Acknowledgement of Parenthood (AOP) after the birth
When the parents of a child are not married or in a registered partnership, the father or the birth mother's female partner can formally acknowledge parenthood. The acknowledgement can be arranged during the entire lifespan of the child. Even when he is an adult.
Conditions
- The person acknowledging parenthood must appear in person when acknowledging the child.
- Is the child younger than 12 years old? Then the birth mother must give permission for the acknowledgement of parenthood.
- Is the child between 12 and 16 years old? Then permission is required from both the birth mother and the child. he child must appear in person during the acknowledgement because the child must declare in person which surname he/she will take.
- Is the child older than 16 years old? Then only the permission of the child is needed for the acknowledgement. The child must appear in person during the acknowledgement because the child must declare in person which surname he/she will take.
Use this form for permission from the mother:
- Do you want the child (younger than 16) to get the surname of the person acknowledging parenthood? Then the birth mother has to appear in person during the acknowledgement of the 1st child for permission and to choose the surname.
- If the person acknowledging parenthood of the 1st child wants to acknowledge any later-born children, then the birth mother only has to give written permission. These children will get the same surname as the 1st child.
- Are one or both of the parents not registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) of the Municipality of The Hague? Then the Municipality of The Hague must first check the personal data at the municipality where the parent(s) is registered.
For more information go to the website of the Dutch government.
What you need for the acknowledgement
- a valid form of identification for the birth mother, a valid form of identification for the person acknowledging parenthood and, if available, a valid form of identification for the child.
- if applicable, the permission form from the mother for acknowledgement.
Does the birth mother, the person acknowledging parenthood and/or the child live abroad or was the child born outside of the Netherlands? Then additional documents could be required. Make an appointment using the green button below.
Make an appointment
To acknowledge the child after the birth, you need to make an appointment at a city office.
Consequences of acknowledegment
The consequences of acknowledging parenthood are:
- The parent acknowledging parenthood will become (partially) financially responsible for the child.
- A connection between the person acknowledging parenthood and the child will be established according to the law of inheritance.
- The child will get the surname of the birth mother at birth. Do you want the child to get the surname of the person acknowledging parenthood? Then the surname can be chosen of the person acknowledging parenthood. The declaration of surname choice can only be made for the 1st child of the same parents. When declaring the surname choice, both the birth mother and the person acknowledging parenthood have to appear in person.
- Is the birth mother not a Dutch citizen, but the person acknowledging parenthood is? If the child is acknowledged before he is 7 years old, he will automatically get Dutch citizenship (nationality) from the person acknowledging parenthood. Is the child 7 years or older? Then other rules apply. More information about this can be found on the website of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service.
Custody
It is important to arrange joint custody well. This can prevent unpleasant situations for both the parents and the child. The government thinks it is important for parents to be able to acquire joint responsibility as easily as possible. From 1 January 2023 the person acknowledging parenthood will automatically get joint parental responsibility for the child alongside the birth mother. This means that you do not have to apply for joint custody at a district court.
More information can be found on the website of the Dutch government.
Fees
Free.
How long does it take?
If all the conditions are met, the acknowledgement of parenthood certificate will be drawn up immediately.