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 Oudewater

Here is some information from your municipality.

Municipality of Oudewater: Applying for a copy of a birth certificate

- You (or the person for whom you are requesting the birth certificate) must have been born in Woerden.
- You can only request a birth certificate for yourself or your child, partner, spouse or heir.
- You cannot request someone else's birth certificate online (only by appointment).

If you request your birth certificate online, you need:

- Your DigiD

If you request your birth certificate via an appointment at the town hall:

- Your valid ID
- If you request the birth certificate of someone else: a valid proof of identity and written authorization from this person. You do not need authorization for your child.

Requesting a birth certificate from within the Netherlands

You can request your birth certificate online or make an appointment with the municipality.

Requesting a birth certificate from abroad

If you were born in Woerden and do not reside in the Netherlands, you can request your birth certificate by e-mail: burgerzaken@oudewater.nl. Or by post to the following address:

Gemeente Oudewater t.a.v. Afdeling Burgerzaken
Postbus 100
3420 DC Oudewater

State your name, address and date of birth in the application. Sign the application with your signature. And enclose a copy of a valid proof of identity.

Please visit the website of the Oudewater municipality for an overview of current costs.

Applying in the Netherlands

If you request your birth certificate online, you will receive your certificate by post within 3 working days. If you request your birth certificate via an appointment at the town hall, you will receive your certificate immediately.

Applying from outside the Netherlands

The municipality will send the birth certificate to your address outside the Netherlands within 2 weeks. The time taken by the postal service varies from country to country.

More information