Registering a stillborn baby in the Netherlands

A stillbirth is registered with the municipality in which the child was born. The municipality then issues a birth certificate (geboorteakte) for a stillbirth. It does not matter how long the pregnancy lasted.

A birth certificate for a stillbirth is an official document, proving that your baby was born.

The birth certificate for a stillbirth is recorded in the Registers van de burgerlijke stand (Register of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships)

Choosing a surname for a stillborn baby

You may choose your child’s surname, which can be either the father’s or the mother’s surname. This choice does not affect the names of any subsequent children, meaning that you can choose a different surname in the future.

You can also register your stillborn baby in the Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen – BRP) if you wish. This is a different procedure from registering the birth of your baby as stillborn.

This is how it works for you

Your (future) place of residence falls under:

Municipality of Bernheze

Here is some information from your municipality.

Stillborn baby

You can register your stillborn baby in the Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen – BRP).

A Verklaring van overlijden (death certificate). You will receive this from the doctor.
Proof of your identity (passport, identity card or driving licence).
Your trouwboekje (Livret de Famille or Family Book) (if you have one).
An extract or official copy of an Erkenningsakte (acknowledgement of parenthood certificate) (if you have one).
An official copy of an Akte van naamskeuze (surname choice certificate (if you have one).

If your child was stillborn, make an appointment with the municipality where your child was born to register the birth. It is possible to acknowledge parenthood (erkenning) of your stillborn child upon registration. You can also have your child recorded in your trouwboekje (Livret de Famille or Family Book).

To register your stillborn child, call the municipality of Bernheze on +31 (0) 412 45 88 88.

It is free to have a certificate drawn up.

More information