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

Your (future) place of residence falls under:

Municipality of Goeree-Overflakkee

Here is some information from your municipality.

Register a birth

Legal parents who were present at the birth can register the birth digitally. The url of the declaration form can be found under the heading 'url application form'.

If none of the legal parents is in a position to register the birth, the registration can also be made by someone else who was present at the birth of the child. In that case, contact the municipality via the general telephone number 14 0187.

Of course, you can still register your birth at the town hall. You must make an appointment at least one working day in advance with the Customer Contact Center of the municipality.

Make an appointment

Choice last name

As a parent, you determine which surname your child will receive. You can only choose the surname for your first child. You can do this before the birth or when registering the birth. All subsequent children in the family will automatically have the same surname as your first child.

Other nationality

If your child does not have Dutch nationality, you may not be able to determine yourself which surname your child will receive. This depends on the country of your child's nationality. Ask about this at the embassy or consulate.

Birth registration deceased child

Did your child live for a short time after the birth, but did he or she die before the birth registration? In that case, a birth certificate will first be drawn up in the municipality where your child was born. A death certificate is then drawn up in the municipality where your child died.

The father or (duo) mother registers the birth. Can't the father or (duo) mother? Then someone who was present at the birth makes the declaration. Was there no one else present? Then the declaration can also be made by:

an inhabitant of the house in which the child was born
the head of the institution (e.g. hospital) where the child was born

You must register the birth with the municipality in which the child was born. You can do that online. The declaration form can be found under the heading 'URL application form below.

You can also register the birth at the town hall.

If you choose that:

Make an appointment with the municipality
You go to the municipality.
You take with you:
- your valid ID
- a valid identity document of the mother from whom the child was born
If necessary, bring with you:
- the birth certificate from the hospital or the obstetrician
- your marriage or partnership booklet, if you want the municipality to state your child's name in it.
- a copy of the certificate of recognition of the unborn child. You received this copy with the acknowledgment.
- a statement of parenthood from the Foundation donor data artificial insemination.
- proof of registration stating your marital status, if you live abroad.