Birth and recognition

When a baby is born, someone who was present at the delivery makes birth registration. The declaration takes place at the municipality where the child was born. When the declaration is made, the official birth certificate is drawn up. Then the child is registered in the basic registration of personsBRP) of the mother's home municipality. Unfortunately, it also happens that a child is born lifeless. Even in those sad circumstances, you can contact the municipality to register your child.

Electronic Filing

Was your child born in the municipality of Opsterland?

Then file your tax return online.

Toward Digital Birth Registration

Declaring birth

Birth registration is done in the municipality where the child was born. This must be done within three days of the day of birth and is mandatory. It depends on the situation who makes the declaration:

The mother from whom the child was born MAY file the declaration.
The parent from whom the child was not born must file a declaration.

Is there no other parent? Or is this one really unable to come? Then the obligation passes to:

Someone who was present at the birth.
The occupant of the house where the child was born.
The head of the facility where the child was born or a person authorized by that head for this purpose.

Was your child born in Opsterland?

You can file a birth certificate online or in person at city hall by appointment.

What do you need to file your tax return online?

The person filing the declaration is the child's father, mother, or co-mother.
In any case, at least one of the parents has Dutch citizenship
The parent filing the report has a DigiD
A birth certificate from the midwife
If the birth has been acknowledged: an extract from the acknowledgment of paternity

Is it not possible to file a birth certificate online?

If you do not want to or are unable to file a digital birth registration, visit
. Please come to City Hall to register your child’s birth.

Make an appointment

Please bring the following documents to City Hall:

Valid identification for both parents
Statement from the midwife
If acknowledgment of paternity took place before the birth: an extract from the acknowledgment of paternity certificate
Optional: Deed of Name Selection

Related Services

You can also contact the municipality for the related services listed below. If you haven’t been able to find what you’re looking for, please call us. The staff at the municipality of Opsterland are here to help you.

Birth Certificate Extract

Registering a birth is free of charge. If you would like a copy of the birth certificate, there is a fee.

Type	Price
Extract of birth certificate	€ 17,80

Recognizing a Child

If you are not married and do not have a registered partnership, the father or co-mother does not automatically have legal rights to the child. By acknowledging a child, you ensure that this happens. You will then be the official parent.

This is possible in the following situations:

During pregnancy (acknowledgment of paternity of the unborn child): This is the most common time to do so. The advantage is that the child’s last name is already determined, and the person acknowledging paternity is the official parent immediately upon the child’s birth.
When registering the birth: You acknowledge paternity at the time you report the birth to the municipality.
After registering the birth: This can be done at any time as the child grows up, even after the child has reached adulthood.

What should you bring with you to City Hall?

Valid identification documents for both parents (passport orMap).
Consent: Is the mother pregnant, or is the child under 12 years of age? If so, the mother must give consent. Children 12 years of age and older must also give their own consent.

There are no costs associated with recognizing a child.

Make an appointment online

Bring this with you to your appointment

Written consent from the mother if the child is under 16.
Written consent from the child himself or herself if the child is 12 years of age or older.
A valid ID of the recognizer and the mother.

Please note that if you wish to choose your child's last name, the child's mother herself must be present at the appointment.

Choosing a Name

As parents, you can choose which last name your first child will have. There are several situations when choosing the name:

You are married

The child will have the same last name as the father.
Do you want the child to have the mother's last name? You can report this to the municipality.

You are not married

The child is given the same last name as the mother.
Do you want the child to have the father's last name? Then the father can acknowledge the child. The mother can consent to the father's last name at the time of acknowledgment.

Double surname

Starting Jan. 1, 2024, you can give your first child if born on (or after) Jan. 1, 2024, the last names of both parents. No more than two names may be given. This double surname also applies to all subsequent children of the same parents. It is not mandatory to choose a double surname.

See more information about double surnames

Registering a child born lifeless

It is incredibly sad when a baby is stillborn. The fact that the child did not live (or only lived for a short time) does not mean that it did not exist. It may feel good to have the baby officially registered in the Personal Records Database (BPR). The birth must be registered in the municipality where the baby was born, and you must register it with the municipality where you live.

Would you like to register your stillborn child?

Please contact us

We are happy to help you as best we can and in a personalized manner, especially in these sad circumstances.

Learn more

Still have questions?

If so, please contact the Public Center