Recognizing a child can be a special event, but sometimes there is a complicated story behind it. In this article, we discuss why and when you can recognize a child and how you can annul the recognition in exceptional situations.

Why recognize your child?

If you have a child while you are not married or do not have a registered partnership, you are not automatically the legal parent. By acknowledging your child, a family law bond is created between you and the child. This entails important rights and obligations, such as the right to have a say in the upbringing and the obligation to maintain your child. From January 1, 2023, you will automatically receive joint parental authority upon recognition.

When you recognize, you make an official certificate at the civil registry. This process is free unless you want a copy of the certificate, for which a small amount is charged depending on the municipality.

Benefits of recognition:

• Legal bond with the child
• Legal heir of each other
• Joint parental authority
• Right to choose the surname (until the child is 16)
• Obligation to maintain the child up to 21 years

When to recognize your child?

You can acknowledge your child at different stages of the child’s life. For this, some conditions apply: you must be 16 years or older, you must be able to marry the mother (no blood relationship), and there must not already be two legal representatives. Also, depending on the age of the child, you must ask for the mother’s consent and sometimes also the child’s.

1. Recognition before birth: This is called the recognition of the unborn child and can be done for free in the municipality where you live. The mother’s consent is required for this.

2. Recognition at the report of birth: Within three days after the birth, the birth must be reported in the municipality where the child was born. You can arrange the acknowledgment at the birth report.

3. Recognition at a later moment: If you want to acknowledge the child later, that is also possible, depending on the age of the child and with the right consent from the mother and/or the child.

Annulment of recognition

Sometimes a recognition has to be annulled later, for example, if it turns out that the recognizer is not the biological parent or if the recognition took place under duress. A procedure for annulment can be initiated by the mother, the recognizer, or the child.

Recognition can be annulled if:

• The recognizer is not the biological parent.
• The mother was not honest about the father.
• The recognition took place under duress.

The procedure for annulment of recognition

The process to annul the recognition consists of several steps:

1. Submit a request: A lawyer submits a petition on your behalf to the court to have the recognition annulled. There are court fees associated with this.

2. Inform stakeholders: The court determines who the parties involved are and informs them about the request.

3. Investigation and possible DNA test: If there is doubt about the paternity, the court may order a DNA test to confirm or exclude the biological link.

4. Hearing: The judge reviews the request during a hearing, unless all conditions are clear and there are no further questions.

5. Judgment: The judge gives a ruling and can approve or reject the request for annulment.

After the judgment, the decision is registered at the civil registry. If the recognition is annulled, the legal situation reverts to the period before the recognition.

Need help with recognition or annulment?

Whether you want to recognize your child or start a procedure to annul the recognition, our family law lawyers at Arslan Advocaten are ready for you. We offer expert advice and guide you through the legal process. Contact us today for a no-obligation conversation.