Municipality of Stichtse Vecht: acknowledging parenthood of your child

• you must be 16 years of age or older in order to acknowlegde the child
• you must not be related to the mother
• there must not already be 2 parents

Before birth

Bring:

• a valid proof of identity from yourself
• A valid identity document of the mother
• The mother must come with you if it is the first child in your relationship.
• If it is not the first child in your relationship, the mother does not have to come along to the appointment. However, the form "Consent to recognition of unborn child" must be completed and brought to the appointment if the mother does not come along.

After the birth of the child

If the child is younger than 12 years old

• a valid identity document from yourself (recognizer) and the mother
• personal or written consent of the mother. The mother must come along personally if you want the child to be given the surname of the acknowledger
• If your child was not born in Stichtse Vecht, please also bring a recent copy of the birth certificate.

If the child is between 12 and 16 years old

• a valid identity document of yourself (recognizer) and the mother
• personal or written consent of the mother and child. The mother must come along personally if you want the child to be given the surname of the acknowledger
• If your child was not born in Stichtse Vecht, please also bring a recent copy of the birth certificate.

If the child is 16 years old or older

• the child himself/herself. He or she must choose what his/her surname will be
• a valid identity document of yourself and the child
• personal consent of the child. The mother does not have to give permission anymore when the child is 16 or older
• If your child was not born in Stichtse Vecht, please also bring a recent copy of the birth certificate.

Before the birth

Are you expecting a child and are not married to your partner or in a registered partnership? Then the father or duo mother can acknowledge the child. You do not have to be the biological parent to do this.

Acknowledgment means that you assume legal parenthood of a child. You get a duty of care and education for the child. The child receives inheritance rights and can take your last name upon acknowledgement.

Acknowledging during pregnancy

• This has the advantage that legal parenthood is already established at that time. The surname of the child can also be established.
• The child also has two parents, even if something happens to the person who acknowledged the child before the birth registration. Therefore, we recommend choosing this option. Even with a subsequent child from the same relationship.
• For the first child: the mother must come along in person if you want the child to have the surname of the acknowledger. If you want the child to have the mother's last name, the mother can give written consent.
• For a second or subsequent child: the mother must again give consent. This can be done in writing. A second or subsequent child from the same relationship automatically receives the same last name as the first child.

Choosing a last name

When acknowledging the 1st child you always record the child's last name. Children from the same relationship automatically get the last name of the 1st child. See also Choosing a child's last name.

You want the child to be given the surname of the acknowledger.

Then the mother must come along in person when recognizing the 1st child. For a 2nd and subsequent child from the relationship, written consent from the mother is sufficient.

You want the child to have the surname of the mother

Then the mother does not have to come along personally to the acknowledgment. She can also give written consent. For a 2nd or subsequent child from the relationship, the mother can give written consent in both cases.

Arranging custody separately

Acknowledgement does not give you parental authority over the child. This must be arranged by the court. You can register custody with the court after the birth of your child. You can do this at www.rechtspraak.nl.

After the birth of the child

Acknowledge your child at the time of birth

You must do this in the municipality where the child was born. The mother must come in person if you want the child to carry the surname of the acknowledger. This only applies to the first child in the relationship.

Acknowledging your child after the birth declaration

You can still acknowledge a (older) child in any Dutch municipality after the birth registration. The recognition is valid from the date you recognize the child, not from the birth.

• If the child is younger than 12 years old: personal or written consent of the mother. The mother has to come along personally if you want the child to be given the acknowledger's last name.
• if the child is between 12 and 16 years old: personal or written consent of the mother and the child. The mother has to come along personally if you want the child to have the surname of the acknowledging person
• if the child is 16 or older: the child must be present in person at the recognition. He or she must choose what his/her last name will be. The child gives consent in person. The mother no longer needs to give consent when the child is 16 years of age or older

Choosing a last name

When acknowledging the 1st child, you always record the child's last name. Children from the same relationship automatically receive the surname of the first child. See also Choosing a child's last name.

You want the child to be given the surname of the acknowledger

Then the mother must come along in person when acknowledging the first child.

You want the child to get the surname of the mother

Then the mother does not have to come along personally at the recognition. She can also give written consent for the acknowledgement. With a 2nd or subsequent child from the relationship, the mother can give written consent for acknowledgment in both cases.