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 Oldenzaal

Here is some information from your municipality.

Civil status, deed or copy

In the event of birth, death, marriage and partnership registration, the registrar of births, marriages and deaths draws up a certificate. The deeds are recorded in the civil registry of the municipality where the event took place. This means that you can only request the deed in Oldenzaal if you were actually born or married here. You can request an extract from the following deeds:

- birth certificate

- death certificate

- marriage certificate (or divorce)

- deed of partnership registration (or termination of partnership registration)

You can request your extract of civil status online. The extract will then be sent to you by post. Please note that it takes 5 working days before you have received the extract. Request an extract from Civil Registry online

You can also request the deed from the public desk at the town hall. For this you need an appointment. If you prefer not to schedule the appointment online, you can also do this by telephone on telephone number (0541) 58 81 11.

To request an extract or copy, you need a valid proof of identity.

Would you like to request a copy for someone else? You can if you:

Are the spouse or registered partner.
Are an heir.
Are the child or parent.
Are the legal representative.
Have been given permission (with authorization).

If you request the copy with permission, you will need the following:

A written authorization from the person for whom you are requesting the copy;
A copy of the valid ID of the person you are applying for;
Your own proof of identity.

Applying online

Were you born in the Netherlands? Do you live in the Netherlands and have a DigiD? If so, you can apply for your birth certificate online. You can also use your DigiD to apply for your birth certificate from outside the Netherlands.

Applying at the service desk

You can apply for your birth certificate at the service desk of your municipality. Take a valid identity document with you.

Applying from outside the Netherlands

No DigiD? You can also authorise someone to apply for the birth certificate for you at the service desk.

Alternatively, you can apply for your birth certificate by post:

Send a letter to the public desk.
In the letter, state your year of birth, name, address and what you need the certificate for.
Sign the letter. Attach a copy of your valid identity document.

A birth certificate costs: € 14.30.

You pay a fee for this service. For more information, contact the municipality.