In 2019, the Netherlands raised the possibility of giving newborn children a double surname to emphasize the connection with both parents. In 2021, after a public discussion, a bill of the appropriate content was submitted to the House of Representatives. The law has not yet come into force, but many parents have already expressed regret that this legal innovation only applies to newborns.
You can read a little about the traditions of obtaining surnames in the Netherlands, as well as about the features of writing transcribed Slavic surnames. Article on our partner resource.
Minister of Legal Protection of the Netherlands Frank Weerwind went to meet parents of young children who wrote to the ministry that they were disappointed with the application of the law only to newborns. Verwind sent a proposal to the House of Representatives for a corresponding amendment to the law.
Rules for the use of double surnames
- A double surname can consist of a maximum of two given names and is written without a hyphen, for example, Jansen De Boer. The word order should not change.
- If one or both parents already have a double surname, these double surnames are considered single. For example, the father's surname is Van Bergen Henegouwen, the mother's surname is Korthals Altes. The child can receive the surname Korthals Altes Van Bergen Henegouwen.
- After the decision to use a double surname for the first child in the family, it is automatically used for all subsequent children.
- For adopted children, you can choose a combination of their surname at birth and the surnames of the adoptive parents.
- A double surname can only be used if both parents want it. To change the name of a minor child, parents must submit a joint application. If such an application is not submitted, the child retains his surname.
- The choice of a double surname is optional. If the parents do not make a choice, a child born out of wedlock or partnership will automatically be assigned the surname of the biological mother.
- In the case of marriage or registered partnership, the child is given the surname of the father or partner.
Transitional period
After the entry into force of the law, parents will not only be able to give a double surname to their newborn children, but also request a change in the surname of those children who were born after January 29, 2019. To do this, you will need to contact the registry office of the municipality.
