Municipality of Montferland: acknowledging parenthood of your child

Acknowledging a child before birth

If you are a man of 16 years or older, you can acknowledge your child. You can also acknowledge your child if you are the female partner of the biological mother (duomoeder). The following also applies:

• Your child does not yet have a legal father;
• If your child already has 2 parents, they can never be acknowledged by a further person;
• If you are under guardianship, the authorisation of the judge is required;
• If you are not allowed to marry the mother because you are a blood relation, you may not acknowledge the child;
• You cannot acknowledge a deceased child;
• If you are the biological father, you cannot undo the acknowledgement at a later stage.

When acknowledging your first child, you can choose the last name that he or she will have: the mother's surname or your own. If you want the child to have your name, the mother must accompany you to the municipality. The mother's authorisation in writing is not sufficient.

If you do not make a choice, then the child is automatically given their mother's last name. All subsequent children in the family are given the same last name as the first child.

Acknowledging a child after birth

If you are a man of 16 years or older, you can acknowledge your child. You can also acknowledge your child if you are the female partner of the biological mother (duomoeder). The following also applies:

• Your child does not yet have a legal father;
• If your child already has 2 parents, they can never be acknowledged by a further person;
• If you are under guardianship, the authorisation of the judge is required;
• If you are not allowed to marry the mother because you are a blood relation, you may not acknowledge the child;
• You cannot acknowledge a deceased child;
• If you are the biological father, you cannot undo the acknowledgement at a later stage.

When acknowledging your first child, you can choose the last name that he or she will have: the mother's surname or your own. If you want the child to have your name, the mother must accompany you to the municipality. The mother's authorisation in writing is not sufficient.

If you do not make a choice, then the child is automatically given their mother's last name. All subsequent children in the family are given the same last name as the first child.

If the child was not born in the municipality in which you want to acknowledge them, bring a copy of their birth certificate with you. 

If the mother accompanies you to the municipality:

• Your proof of identity;
• The mother's proof of identity.

If the mother does not accompany you to the municipality:

• Your proof of identity;
• Written permission from the mother;
• The mother's signature on the written authorisation;
• The mother's proof of identity.

Annex

Consent form acknowledgement.pdf

PDF,

110.55 KB

Additional pieces required for the acknowledgement of a child between 12 and 16 years of age

• The child's written consent
• Copy of the child's proof of identity

Extra pieces required for the acknowledgement of a child by the female partner of the biological mother (duomoeder)

• Declaration from the Artificial Fertilisation Donor Information Office (only required if the donor is anonymous)

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

To acknowledge your child, you need to make an appointment with our municipality.

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

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

As the female partner of the biological mother (duomoeder), you must bring the 'donor unknown' declaration with you when registering the birth. If you do not do this, you can still acknowledge your child and become their legal parent at a later date.

It is only possible to acknowledge your child at the Didam town hall.

If you are a man of 16 years or older, you can acknowledge your child. You can also acknowledge your child if you are the female partner of the biological mother (duomoeder). The following also applies:

• Your child does not yet have a legal father;
• If your child already has 2 parents, they can never be acknowledged by a further person;
• If you are under guardianship, the authorisation of the judge is required;
• If you are not allowed to marry the mother because you are a blood relation, you may not acknowledge the child;
•  You cannot acknowledge a deceased child;
• If you are the biological father, you cannot undo the acknowledgement at a later stage.

When acknowledging your first child, you can choose the last name that he or she will have: the mother's surname or your own. If you want the child to have your name, the mother must accompany you to the municipality. The mother's authorisation in writing is not sufficient.

If you do not make a choice, then the child is automatically given their mother's last name. All subsequent children in the family are given the same last name as the first child.

Acknowledgement and choice of name is free of charge.

The municipality is not always able to process the acknowledgement immediately. This depends on the child's personal circumstances and those of the person acknowledging them. The acknowledgement takes longer if the child was born before 1985 or if the person acknowledging them is not of Dutch nationality.

The municipality is not always able to process the acknowledgement immediately. This depends on the child's personal circumstances and those of the person acknowledging them. The acknowledgement takes longer if the child was born before 1985 or if the person acknowledging them is not of Dutch nationality.