Choosing a child's last name

For your first child, you can choose the surname yourself. You can give your child your own surname or that of your partner. You can also give your child a combined surname. All subsequent children you and your partner have together will then automatically have the same surname as your first child.

Before the birth or at the birth registration, you record the surname with the municipality.

What should I do?

You and your partner will visit the municipality together to have your child's surname recorded. You can make a Make an appointment appointment by calling 14 0181. 

Often, the mother is unable to be present when registering the birth. It is therefore best to go to the municipal office together before the birth.

What do I need to bring to the application?

  • A valid ID of you and your partner.

How does it work?

You must decide on the combined surname before the birth or when registering the birth. This also applies to married parents.

If you do not choose a surname or record it with the municipality in time, the law determines which surname your child will have. Which name that is depends on your personal situation.

Husband and wife, married or registered partnership

Your child will automatically receive the father's last name. If you want your child to have the mother's last name, you must register it together with the municipality before or during the birth registration.

Two women, married or registered partnership

  • If the mother is pregnant by an unknown donor, your child will automatically receive the surname of the duo mother. This is only possible if the paternal mother automatically becomes a legal parent at birth. This requires a declaration of parenthood. If you want your child to have the birth mother's last name, you must register this together at the municipality.
  • If the mother is pregnant from a known donor and the duo mother acknowledges your child, your child will automatically receive the birth mother's last name. If you want your child to have the duo-mother's last name, you must register this together at the municipality.

Parents who are not married and are not registered partners

Your child will automatically receive the mother's last name. If you want your child to have the father's or duo mother's last name, the father or duo mother must acknowledge your child. Upon acknowledgment, you will then choose the last name together.

Family of two men

At the moment of a child's birth, there is always a mother. Motherhood can only end through adoption. With adoption, you can choose the last name of your first child. This is done in court. Subsequent children of you and your partner together will have the same last name.

Costs

DescriptionCosts
Registering the last namefree

How long does it take?

The municipality records your child's last name immediately.

Requirements

  • One of the parents has Dutch nationality.

More information can be found on the Rijksoverheid website.