Recognizing a child before or after birth

By acknowledging your child, you legally become the parent. You can acknowledge the child during pregnancy, when registering the birth, or after registering the birth. Each child must be acknowledged separately, and the mother must always give permission. Acknowledgement takes place at the civil registry office of the municipality (free of charge) or through a notary. 

Make an appointment for this.

Do you and/or your partner have a foreign nationality or do you live abroad? Then different rules may apply. Please contact us on 14 0511 for information and advice about your situation. 

What do I bring to the appointment? 

  • Valid identification of yourself.
  • If the mother comes along: valid proof of identity of the mother.

Extra requirements for recognition before the birth 

Extra requirements for recognition after the birth 

  • If the mother does not come along with a second or subsequent child together: valid proof of identity of yourself and the mother, written consent with signature of the mother via the form Declaration of consent recognition of child after birth.
  • Copy of the birth certificate if the child was not born in our municipality. 

Extra requirements for recognition of a child aged 12 to 16 

Extra requirements for recognition of a child by a co-mother 

  • Parental declaration from the Artificial Insemination Donor Data Foundation (only required if the donor is anonymous).

Joint parental custody through acknowledgment

Do you, as an unmarried or non-registered partner, recognize a child? Then, since January 1, 2023, you automatically have joint parental authority with the mother. With parental authority, you are the legal representative of your child. This allows you to make decisions about the upbringing and care of your child. You may also manage your child's assets.  

Would you like more information about this change in custody? Please visit the website of the Judiciary.

Sole custody to the mother? 

If you, as the mother, want sole parental authority over the child, you must personally attend the appointment for acknowledgment, even for a second or subsequent child. Here, you can both indicate that you, as the mother, will have sole authority. 

Choosing a child's last name

When acknowledging your first child together, you can choose which last name the child will receive: the mother's or the acknowledger's. All subsequent children in the family will automatically receive the same last name as your first child together. Read more about choosing your child's last name on the Choosing a Child's Last Name page.

When do I not have to acknowledge my child?

You do not need to acknowledge your child if you automatically become the legal parent. This is if you are the biological mother. A man or female co-parent automatically becomes the legal parent upon marriage or registered partnership with the mother. 

How do I acknowledge my child?

Before the birth (during pregnancy) 

  • For a first child together, both parents must personally attend the appointment for acknowledgment. 
  • For a second or subsequent child together, the mother must give permission again. This can be done in writing by completing the form: Declaration of Consent for Acknowledgment of Unborn Child. 
  • If the mother wants sole parental authority, she and the person acknowledging paternity should attend the appointment for acknowledgment, even for a second or subsequent child. 

When registering a birth. 

  • You must register the birth of your child within 3 days.
  • You do this in the municipality where your child was born. 
  • You can immediately acknowledge your child when registering the birth.  
  • For a first child together, both parents must personally attend the appointment for acknowledgment. 
  • For a second or subsequent child together, the mother must give permission again. This can be done in writing by completing the form: Declaration of Consent for Acknowledgment of Child After Birth. 
  • If the mother wants sole parental authority, she and the person acknowledging paternity should attend the appointment for acknowledgment, even for a second or subsequent child.  

After the birth 

  • Is the child you want to acknowledge younger than 12 years? Then come to the municipality together with the mother to acknowledge the child. For a second or subsequent child, the mother can also give written consent. The mother fills in the form Declaration of consent to acknowledge a child after birth.  
  • Do you want to acknowledge a child between the ages of 12 and 16? Then you need written permission from the mother and the child. They must complete the form Declaration of consent for acknowledgement of a child after birth. If you do not receive permission from both of them, you can ask the court for alternative permission. This is only possible if you are the biological father of the child. 
  • Do you want to acknowledge a child of 16 years or older? Then you and the child go to the appointment together. The mother does not have to be there and does not have to give permission. 

How much does it cost to acknowledge a child?

There are no costs associated with acknowledging a child. 

What are the conditions for recognizing my child?

Recognition means that you are obliged to support your child. You also have the right to contact with your child after a divorce. The child acquires inheritance rights through recognition. 

The following rules also apply: 

  • You must be at least 16 years old to be able to acknowledge a child. 
  • The child does not yet have a legal father. 
  • Does the child already have 2 parents? Then it can never be recognized by someone else. 
  • Are you under guardianship? Then you need permission from the court. 
  • If you are not allowed to marry the mother due to blood relation, you cannot acknowledge the child. 
  • Are you the biological father? Then you cannot undo the acknowledgement later. 

Documents