What is the difference between acknowledgment and parental authority?
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Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
Acknowledgment creates legal parenthood. Parental authority concerns responsibility and the power to make important decisions for a minor child.
General information about Dutch law · Reviewed on · How we work
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What acknowledgment regulates
Acknowledgment creates a family-law relationship, a maintenance obligation and inheritance consequences. In older situations, acknowledgment alone did not automatically grant joint parental authority.
Parental authority since 1 January 2023
A person who, as an unmarried or unregistered partner, acknowledges a child from 1 January 2023 usually automatically obtains joint parental authority with the mother. Exceptions exist.
Check the parental authority situation
If the child was acknowledged before 2023 or there is doubt due to a special situation, check the parental authority register and the applicable rules. You can request an extract from any court. An empty register does not prove that someone has no parental authority: parental authority may also arise directly by law.
Public custody-register extract
The register is public: anyone can request a child's extract free of charge from any district court, preferably nearby. Follow that court's contact instructions. It records parental-authority and guardianship facts, such as court decisions and a nominated future guardian; requesting an extract changes no authority. An otherwise empty extract comes with an explanatory letter: check authority arising directly by law.
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Child's date of birth
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- Child's date of birth
- Date of acknowledgment
- Relationship status at birth
- Extract from the parental authority register
- Any court decision
- Who makes important decisions
Frequently asked questions
Does acknowledgment give me a right to contact?
Acknowledgment creates legal parenthood. Contact and parental authority are separate matters and also depend on arrangements and the child's best interests.
Does automatic parental authority also apply to acknowledgment before 2023?
No, in those situations joint parental authority generally had to be arranged separately.