Acknowledging parenthood of your child in the Netherlands
Are you expecting a child? And are you not married to the birth mother, or are you not in a registered partnership together? If so, you can become the child’s legal parent – as the father or co-mother – by acknowledging the child. As a co-mother, you may also need to acknowledge the child even if you are married or in a registered partnership. For example, if you used a known donor.
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The following rules apply when acknowledging a child:
- You are 16 years of age or older.
- You need the mother’s consent, unless the child is over 16 years of age.
- If the child is 12 years of age or older, you will need the child’s written consent.
- You cannot acknowledge a child if you are not permitted to marry the mother. For example, because you are a blood relative of the mother.
- There must not already be two parents. If, for example, the child has been adopted by the mother’s female partner, the biological father can no longer acknowledge the child.
- If you are under curatorship due to your physical or mental condition, you must first obtain permission from the subdistrict court.
If you wish to acknowledge a child but, for example, hold another nationality or dual nationality, it is important to ascertain which law applies to you. In most cases, the mother’s consent is also required for acknowledgement.
Seek information or advice from the Civil Affairs Department of your municipality, or a legal expert.