Same-sex marriage

In the Netherlands it is possible for two men or two women to marry. 

International status of same-sex marriage

Although a marriage for same-sex couples is nowadays possible in more countries, spouses will always bear in mind that their marriage and its consequences will not be accepted in every country.

Parental status of duomoeders

In the Netherlands a duomoeder (the female partner of the birth mother) can become the child’s legal parent without recourse to the courts. Either she is automatically the child’s legal parent from birth or she can acknowledge the child. Acknowledgement is a simple procedure that can be completed with the Registrar of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Registered Partnerships.