Adoption certificate
An adoption certificate provides written proof that your adoption is recorded in the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriage. You can apply for a copy of the certificate. You can request this from the Municipality of The Hague.
Conditions
You were adopted abroad.
How does it work?
An authority asks you for an adoption certificate. You request it from the Municipality of The Hague. You will then get a copy of the certificate. This is also called a certified, official or authenticated copy. The original certificate remains the property of the municipality.
Copy in another language
The copy is only available in Dutch. Do you need a copy of the certificate in another language? Then you need to arrange for the copy to be translated by a sworn translator.
Fees
€ 15.70 (rate in 2023) excluding postage costs. After you have applied you will receive the invoice by email.
How long does it take?
The municipality will send the copy to you within 3 weeks.
Good to know
- Were you adopted before 1995? Then there is no guarantee that your adoption certificate was registered in The Hague. Submit your request. The municipality will let you know if your adoption certificate is available.
- You can also request a copy or extract for someone else. Read more about this under Request a civil status document for someone else.
- If you would like to use the document abroad, then you often need an 'apostille'. You can request this through the court. Read more about the apostille on rechtspraak.nl.
Apply
Apply for an adoption certificate