Changing a child's primary residence
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Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
The primary residence determines which address is officially the child's main home. This may affect registration, benefits, school, costs and the practical care arrangement.
General information about Dutch law · Review date not recorded · How we work
On this page
Review the current basis
Check the parenting plan, settlement agreement, previous court order and registration in the Personal Records Database. The actual division of care and the formal primary residence are not always the same.
Map out the consequences
A change may affect school, GP, benefits, child-related budget, maintenance, travel time and stability. Make these consequences specific and distinguish financial interests from the child's interests.
Agreement or court
If the parents agree, record the change and all related arrangements in writing. If there is joint parental authority and disagreement, a lawyer can ask the court to make a decision.
Your checklist
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Current agreement or court order
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Record what happened, when, the response and where to find the letter, message or photo. Mark uncertain dates.
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For each event, note the date, what happened and where the evidence is kept. Example: 3 October — letter received — correspondence folder.
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Record the date and its source. If unknown, note this and check promptly. This tool does not calculate or monitor deadlines.
After your conversation
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Clear entries
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- Current agreement or court order
- BRP registration
- Actual division of care
- School and childcare
- Benefits and maintenance
- Travel time and transport
- The child's views and needs
Frequently asked questions
Is primary residence the same as co-parenting?
No. Co-parenting usually describes the division of care; administratively, the child generally has one primary address.
Can I simply change the BRP registration?
Do you have joint parental authority and disagree about where your child will live? Then you must first make arrangements together or ask the court for a decision.