Registering Birth

Conditions

You are legally qualified to register a birth if one of the following conditions is satisfied:

• You are the father or mother of the child.

• You were present at the birth.

• The birth took place in your house.

• You are the head or authorised person of the establishment where the birth took place (e.g. a hospital).

If there is nobody who is legally qualified or obliged to register the birth then the mayor or an officer from the relevant municipality designated by him will register the birth.

Costs

There are no charges for the registration of the birth itself. If you wish to have a copy of the registration of the birth then you need to pay €10.80 (2008 rates).

Birth certificate

The registrar of the Civil Registry (Burgerlijke Stand) draws up the birth certificate, which is signed by the person registering the birth as well as the registrar. The birth certificate is then included in the register of births. A copy or an extract (uittreksel) of the certificate can be obtained (also in international format). If one or both parents are registered in the Netherlands, the registrar will register the child at the home address.

Any future amendments to the birth certificate can be added to the certificate by the registrar of the Civil Registry.

Application

Registering a birth must be done in person at the Department of Civil Affairs (Burgerzaken) of an urban district council office (stadsdeelkantoor).

Documents to take along when registering a birth

• a valid identity document  (passport, driving licence, identity card or residence permit)

• marriage certificate (if the mother is married)

• if the child is already registered at a different municipality or with a civil-law notary (notaris), you must bring the relevant proof. Even if a name has already been chosen at the other municipality you must bring the relevant proof.

• details of the date and time of birth of the child.

The registrar of the Civil Registry is entitled to ask for proof from a doctor or midwife concerning the birth of the child.

Registering the birth within three days

A birth must be registered within three days. If one of these days is a weekend day or a bank holiday this period of time is extended in order to allow you two working days to register. You may register the birth on the day of the birth (if the Department of Civil Affairs is open).