After a child is born in the Netherlands, the first administrative deadline comes quickly: the birth normally has to be registered in the municipality where the child was born within three days.

First steps

  1. Register the birth (geboorteaangifte) with the municipality where the child was born. If the deadline falls around a weekend/public holiday, the statutory calculation can shift to the next working day.
  2. The municipality draws up the birth certificate.
  3. Check whether acknowledgement/parenthood (erkenning) needed to be or still needs to be arranged for your family situation.
  4. Check health insurance, childcare, benefits/allowances and leave arrangements that apply to you.
  5. If the family is international, check nationality/passport and residence-document steps with the relevant authorities.

Do not duplicate the pregnancy/children guide

This page is the administrative checklist. For maternity care, healthcare around pregnancy, children and the Dutch care system, continue to our existing pregnancy/children and healthcare guides.

Useful Dutch words

geboorteaangifte, geboorteakte, erkennen/erkenning, ouderlijk gezag, achternaam, consultatiebureau, kinderopvang, kinderbijslag.