Applying for a copy of a birth certificate in the Netherlands

Do you want a copy of your birth certificate (geboorteakte)? You can request an official copy (afschrift), extract (uittreksel) or a multilingual international extract (meertalig internationaal uittreksel). You can do this in the municipality where you were born.

You won't receive your original birth certificate that the municpality has on file. You can choose from an an official copy, extract or a multilingual international extract.

Official copy of birth certificate

This is a copy of the birth certificate record held by the municipality. The municipality puts a stamp on it. The official copy has the same information as your original birth certificate.

Extract of a birth certificate

The extract of the birth certificate contains the following information:  

your surname;
your first name(s);
your place of birth;
your date of birth.

Details regarding your parents are not included in the extract.

Multilingual international extract of birth certificate

The multilingual international extract is an up-to-date summary of your birth certificate for international use. It provides an explanatory statement in:

Dutch;
English;
French;
German;
Spanish;
Greek;
Italian;
Portuguese;
Turkish;
Serbo-Croatian.

You request a copy of your birth certificate in the municipality where you were born.

Were you born outside the Netherlands? Do you want to request a copy of your birth certificate? If so, contact the Registrar of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships in the country in which you were born. Is your birth certificate registered with the municipality of Den Haag (The Hague)? If so, you can apply for a copy there.

This is how it works for you

Your (future) place of residence falls under:

Municipality of Montferland

Here is some information from your municipality.

Copy (extract) of Civil Status

The Civil Registry creates and stores official documents of important events. These documents are called deeds. Some examples of deeds are birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates and death certificates.

Request a copy or an extract

You can request a copy or an extract of a deed from the municipality where the deed was made, which is always the municipality where the fact occurred. Tell us why your need the copy or the extract. You may request an extract for the following persons:

For yourself;
For your child. Even if they are older than 16 years of age;
For someone else, if this person has authorised you to do so. This can be in the form of a letter in which they express that they have authorised you to act on their behalf.

International extract

Extracts from the civil registry are available in several languages. Please let us know if you would like an international extract when making your request. Copies from the Civil Registry are only available in Dutch. If you need a copy in another language, you must arrange to have the copy translated by a sworn translator yourself.

Authorising someone else to act on your behalf

If you want someone else to make a request from the municipality on your behalf, you must provide them with a letter containing the following:

The reason why you need the copy or extract;
Your full name and the full name of the person authorised to act on your behalf;
Your signature;
The signature of the person authorised to act on your behalf.

Additionally, the person authorised to act on your behalf needs to take a copy of your proof of identity with them when making the request, as well as their own original proof of identity.

When making a request online your will need:

Your DigiD;
Your online banking details.

Applying in person

Valid proof of identity;
Debit card or cash.

Applying in writing

A copy of your proof of identity;
A letter stating why you need the copy or extract;
Your signature on the letter;

A copy is a complete copy of the deed with a stamp and the signature of the civil registrar. An extract only contains personal details.

Request a copy or an extract

For yourself;
For your child. Even if they are older than 16 years of age;
For someone else, if this person has authorised you to do so. This can be in the form of a letter in which they express that they have authorised you to act on their behalf.

International extract

Authorising someone else to act on your behalf

If you want someone else to make a request from the municipality on your behalf, you must provide them with a letter containing the following:

The reason why you need the copy or extract;
Your full name and the full name of the person authorised to act on your behalf;
Your signature;
The signature of the person authorised to act on your behalf.

Additionally, the person authorised to act on your behalf needs to take a copy of your proof of identity with them when making the request, as well as their own original proof of identity.

For an up-to-date overview of fees, please consult the fee ordinance at www.overheid.nl.

Do you intend to request the copy or extract at the municipal desk in person? If the original deed is in the municipality's archives, you will be provided with a copy immediately, even if you have authorised someone else to act on your behalf in this matter. If the original deed is not the municipality's archives, then it will be sent to you later by post.

If you request a copy or extract online or in writing, you will receive it by post. This takes 1 to 3 working days.

Please note, in some cases we need to retrieve the relevant register from the central archive.
In such a case, it will take 10 days for your document to be sent.

You can request an extract quickly and easily by clicking on the button 'Request a copy (extract) from the Civil Registry'. Copies and extracts are always printed on security paper and therefore cannot be sent digitally.

More information