Choosing a child's last name

With your first child, you can choose the last name. You can give your child your own last name or that of your partner. All subsequent children of you and your partner together will then automatically receive the same last name as your first child.

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

Note

From Jan. 1, 2024, you can also give your first child a double surname, one name from each parent.

Recognition of unborn foetus in 2023

You are pregnant and you want to have your first child recognized (recognition unborn foetus). If recognition unborn foetus takes place in 2023 and your child is born in 2024, you can already choose the combined sex name at the time of recognition.

Will your child be born in 2023? Then your child will receive the gender name of one of the parents.

Ask at Civil Affairs for details.

Transitional

Was your oldest child born after Dec. 31, 2015? Then you can also give this child and all subsequent children a double last name. You have until Jan. 1, 2025, to change the last name.

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. 

Note! Often the mother cannot be present at the birth registration. It is therefore best to visit the municipality together before the birth.

What do I need?

  • A valid ID of you and your partner.

How does it work?

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.