Choosing a child's last name

With your first child, you can choose the last name. You can give your child your own last name, your partner's last name, or a combined last name. All subsequent children of you and your partner together will then automatically receive the same last name as your first child. 

When you choose the last name

Before the birth or at the birth registration, you record the surname with the municipality. You and your partner go to the municipality together to have your child's last name recorded. Call 14 0511 for an appointment at the town hall.

Often the mother cannot be present at the birth registration. It is therefore best to visit the municipality together before the birth.

Choosing double surnames

As of Jan. 1, 2024, a new law goes into effect: Introduction of Combined Sex Name. This means that you as parents cannot give your child only 1 surname. You can also give your child a combination of both your last names.

An example
Parents de Vries and Jansen will have their first child in 2024. They can choose surnames:

  1. de Vries
  2. Jansen
  3. de Vries Jansen
  4. Jansen de Vries

What surname does a child receive at birth?

You may choose which surname your child will have: your own or your partner's. If you do not make a choice, your child will automatically be given the surname that according to the law belongs to your family situation. To find out, visit rijksoverheid.nl.

All children same last name

The last name you choose for your first child also applies to all subsequent children from the same relationship.

Double surname

If your first child is born together on or after Jan. 1, 2024, you can also give your child a combination of both your last names. Read more above under the heading Choosing dual surnames.

How can I choose my child's last name?

Your child may be automatically given the father's or mother's last name at birth. If the child is not given the name you want in this way, you must choose a name. This involves choosing the surname of the father, the mother or the person who acknowledged the child.

Terms

Furthermore, when making a name choice for the last name of your (newborn) child, at least one of the parents must have Dutch nationality.

How?

For name selection, go to the town hall in person with your partner. This can only be done by appointment.

Make an appointment

Bring

  • Valid proof of identity of yourself
  • Valid ID of your partner

At City Hall, you will make the declaration of name choice together.

The possibilities

These are the rules for making name choices:

  • Married parents and parents with registered partnerships
    Married parents and parents with registered partnerships can make name choices before the birth or at the time of the birth declaration.
  • Non-married parents
    Non-married parents must make name choices when recognizing your child. Do you not make a choice of name when acknowledging the first child? Then all children from this relationship will also receive the mother's last name.
  • Single parent
    Are you a single parent (widow or widower) and your partner died before you made the name choice? Then you can choose the father's or mother's last name for your child.

Cost

Name selection is free.

Please note that the surname you choose for your first child together applies to all children born from that same relationship. This choice of name is possible for children of Dutch nationality.

I am getting married. Can I change my children's last name?

Did you choose a name when you recognized your first child? And are you planning to marry or enter into a registered partnership with the other parent of your child(ren)? Then you can choose the name of your child(ren) once again. In doing so, you can choose only the surname of the other parent or, since January 1, 2024, a combination of both family names.

Procedure

This name change can only be done on the day you get married or register your partnership. You must then both sign a deed of choice of name. After that, name change is no longer possible.

Therefore, let the registrar at the municipality where you are getting married or registering your partnership know well in advance that you want to change your child(ren)'s last name. Do this, for example, when making the Declaration of Marriage/Partnership Registration or when reserving the date and location.

Age of children

Do you have several children under the age of sixteen? Then you can only change names for all these children together. Is your child older than sixteen? Then the child must also add his or her own signature.

Cost

The name change is free.

Please note that the choice of name made at the time of recognition can only be changed upon marriage or partnership of the parents.

How do I change my stepchild's or foster child's last name to mine?

Stepchildren and foster children can be given the last name of their educator. The request for a name change must be made to Dienst Justis.

Request

An application form for name change can be downloaded from the website of Dienst Justis. There you will also find a brochure on name change.

Your request must include a copy of the birth certificate of the person(s) for whom you are requesting a name change. In addition, other documents may be required. Please refer to the brochure.

Decision

The ministry will decide on your request. A positive decision is processed in your municipality's Basic Registration of Persons (BRP). 

Can my child choose his or her own last name?

A child who is 16 years of age or older upon recognition or adoption chooses his or her own last name.

A child aged 18, 19 or 20 can change one parent's choice once. The child can choose the other parent's name by requesting a name change.