ACCESS NL > Healthcare in the Netherlands > Having a baby in the Netherlands > Legal matters > Do I need to make a will or change it upon the birth of my child?

Legal matters

Which documents should I bring to register the birth of my newborn child?

Is my baby going to be insured automatically after birth?

Do I need to make a will or change it upon the birth of my child?

After the birth of your child, it is suggested that you should consider making a will if you have not already done so. If the unexpected happens and both you and your partner die suddenly, it is in your best interests to stipulate in a legally-recognised document who should become the guardian. If no will exists in these circumstances, the Dutch courts may decide that your baby/child should be put into state care as an orphan. To make a will in the Netherlands, you should make an appointment with a Dutch notaris (notary). Please note that if you have already made a will, you are advised to amend it to reflect the fact that you now have a child (a dependent).

If you have already made a will in your previous country of residence or origin, this document will be recognised by the Dutch authorities as long as it conforms to the legal requirements of the country in which it was written and does not contain any stipulations which would conflict with any public order or public morality legislation in the Netherlands.

Please note that the Dutch court will automatically go through the process of establishing legal guardianship should both parents of the child die suddenly. However, this may take some time if your will was made in another country and thus not registered with a Dutch notary. It is thus suggested that you should make your close relatives (parents or siblings) aware of the existence of your will and where it can be found.

Which surname can I choose for my child?

I am going to have a baby in the Netherlands. Will my child have Dutch nationality?

I want to travel with my baby. Does he/she need a passport?