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.
The birth of a stillborn baby is registered with the municipality where your baby was born. For any questions, please contact the municipality.
This is how it works for you
Here is some information from your municipality.
Registering a stillbirth
A stillbirth can be a devastating, harrowing experience. We therefore help you as best we can with the paperwork.
When and where to register?
You must must register the stillbirth before the burial or cremation in the municipality where your child was born. The municipality will draw up a birth certificate for a stillbirth.
Who can register the stillbirth?
- one of the parents
- the funeral director
- someone who was present at the birth, e.g. a friend or family member
- hospital staff
Registering a stillbirth
Please make an appointment to register a stillbirth by calling 14 043.
Permission for funeral or cremation
You will need our permission (leave) to bury or cremate your stillborn child. You will get permission immediately once you have registered your child’s stillbirth
If the pregnancy was less than 24 weeks and your child did not live or lived for less than 24 hours, permission (leave) is not required by law. However, it is possible to get leave in this situation. Please call 14 043 for more information.
Registration in the BRP
You can register your stillborn child in the Basisregistratie Personen - BRP (Personal Records Database). This is not compulsory and is only done upon request.
- valid proof of identity of the person registering the stillbirth
- certificate of death issued by the attending physician
- B-envelope (intended for Statistics Netherlands) containing the physician's information on your child's death
The certificate is free of charge. An afschrift (copy) of the certificate costs €14.30 (in 2022).
Questions about this topic?
Contact the Municipality of Maastricht
Visiting address
Mosae Forum 10
6211DW Maastricht
| Monday | 08:30 - 16:30 |
| Tuesday | 08:30 - 16:30 |
| Wednesday | 08:30 - 16:30 |
| Thursday | 13:30 - 19:00 |
| Friday | 08:30 - 12:30 |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |