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 Helmond

Here is some information from your municipality.

Registering a birth

Have you had a baby? Congratulations! You must register the birth at the municipality where the child was born within 3 working days. Is the third day a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday? Then you can still register on the first working day afterwards.

The registrar will draw up a birth certificate. This records where your child was born and his/her name. You can request a copy of the birth certificate for a fee.

Where can I ask questions about registering a birth?

If you have any questions about registering your child, please contact the Registry Office. You can contact them by telephone during office hours on 14 0492 (no prefix) or by e-mail: gemeente@helmond.nl.

The father or duo-mother must file the declaration. In case of a digital declaration, the mother can also file the declaration alone. Is the father or duo-mother unable to do this, or are you unable to make the declaration digitally? Then the declaration must be made by someone who was present at the birth. Was no one else present? Then the declaration can also be done by:

an occupant of the house in which the child was born;
the head of the institution (e.g. hospital) where the child was born;
the mayor or an official of the municipality of birth appointed by her, in the absence of persons authorised or obliged to report the birth (e.g. a foundling).

You register the birth at the municipality in which the child was born:

You can submit a digital birth declaration below. Logging in with DigiD (mother and father/duo mother or mother alone) is compulsory. If your child was acknowledged before the birth, please also include the proof of acknowledgement. You will need this when you declare the birth.
You can also register the birth in person at the Stadswinkel. Read below under "Registering the birth in the Stadswinkel" how this works.

Please note: Since 1 January 2020, your doctor or midwife must confirm the birth of your child if you digitally declare the birth. This is by virtue of the law. This means that we can only prepare a birth certificate after your doctor/ midwife has done so. We therefore ask you to enter the name of your doctor/obstetrician in the online declaration. If you do not enter any or the correct name, your declaration will be rejected. And then you will have to file another digital declaration.

Was your child born in the Elkerliek Hospital? And were you assisted by an obstetrician at a practice in Helmond? Or by a midwife from a practice in one of the neighbouring towns? Then choose the name of that practice when reporting online. We therefore ask you to enter the name of your doctor/ midwife in the online declaration. If you do not enter any or the correct name, your declaration will be rejected. And then you will have to file another digital declaration.

The above does not apply if you register in person at the Stadswinkel.

Registering a birth at the Stadswinkel

Although most birth registration is done digitally, you can still register your birth at the Stadswinkel. If you can come here within 3 days, make a digital appointment.
If this is not possible, please contact us by telephone. We will make an urgent appointment with you.

When registering online

If your child has already been recognised before birth, also get the proof of recognition. You will need this when registering the birth.

When registering at the Stadswinkel

This is how to register a birth:

You go to the municipality.
Bring the following with you:

your valid identity document
a valid identity document of the mother from whom the child was born

If necessary, you bring along:

the declaration of birth from the hospital or midwife;
your marriage or partnership booklet, if you want the municipality to write your child's name in it;
a copy of the document acknowledging the unborn child. You received this copy at the time of recognition;
a declaration from the Stichting Donorgegevens kunstmatige bevruchting (Foundation for the Donation of Artificial Fertilisation Data);
a certificate of registration stating your civil status, if you live abroad;
was your child born in the Elkerliek Hospital? Then bring the birth card you received there.

File an online declaration via DigiD.

There is no charge for birth registration. Would you like an extract of the birth certificate? This costs €15,70 (rate 2023). A multilingual model form costs € 21,20 (rate 2023). You pay this amount at the time of application.