Choose a surname for your child

You can register the surname in a certificate of surname choice (akte van naamskeuze) at the municipality. However, this is not mandatory. The chosen surname will be given to all subsequent children born to the same parents.

Other citizenship for the child

• Does your child have the citizenship (nationality) of another country? The municipality will then examine the rules in that country on the choice of surname.
• Will your 1st child be born in 2024 and will he have Dutch citizenship plus the citizenship of another country? And is another surname allowed in that country? Then you can also choose this surname for the child. 

Married parents

Married parents are allowed to choose whether their 1st child will get the surname of the mother, the father or a double surname (the surnames of both parents). This can be done:

• before the birth (this is called: Begin external link: certificate of surname choice(External link), end external link.)
• during the registration of birth (the mother must also be present)

Single parent

Are you an unmarried mother? And has your child not been officially acknowledged? Then the child will get your surname.

Parent with a same-sex partner

Is a woman with a partner of the same sex expecting a baby? Then the child will get the name of the biological mother. Do you want something different? Look for more information on the Begin external link: website of the Dutch government(External link), end external link..

Unmarried parents

If the parents are not married, the child will automatically get the mother’s surname. Would you like the child to get the father’s surname or a double surname? Then the parents have to acknowledge the child. This can be done:

• Begin link: before the birth, end link. (this is called: ‘acknowledgement of an unborn child’)
• during the registration of birth (the mother must also be present)
• Begin link: after the birth, end link.

This choice of surname can be changed if the parents later get married or enter into a civil partnership.

Will your child be born on or after 1 January 2024? Then you can give your child a double surname: the surname of both parents. The combined surname will then apply to all subsequent children born to the same parents.

Read more about the double surname for your child on the Begin external link: website of the Dutch government(External link), end external link..

Your child is born in 2024 and acknowledged in 2023

Did you acknowledge your unborn child in 2023 and were you then not yet able to choose the double surname? And will your child be born in 2024? Then you can only choose the double surname when you register the birth. Both parents must attend the appointment for the registration of birth.

Was your oldest child born on or after 1 January 2016? And would you like to give your child(ren) the surnames of both parents? A transitional arrangement is in effect from 1 January to 31 December 2024.

To be able to make use of the transitional arrangement you must both visit the municipality in 2024. This is by appointment only. Bear in mind that it sometimes takes a while before you get an appointment. It is important that you register your choice in 2024. After 2024 it will no longer be possible.

Apply for identity document for your child

Are you changing the surname of your child and does your child have his own proof of identity? Then apply for a new Begin link: passport, end link. or Begin link: identity card, end link. . You must pay for it yourself. Make an appointment for this. You can do this once you have received a confirmation of the double surname by post.

You do not have to choose a surname. It is not compulsory to have a certificate of surname choice drawn up. If you do not do this, the following rules apply in the Netherlands:

• Are the parents married? Then the child automatically gets the father’s surname.
• Are the parents unmarried? Then the child gets the mother’s surname.

• Both parents must report the choice of surname in person at the Department of Public Service counter at City Hall Spui or the Leyweg City Office. Both parents must take their valid form of identification.
• Make an appointment for this.

Free.

Will you use the Begin link: transitional arrangement, end link. ? Then you pay € 75 for the oldest child and € 50 for each subsequent child.

The choice of surname will be registered immediately.