Choosing a given name for your child
As parents, you can choose which surname your first (Dutch) child will receive. Your name or the name of your partner and from 2024 you can also choose a combination of both names (double surname). You make this choice before the birth or at the time of the birth registration. You will need to make an appointment.
There are various choices
You can choose the surname of your first child only. And if you subsequently have more children from the same relationship? In that case, they will be given the same surname as your first child. There are several options when choosing the surname:
You are married
- The child takes the father’s surname.
- Do you want the child to have the surname of the co-mother or a double surname? For that purpose you make a declaration together at the civil registry. Make an appointment for this and bring your identification documents.
You are not married
- The child is given the mother’s surname.
- Do you want the child to have the surname of the co-mother or a double surname? In that case, the father must acknowledge the child. Acknowledgment can take place before the birth or after the birth of the child. You can choose your surname when you are recognized, so you come together and bring your identification documents.
Your child was born abroad
For more information, contact the City of Leeuwarden.
Double surname child
You can also choose a double surname for your child born on or after January 1, 2024. You can then choose the mother’s surname, that of the other parent or a combination of these 2 surnames. You come together for this and take your identification documents with you. More information is provided on the website of the Rijksoverheid.
Now pregnant with your first child? Was your child born in 2023, 2024 or already recognized?
Are you pregnant in 2023 and will your child (perhaps) be born in 2024? And do you want a double surname for your child? Then you can choose two surnames until the end of 2023: a double name if your child is born in 2024 and a single name if your child is born in 2023.
How does it work?
During recognition, you can then choose the surname of one or the other parent and at the same time you can also opt for a double surname. We then record both choices. You will need to make an appointment. Are you married or in a registered partnership and are you expecting your first child? You can also come by and register a double surname for your child.
Your child born in 2023
Will your child be born in 2023? Then it will be given the single surname of your choice. You can then still use the temporary scheme in 2024.
Your child born in 2024
Will your child be born in 2024? Then it will be given the double surname of your choice.
Your child has already been recognised
Did you recognize your unborn child in 2023 and were you unable to choose the double surname at that time? Will your child be born in 2024? You can then only choose the double surname when registering the birth. Both parents will then come along to the report.
Temporary arrangement for children already born
Was your eldest child born on or after January 1, 2016? And do you want your child(ren) to have a combination of the surnames of both parents as their surname? A temporary arrangement also applies from January 1 to December 31, 2024.
How does it work?
To register the double surname for your child(ren), come to Civil Affairs together. You will need to make an appointment for this. Many parents probably want the double surname for their children. Please note that you may sometimes have to wait a long time before it is your turn. It is important that you record your choice with the municipality in 2024. After that it is no longer possible. We will ensure that you all get your turn, even though that may sometimes take a while.
Request a new ID for your child
Are you changing your child’s surname and does your child have its own ID? Then you request this again. A charge will be made for this.
Charges
Name selection is free unless you use the temporary scheme.
Double surname:
- The first child € 75
- Each subsequent child € 50.
There are various choices
You can choose the surname of your first child only. And if you subsequently have more children from the same relationship? In that case, they will be given the same surname as your first child. There are several options when choosing the surname:
You are married
- The child takes the father’s surname.
- Do you want the child to have the surname of the co-mother or a double surname? For that purpose you make a declaration together at the civil registry. Make an appointment for this and bring your identification documents.
You are not married
- The child is given the mother’s surname.
- Do you want the child to have the surname of the co-mother or a double surname? In that case, the father must acknowledge the child. Acknowledgment can take place before the birth or after the birth of the child. You can choose your surname when you are recognized, so you come together and bring your identification documents.
Your child was born abroad
For more information, contact the City of Leeuwarden.
Double surname child
You can also choose a double surname for your child born on or after January 1, 2024. You can then choose the mother’s surname, that of the other parent or a combination of these 2 surnames. You come together for this and take your identification documents with you. More information is provided on the website of the Rijksoverheid.
Now pregnant with your first child? Was your child born in 2023, 2024 or already recognized?
Are you pregnant in 2023 and will your child (perhaps) be born in 2024? And do you want a double surname for your child? Then you can choose two surnames until the end of 2023: a double name if your child is born in 2024 and a single name if your child is born in 2023.
How does it work?
During recognition, you can then choose the surname of one or the other parent and at the same time you can also opt for a double surname. We then record both choices. You will need to make an appointment. Are you married or in a registered partnership and are you expecting your first child? You can also come by and register a double surname for your child.
Your child born in 2023
Will your child be born in 2023? Then it will be given the single surname of your choice. You can then still use the temporary scheme in 2024.
Your child born in 2024
Will your child be born in 2024? Then it will be given the double surname of your choice.
Your child has already been recognised
Did you recognize your unborn child in 2023 and were you unable to choose the double surname at that time? Will your child be born in 2024? You can then only choose the double surname when registering the birth. Both parents will then come along to the report.
Temporary arrangement for children already born
Was your eldest child born on or after January 1, 2016? And do you want your child(ren) to have a combination of the surnames of both parents as their surname? A temporary arrangement also applies from January 1 to December 31, 2024.
How does it work?
To register the double surname for your child(ren), come to Civil Affairs together. You will need to make an appointment for this. Many parents probably want the double surname for their children. Please note that you may sometimes have to wait a long time before it is your turn. It is important that you record your choice with the municipality in 2024. After that it is no longer possible. We will ensure that you all get your turn, even though that may sometimes take a while.
Request a new ID for your child
Are you changing your child’s surname and does your child have its own ID? Then you request this again. A charge will be made for this.
Charges
Name selection is free unless you use the temporary scheme.
Double surname:
- The first child € 75
- Each subsequent child € 50.