After the birth of a child, he or she must be reported to the municipal civil registrar. There is a period of three days for this. After birth, the father generally registers the birth of the child. The registrar then draws up a birth certificate. This is legal proof of the birth. The civil servant ensures that it is included in the civil status registers.
Who reports the child?
Generally, this is the job of the child’s father. If this person is no longer visible, is not known, or is unable to file the tax return, someone else may file the tax return. The person reporting the birth must have been present at the birth. The declarant must have seen that the child was born. Family members can do this, but also the doctor or midwife, for example. If no one can file a report, the report must be made by the mayor or an official designated by him or her. The declaration must be made in the place of birth of the child. This does not have to be the place of residence.
Digitally register the birth
In the future it will be possible to file tax returns digitally. This is not yet possible, but with the help of Digid, it should be possible to offer this option in the future. This will probably not be used much. For the father it is an activity that will be carried out with some pride. This option will probably not be offered by all municipalities after introduction.
What is recorded about the child in the report?
When the child is registered, the data is recorded in the civil status registers. So all data must be correct. The following data will be recorded:
- First name or first names (initials)
- Child’s surname
- The gender
- Birthplace
- First and last names of the parents
- Place of birth and date of birth of the parents
- Place of birth of the child
- Date and time of birth
Are there costs associated with reporting a child?
No, the municipality will not charge any costs when reporting a child.
Citizen service number (BSN)
Nowadays, the Citizen Service Number is issued at birth. This is the number that the child will always keep. This number is unique and is issued once.
Choice of surname
At birth, an official family bond is established between the child and the parents. You can also choose the child’s surname when reporting. The child receives the surname of one of the parents. If the parents are married, the child automatically receives the father’s name. However, you can choose to keep the mother’s surname when filing the tax return.
Even with unmarried parents, the parents can choose which surname the child will receive. When a second or subsequent child is born, a choice can no longer be made for the child’s surname. The surname that the first child also received is automatically retained.