Requesting Birth Certificates and Extracts in the Netherlands

Birth Certificates for Children Born in the Netherlands

If your child is born in the Netherlands, their birth must be officially registered with the Civil Registry (Burgerlijke Stand) of the municipality where the birth took place. This is a mandatory step that typically needs to be completed within three working days after birth.

The Registration Process:

1. Who Registers: Usually the father, co-mother, or partner. If they are not available, someone else who was present at the birth (e.g., midwife) can register it.
2. Where: At the municipality where the child was born.
3. Documents Required: Valid identification of the person registering the birth, and sometimes a declaration of birth from the hospital/midwife. For unmarried parents, a deed of recognition (erkenning) may also be necessary to establish legal paternity.
4. Issuance: Immediately after registration, the municipality will issue an official birth certificate (geboorteakte). You can also request one or more certified extracts at this time.

Requesting Your Own Birth Certificate (Born Abroad)

If you need a copy of your own birth certificate (and you were born outside the Netherlands), you generally cannot obtain it from a Dutch municipality. You must request it from the relevant authority in your country of birth.

Important Considerations:

• Apostille/Legalisation: For your foreign birth certificate to be recognised in the Netherlands, it will almost certainly need to be legalised. This typically means obtaining an apostille from the authorities in your country of birth (if it's a Hague Convention country) or going through a full legalisation process (for non-Hague countries).
• Sworn Translation: If your birth certificate is not in Dutch, English, German, or French, you will likely need to have it translated by a sworn translator registered in the Netherlands. This translation may also need to be legalised.
• Registration in Dutch BRP: Once your foreign birth certificate is legalised and translated, you can register the original document with your Dutch municipality. This ensures your civil status is accurately recorded in the BRP.

Obtaining Extracts from the Dutch Civil Registry

If you or your child were born in the Netherlands, you can request an extract from the birth register (uittreksel uit het geboorteregister) from the municipality where the birth was originally registered.

How to Request an Extract:

Costs and Validity of Birth Certificates/Extracts

Validity: While a birth certificate itself doesn't expire, institutions often require a recently issued extract (e.g., no older than 3 or 6 months) to ensure the information is current and official. Always check with the requesting authority.