Choose the baby's surname (naamskeuze)
You can record the surname before the birth at the municipality, or at the birth registration. Both parents go together. Checked against rijksoverheid.nl on 22 September 2026.
- Who it applies to
- Everyone having a baby in the Netherlands
- On your timeline
- Paperbump schedules this usually between week 20 and week 36 of the pregnancy
- Official source
- rijksoverheid.nl
- Last checked
- 22 September 2026
What else to know
Since 1 January 2024 a first child can be given both parents' surnames, up to two names in total. If you make no choice, married parents' children take the father's or the co-mother's name, and unmarried parents' children take the mother's name. Whatever you choose applies to any later children you have together. If your baby will also have another nationality, that country's naming rules may apply as well — ask the municipality when you record the choice.
Before you contact them
Who you need Your municipality (gemeente)
What to ask
- Can we record the surname now, or does it wait for the birth registration?
- What do we both need to bring?
- What happens if we record nothing?
What happens next Both parents go together, before the birth or at the birth registration.
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