Municipal Fees Ordinance

Online a Make an appointment

Visiting by appointment