Acknowledgement: what does it mean?

When your baby is born, you are immediately the mother of this child in every way. This is different for partners. It is, therefore, essential to have your child acknowledged by the partner during pregnancy.

Suppose your child is born during a registered partnership or marriage. In that case, your spouse or registered partner is automatically your child's legal parent, even if he is not the father. Acknowledgement is then no longer necessary. Suppose you have not entered into a registered partnership or marriage. In that case, your partner will only be regarded as the official 'legal father' if he has acknowledged the child. Acknowledgement creates rights and obligations towards your child.

Acknowledge child

To acknowledge a child, you must go together to the registry office of the municipality (remember the passports!). This can also be done before birth. This is called acknowledging the unborn fetus and is preferably done before the 24th week so that it is already arranged in the event of premature birth.

If you arrange the acknowledgement before birth, you can also choose the child's surname. If your partner did not acknowledge the baby before birth, the baby will automatically receive your surname after birth. Changing the surname after labor takes time and money.

Want to know more about what can you arrange during pregnancy concerning legal parenthood?