Birth declaration

You report the birth in the municipality where your child was born. Report the birth within 3 days of the day of birth. Does one of those three days fall on a weekend or on a generally recognized holiday? Then file the declaration on the next working day. A handy overview of the last day to register your birth can be found under the heading Until what day can you register your birth?

Filing a birth certificate online

To file a birth certificate online, you must meet the following requirements:

• You or the other parent has Dutch nationality;
• you both have DigiD. Is there no father? Then only the mother can file the declaration;
• You have a deed of recognition if you are not married or registered partners.

Birth registration at city hall

In the following situations, you cannot file an online birth certificate and must make an appointment to register at the town hall:

• You are not married or registered partners, and your child has not been recognized prior to the declaration of birth;
• You want to make name choices at the time of the birth declaration;
• Both of you do not have the Dutch nationality.

Is your obstetrician not listed? Or have you been given a written declaration? Then you can declare the birth with this online form.

Are you making the birth declaration at the city hall? If so, please bring the following with you: 

• valid ID of the person making the declaration;
• valid ID of the mother;
• statement from the doctor or midwife (if you have one);
• marriage booklet for enrolling child(ren) (not required);
• copy of the acknowledgement certificate unborn child (if you have one);
• include an anonymous donor statement (if you have one) from the Foundation for Donor Data on Artificial Fertilization.

The child's father or duo mother is required to file the birth declaration. The mother from whom the child is born may file the declaration, but it is not mandatory. The baby does not have to accompany the birth declaration.

If the father, duo mother or mother cannot file a declaration, the declaration must be filed by: 

• someone who was present at the birth, or: 
• The owner of the house in which the child was born, or: 
• an employee of the institution where the child was born (for example, the hospital). 

Do none of these persons file birth certificates? Then the declaration is made by or on behalf of the mayor of the municipality where the child was born. 

When you file the declaration depends on the day your child was born. The rule is that you file the declaration within three days after the day of birth. 

As parents, you decide which last name your child will have. You can only choose the last name for your first child. You can do this before the birth or at the time of the birth declaration. All subsequent children in the family will automatically be given the same last name as your first child. More information can be found on the page Choosing a child's last name.

Foreign nationality

If your newborn child does not have Dutch nationality, you may not be able to decide which last name your child will have. This depends on the country of your child's nationality. Ask about this at the embassy or consulate.

Has your baby lived for some time after delivery, but died before the birth registration? Then a birth certificate is first drawn up in the municipality where your child was born. Then a death certificate is prepared in the municipality where your baby died.