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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.

Registering a birth

You declare the birth of a child within 3 days in the municipality where the child was born. The father or mother makes the declaration. If circumstances prevent this, someone else can do the declaration. Birth registration can be done digitally or in person by appointment. 

Registering

The father or duo mother is legally obliged to register the birth. The mother may also register the birth herself. If the father, co-mother or mother is unable to do so, someone else must do it. 

After the birth, you have 3 days to register the birth:

Day of birthDeadline for declaring birth
MondayThursday
TuesdayFriday
WednesdayMonday
ThursdayMonday
FridayTuesday
SaturdayTuesday
SundayWednesday

Online

You can communicate the birth online if at least one of the parents has Dutch nationality. Logging in with DigiD is compulsory.  

Report the birth online.  

In person

You can announce the birth in person at the reception desk. Please make an appointment first.  

For birth registration, please bring along:

  • A valid proof of identity.  
  • A proof of birth, given by the hospital or midwife.  
  • If the child's parents are married, the marriage certificate.

Sometimes the following is also required:

  • Do you want to choose the surname? If so, the biological mother must be present.  
  • If you have previously arranged this: the deed of name selection.  
  • If the child was acknowledged before birth: the acknowledgement certificate.  
  • If you want to acknowledge the child now.  
  • If the child was born within a registered partnership or marriage between 2 women with an unknown donor: donor declaration from the Donor Data Foundation.

Costs

The birth declaration is free of charge. You pay a fee to apply for a birth certificate. For more information, contact the municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch via telephone number +31 73 - 615 51 55 or send an e-mail via the digital contact form.  

Citizen service number

Within 4 weeks after the birth registration, parents will receive their child's Citizen Service Number (BSN) by post. They receive this from the municipality where the child is registered.  

Parenthood

By law, a man becomes the father of any child born within his marriage or registered partnership with the mother. Within a marriage or registered partnership of 2 women, the 'duo mother' can also become a mother according to the law. For this, bring a declaration from the Donor Data Foundation with you when you declare your birth.  

Name choice

A child is automatically given the father's surname if it is born within a marriage or partnership. This also applies to the surname of the duo mother when there is no known donor. Does your child not get the name you want in this way? Then you can make a name choice. Do this before the child's birth or, at the latest, at the time of the birth declaration.  

You can only choose a surname for the first child in your relationship. Subsequent children will be given the same surname. An absolute requirement for name selection is that the biological mother has to come to the municipality in person.  

Residence permit

If a child is born in the Netherlands who does not have Dutch nationality, a residence permit must be applied for after registration in the BRP. The residence permit application can be done online.  

Further information

For the application, costs and conditions, please contact the municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch via telephone or WhatsApp +31 73 - 615 51 55 or send an e-mail via the digital contact form.

Questions about this topic?

Contact the Municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch

Visiting addresses

Hoff van Hollantlaan 1

5243SR Rosmalen

Opening hours
Monday
08.30 - 17.00
Tuesday
08.30 - 12.00
Wednesday
08.30 - 20.00
Thursday
08.30 - 12.00
Friday
08.30 - 17.00
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Wolvenhoek 1

5211HH 's-Hertogenbosch

Opening hours
Monday
08.30 - 17.00
Tuesday
08.30 - 17.00
Wednesday
08.30 - 17.00
Thursday
08.30 - 20.00
Friday
08.30 - 17.00
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
Last updated on 22 September 2022