Registering a birth in the Netherlands

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.