Registering a death in the Netherlands
Would you like to report the death of a loved one or someone else? Usually the funeral director will declare the death, but you can also do this yourself. This should be done at the municipality where your loved one died.
When you go to the municipality to register a death, you will need to bring the death statement (verklaring van overlijden) with you. This will be given to you by the doctor who confirmed the death. The death statement is made up of 2 parts: the A-verklaring where the death is officially declared and the B-verklaring which states the cause of death.
After a death has been registered, the Registrar of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships (ambtenaar van de burgerlijke stand) issues the death certificate (Akte van overlijden). The personal details of the deceased appear on the certificate, as well as the name of the informant. It is possible to obtain an excerpt of the certificate.
After issuing the death certificate, the municipality amends the information held on the deceased in the Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen – BRP).
The municipality also issues a document in which it gives permission for the funeral: either the authorisation for burial (verlof tot begraven) or the authorisation for cremation (verlof tot cremeren).
Did the deceased indicate that they wanted to donate their body to science? Then you will be issued a authorisation for dissection (verlof tot ontleding).
You must register a death within 6 working days, and always before the funeral.
This is how it works for you
Here is some information from your municipality.
Municipality of Nieuwkoop: Registering a death
You file the declaration in the municipality where the person died. Usually the funeral director reports the death (death registration).
In the Netherlands, a deceased person must be buried or cremated within six days of death. The civil registrar must issue a permit for this. It is therefore best to file a declaration (or have it done) with the municipality within five days. You can find more information about everything you need to arrange after a death on the site of the Rijksoverheid (Government).
- Your valid proof of identity (passport, driver's license, Dutch identity card or residence permit).
- A doctor's statement of the death (a so-called A statement).
- Envelope with an explanation of the cause of death certificate (a so-called B form).
Declaration by next of kin
You can register a death yourself. You do this in the municipality where your loved one died. To do this, make an appointment with the municipality of Nieuwkoop via the digital appointment system or via telephone number +31 172 521100.
Online declaration by funeral directors
You can also ask a funeral director to file a declaration for you. Funeral directors established in the Netherlands can submit a declaration online.
Death abroad
If a resident of the municipality of Nieuwkoop has died abroad, this must be reported to the municipality. You must submit a death certificate. Depending on the country of death, the municipality may ask for legalization or an apostille. Was the death certificate drawn up in a language other than Dutch, German, English or French? Then you must have the deed translated by an interpreter/translator who is sworn in the Netherlands. You can also try to request an international deed. More information about death abroad can be found on the website of the Rijksoverheid (Government).
Report stillborn child
Was your child stillborn after a pregnancy of more than 24 weeks? Then you must report this to the municipality where the birth took place within five days. The mother and the father may report. But also the hospital or the funeral director.
If you, as a parent, want to file the declaration yourself, you can make an appointment by calling +31 172 521100. A 'certificate of a stillborn child' will be drawn up. This is also possible if the pregnancy has lasted less than 24 weeks. The certificate is included in the death register of the municipality where the birth took place.
Did the child come into the world alive, but died within three days? Then the parents have to report it. Both a birth certificate and a death certificate will be drawn up.
Registering a death is free. You do have to pay for the application for a death certificate. For more information, please contact the municipality of Nieuwkoop via info@nieuwkoop.nl or call +31 172 521100.
- As a surviving dependant, you receive the extract from the death certificate and the verlof tot begraven of cremeren (permission for burial or cremation) immediately.
- Funeral homes should receive the extract and any other documents on the same working day or, at the latest, the next working day.
Questions about this topic?
Contact the Municipality of Nieuwkoop
Visiting address
Teylersplein 1
2441LE Nieuwveen
| Monday | 8:30 - 17:00 |
| Tuesday | 8:30 - 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 8:30 - 17:00 |
| Thursday | 8:30 - 20:00 |
| Friday | 8:30 - 13:00 |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |