Municipality of Oldenzaal: acknowledging parenthood of your child

Do you want to acknowledge a child? Then these are the most important conditions:

• You are 16 years or older.
• You are not related to the mother.
• There are not already 2 parents.
• Is the child 12 years or older? Then the child must agree with the recognition.
• Are you under guardianship? Then you need permission from the subdistrict court.

You submit your application for recognition to the municipality. This can be before the birth or after the birth of the child. Is it the first child in the relationship? Then the mother goes to the municipality for the choice of name.

You need:

• The valid identity document of the mother of the child.
• If you are not the mother: your own valid proof of identity.
• If the child is not yet 12 years old: mother goes to the municipality or gives written permission.
• If the child is 12, 13, 14 or 15 years old: mother and child go to the municipality, or give written permission.
• if it is 16 years or older: the child goes to the municipality or gives written permission.

Do you recognize the child at the municipality before it is born? In that case, keep the copy that you receive after the acknowledgment. You will need this when registering your birth.

If it concerns the acknowledgment of a second child from the same relationship, you can use the attached form for the partner to declare the acknowledgment.

• 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.

You pay a fee for for an akte van erkenning (acknowledgement of parenthood certificate). For more information, contact the municipality.

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.

Do you disagree with the council's decision? Then file an appeal with the court.