Registering a birth
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 duomoeder (mother's female partner) can register the birth.
Last updated on 7 September 2022
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Registering a birth within 3 days of delivery
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 ambtenaar van de burgerlijke stand (Registrar of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships) will inform the officier van justitie (public prosecutor). You may then have to pay a fine.
Birth of a baby registered by the mother, father or mother's female partner
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:
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someone who was present at the birth;
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the owner of the house in which the child was born;
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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.
Registering the birth of a baby born in a vehicle
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 geboorteakte (birth certificate) 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).
Documents needed to register a birth
Bring these documents with you when registering a birth at the municipality:
- A valid form of identification.
- An akte van erkenning (acknowledgement of parenthood) or akte van erkenning of naamskeuze (declaration of last name choice) if issued before the birth.
- A declaration of birth, issued by the hospital or midwife.
Birth certificate on registration of birth
The civil registrar at the municipality will issue the birth certificate. This is written proof that you have registered the birth of your child.
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).
The birth certificate is the official proof of birth, and also proves who the child’s parents are.
Registering a stillbirth
A different procedure applies if your baby is stillborn.
Laws and regulations (in Dutch)
Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 1, artikel 19a en 19e