Municipality of Zwolle: acknowledging parenthood of your child
You must go to the municipality in person to officially acknowledge parenthood of your child and to choose a surname. This is possible in every municipality in the Netherlands. You must make an appointment to do this.
If you do not hold Dutch citizenship or you live outside the Netherlands, other rules may apply. You will receive more information and advice about your personal situation during your appointment.
- Consent of the mother and/or child aged 16 or older
- Valid ID of both parents
For recognition documents from abroad are required if:
- the child was born abroad.
- you have not always lived in the Netherlands.
- 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: € 15,70.
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.
Questions about this topic?
Contact the Municipality of Zwolle