Registering a birth in the Netherlands
If you have just had a new baby, you must register the birth. This applies to all children born in the Netherlands. You must register the birth within 3 days in the municipality where they were born. The mother, father or the mother's female partner (duomoeder) can register the birth.
You must register the birth of a new baby within 3 days, not counting the day of the birth. For example, was your child born on a Monday? Then you must register the birth on Thursday at the latest.
If the third day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the deadline for registering the birth is extended until the next working day. If that means you have only 1 day to register the birth, you will be given an extra day, to ensure that there are always at least 2 days to register the birth.
Late birth registrations
If you are late registering the birth, then the Registrar of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships (ambtenaar van de burgerlijke stand) will inform the public prosecutor (officier van justitie). You may then have to pay a fine.
A baby’s birth can be registered by the mother, father or the mother's female partner.
If the mother, father or mother's female partner are not able to register the birth, then the birth can be registered by:
someone who was present at the birth;
the owner of the house in which the child was born;
an employee of the institution where the child was born, such as a hospital.
If none of these people are able to register the birth, the birth can be registered by or on behalf of the mayor of the municipality where the child was born, or where the child was found if they are a foundling.
You do not have to bring the baby with you when you register the birth.
If your baby was born in a vehicle, for example in a car, ambulance, train or aeroplane, you must register the birth at the place of arrival, i.e. the location where your baby leaves the vehicle. This applies if that location is in the Netherlands.
If your baby is born during an international flight or an international sea voyage and the location where you arrive is not in the Netherlands, there are 2 options:
- if the boat or aircraft is registered in the Netherlands, you must obtain a temporary birth certificate (geboorteakte) from the captain of the aircraft or boat.
- If the boat or aircraft is not registered in the Netherlands, you must obtain a birth certificate from the authorities in the local area.
When you arrive at your destination, you must obtain a temporary birth certificate at your place of arrival and send this as quickly as possible to the civil registrar in the municipality of Den Haag (The Hague).
The civil registrar at the municipality will issue the birth certificate. The birth certificate is the official proof of birth, and also proves who the child’s parents are.
The birth certificate contains the following information:
- the baby’s details, for example: name, date of birth, place of birth and time of birth;
- the personal details of the parent(s).
A different procedure applies if your baby is stillborn.
This is how it works for you
Here is some information from your municipality.
Declaration of birth
Did you have a child and was it born in the Netherlands? Make a declaration to the municipality where the child was born within three days after the birth. You can file a digital declaration or make an appointment at the municipal office.
You can declare the birth of a child by the following persons:
- The (legal) father or (legal) mother must declare the birth of their child.
- Can't they file a report? Then someone has to do it who was present at the birth. This can be a family member, the midwife, doctor or maternity nurse.
- Sometimes no one is present at the birth and the mother cannot register the birth herself. In that case, a co-resident of the house where the child was born must register the birth. Or the head of the hospital or clinic where the child was born.
- Is there no one who can file the report? Then the mayor or an official designated by him makes a declaration.
The municipality draws up a birth certificate for every birth that is declared. The birth certificate contains the first name or first names and the surname of the child. It also contains the names of the parents, date of birth, time and place. You can get a copy or extract of the birth certificate.
Make a declaration on time
Within 3 days after the birth of your child, you must report the matter to the municipality. At least 2 working days are included in this period and the term always ends on a working day.
You cannot make a declaration at the municipal office on Saturday, Sunday or a generally recognized public holiday. That is why you may sometimes also file a tax return a little later.
You take with you:
- valid proof of identity of the person making the report;
- valid identity document of the mother;
- statement from the doctor or midwife (if you have one);
- marriage certificate (not required);
- acknowledgment certificate unborn child (if you have such a certificate);
- deed of name choice (if you have such a deed).
Child born in a relationship of two mothers
The mother and co-mother who are married or have a registered partnership also take the following document with them with the declaration:
- Declaration of the Foundation donor data artificial insemination (only necessary if the donor is anonymous).
You can file a digital declaration or make an appointment at the municipal office.
Online
Go to the online form Declaration of birth
Make an appointment
- Online: https://www.culemborg.nl/afspraak-maken#select/
- E-mail: info@culemborg.nl
- Telephone: +31 345 477 700
The birth registration is free. A copy of the birth certificate costs € 14.30.
Questions about this topic?
Contact the Municipality of Culemborg
Visiting address
Ridderstraat 250
4100AC Culemborg
| Monday | 9:00 - 16:00 |
| Tuesday | 9:00 - 19:00 |
| Wednesday | 9:00 - 16:00 |
| Thursday | 9:00 - 16:00 |
| Friday | 9:00 - 12:00 |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |