HomeEnglishRecognising a child before or after birth
Recognising a child before or after birth
If you are not married or not a registered partner with the mother of your child, you can officially recognise your child at the town hall. To do so, make an appointment at the Public Affairs Desk first. When you recognise your child, you will also establish what your child’s surname will be. When you have recognised your child, you will not automatically have authority over the child. Parental authority can be arranged via the Civil Justice website.(Externe link)
• A valid passport or identity document of the mother and you (the person recognising the child).
• If the mother is not present: you will need to bring the signed, written permission of the mother. Please note: the mother must be present for the first child. With the second child, the mother no longer needs to be present.
Recognition prior to the birth (recognition of the unborn foetus)
The advantage to this is that the child has two legal parents from this moment on, also when something happens before the birth to the person who has recognised the child.
You can also already choose the surname of your child.
Recognition upon birth
If the mother is also present, she can give permission to recognising the child and the choice of surname.
If the mother is not, she can give her (written) permission for recognising the child but not for the choice of surname. The child will automatically be given the mother’s surname.
Recognition after birth
Recognition is only possible if no father is stated on the birth certificate.
For children up to the age of 16 years old, the mother must give her written permission.
Starting from the age of 12, the child can also give permission on their own.
If you make no choice, your child will automatically be given the surname of the mother. If you choose the surname of the father or the co-mother, both parents must be present when recognising the child. The surname you choose for your first child shall also apply to all of the children that follow from the same parents.
