Acknowledge child before birth

What is it?

When you acknowledge your child, you become a legal parent. This means that 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 obligated to care for the child.

Recognition is done at the civil registry of the municipality or through a notary. You can do this even before your child is born.

Recognition not needed

You do not have to acknowledge your child if you are automatically a legal parent. This is so if:

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

Note! As a duo mother, you do need to bring the "donor unknown" statement with you when you declare the birth. If you do not do this, you can still acknowledge your child and become a legal parent.

How does it work?

You can acknowledge your child if you are a male or duo mother 16 years of age or older. 

Furthermore, the following applies:

  • Your child does not yet have a legal father.
  • If your child has 2 parents, they can never be recognized by another.
  • If you are under guardianship, you need permission from the court.
  • If you cannot marry the mother due to consanguinity, you cannot acknowledge the child.
  • You cannot acknowledge a deceased child.
  • If you are the biological father, you cannot later undo the recognition.

What to do?

  • You and the expectant mother go to the municipality to acknowledge your unborn child. This can be done in any municipality in the Netherlands.
  • If the expectant mother does not accompany you to the municipality, you must have written permission from her for recognition.
  • Once the child is born, recognition becomes legally valid. You are then the child's legal parent.

Requesting parental authority

Since Jan. 1, 2023, parental authority is automatically established upon recognition of the child. Even if you are unmarried or do not have a registered partnership with the mother. Please note that there are a few exceptions.

What do I need?

If the mother goes with you to the church:

  • your valid ID
  • valid ID of the mother

If the mother does not go with you to the church:

  • your valid ID
  • written consent of the mother
  • mother's signature on the written consent
  • valid ID of the mother

Do you or the mother live abroad? Then also bring foreign proof that you are not married

Make an appointment online

Make an appointment an appointment by phone by calling 14 045

How long does it take?

You will receive a copy of the acknowledgement certificate immediately.

Additional information

When acknowledging your first child, you can choose which surname he or she will have: the mother's name or yours. If you want your child to have your name, the mother must come with you to the municipality. Written consent from the mother is then not sufficient.

If you do not choose, the child will automatically be given the mother's last name. All subsequent children in the family will automatically receive the same last name as your first child.