Municipality of Dijk en Waard: acknowledging parenthood of your child

When acknowledging your first child, you can choose a surname. The mother must be present at this appointment. All children from the same relationship will be given the same surname as the first child.

 There are three options:

- the mother's surname,
- the surname of the person acknowledging the child (father or co-mother/co-father),
- or a combination of the surnames.

In 2024, a transitional arrangement is in place allowing children born on (or after) 1 January 2016 to be given a combined surname. 

You can find more information about this on the 'Combined surname' page.

Parental authority Recognition

After 1 January 2023

Are you unmarried and not in a registered partnership? Since 1 January 2023, the person recognizing the child (father or co-mother/co-father) automatically acquires parental authority upon recognition. You no longer need to apply to the court for authority jointly with the mother. You can find more information on rechtspraak.nlw.

Recognition before 1 January 2023

Are you unmarried and not in a registered partnership? If you recognized the child before 1 January 2023, you do not automatically have joint parental authority over the child. You can apply for parental authority in writing to the court or online via rechtspraak.nl (links to an external website). You need a DigiD login code for an online application. The mother who gives birth to the child (provided she is of legal age) automatically holds parental authority.

Marriage or registered partnership

Are you married or in a registered partnership? If so, you automatically share parental authority over children born during the marriage, as well as over children recognized by the father or co-mother/co-father prior to the marriage.