Register the birth at the municipality (geboorteaangifte)
You must register the birth with the municipality where the baby was born, within 3 days. The day of the birth itself does not count. 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 within 3 days of the birth
- Official source
- rijksoverheid.nl
- Last checked
- 22 September 2026
What else to know
If the third day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday you get 1 extra working day, and you always get at least 2 working days. The father or co-mother (duomoeder) is legally responsible for registering; if there is no second parent, the mother or someone else present at the birth does it. Go in person with ID. Registering late is reported to the public prosecutor and can mean a fine.
Before you contact them
Who you need The municipality where the baby was born
What to ask
- Do I need an appointment, and what is the earliest one?
- Which documents do I bring, and do any need a translation?
- Can I collect a birth certificate on the day, and what does a copy cost?
- Who is allowed to do this if the father or co-mother cannot?
What happens next The municipality passes the birth on to the SVB, who then write to you about child benefit.
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