Municipality of Hoeksche Waard: acknowledging parenthood of your child

You can recognize your child if you are a man of 16 years or older. Even if you are a duo mother, you can acknowledge your child.

Furthermore, the following rules apply:

The child does not yet have a legal father.
Does a child already have 2 parents? Then it can never be recognized by another.
Are you under guardianship? Then you need permission from the judge.
Are you not allowed to marry the mother because of consanguinity? Then you cannot recognize the child.
Are you the biological father? Then you cannot undo the recognition later.

If the mother comes along: your valid id and the mother's valid ID.
If the mother does not come along: your valid identity document, written permission from the mother, signature of the mother on the written consent and the valid identity document of the mother.
Choice of surname if the mother does not come along: Do you want the first child to get the name of the expert? Then the mother must come along to the appointment. Written consent from the mother is not sufficient. The same applies to a second or subsequent child: the mother must give permission again. This can be done with written permission.
Do you or the mother live abroad? Take a foreign proof that she is not married.
Are you a duo mother? Therefore, take the statement 'donor unknown' with you.
Additional documents required for recognition of child from 12 to 16 years: written permission of the child and copy of valid identity document of the child.

You can make an appointment online at  https://hoekschewaard.mijnafspraakmaken.nl/Client/#?Product=6 or call to +31 88 647 36 47.

• Official acknowledgement and choice of surname are free of charge.
• You can apply for an akte van erkenning (acknowledgement of parenthood certificate) in the municipality where the acknowledgment took place. A copy or extract from the civil status records costs: €14,30.

The acknowledgement cannot always be processed immediately. This depends on the personal situation of the child and the person acknowledging the child. For example, acknowledgement takes longer if the child was born before 1985 or if the person having the child officially recognised does not hold Dutch citizenship.