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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:
Informatie:

Here is some information from your municipality.

Municipality of Moerdijk: Registering a birth

You can submit the birth registration to us online. A statement from the obstetrician or general practitioner must be enclosed. Other supporting documents, such as a donor declaration from a co-mother or proof of a recognized unborn fetus, can also be submitted electronically.

When to report?

You must file a declaration within three days.

BirthdayLatest day of declaration
MondayThursday
TuesdayFriday
WednesdayMonday
ThursdayMonday
FridayTuesday
SaturdayTuesday
SundayWednesday

If the last day falls on a public holiday, you can file the return on the next working day.

If you register the birth too late, the municipality will report this to the Public Prosecution Service and you risk a fine.

Who can report?

  • The mother (is not required);
  • The father (is obligatory), if not possible, then the one who was present at the birth.

  • Your valid proof of identity;
  • A valid proof of identity of the mother;
  • Possibly a marriage booklet or partnership booklet, so that the child can be added to it;
  • In case of dual motherhood (child born within a registered partnership or marriage between 2 women, with an unknown donor): the statement issued by the Donor Data Artificial Insemination Foundation ;
  • If the child was recognized before birth: the deed of recognition;
  • If applicable: the deed of choice of name.

If the civil registrar has doubts about the integrity of the declaration, he can ask for a statement from the doctor or midwife who supervised the delivery.

Submit online

You can register a birth online  with DigiD. A statement from the obstetrician or general practitioner must be enclosed. Other supporting documents, such as a donor declaration from a co-mother or proof of an acknowledgment of an unborn child, can also be submitted electronically.

At the counter in the town hall

You can only register a birth by  appointment . The civil registrar then draws up a birth certificate. 

Certificate for child who was born stillless

From now on, parents with a child who was born stillless will receive a birth certificate. It states that the child was born lifeless. As of February 3, 2019, a law amendment has been implemented that makes it possible to list stillborn children on the parent's person list: Registering stillborn child

Declaration in the case of a child who dies shortly after birth

If the child dies within the declaration period of three working days, the parents must make a declaration. Both a birth certificate and a death certificate will be drawn up.

More information

A copy or extract of a civil status certificate costs € 14.30. 

A multilingual extract from a civil status certificate costs € 14.30.

Questions about this topic?

Contact the Municipality of Moerdijk

Last updated on 22 September 2022