If children are born within a marriage or registered partnership, they do not need to be acknowledged. Acknowledgment is already included in the legal status of the relationship.
If the partners are not in a legal relationship, or if a child is born outside of a relationship, acknowledgment is required if both partners wish to be the child’s legal parents.
After acknowledgment, legal parenthood is established, and you are entitled to visitation rights with the child.
Additionally, after acknowledgment, you and the child will become each other’s heirs, and you will be obligated to provide child support.
Until January 1, 2023, parental authority over the child always had to be applied for separately. Since January 1, 2023, you usually automatically receive parental authority after acknowledgment. In some situations, you still need to apply for parental authority, just as you did before January 1, 2023.
Dutch law imposes a number of conditions for acknowledgment that you must meet.
If the mother does not cooperate with the acknowledgment of the child, a petition must be filed with the court. If the father refuses to acknowledge the child, the mother will have to turn to the court.
There are thus several consequences, facts, and conditions associated with the acknowledgment of a child.
We can assist you in properly arranging the acknowledgment. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about acknowledgment or if you wish to seek acknowledgment through the court.
You can reach us at info@sijbenpartners.nl or by calling 045 560 22 00. We’re happy to help.