Register lifeless child

What is it?

When a child is stillborn, it is a great emotional loss. If you wish, you can register your child in the Personal Records Database (BRP). This is not mandatory. You can submit your request for registration to the municipality where you live.

With this registration ,your stillborn child will be visible to you via MijnOverheid.nland on an extract from the BRP. 

How does it work?

  • You can submit the request if you were living in the Netherlands at the time of the birth and were registered in the BRP.
  • It doesn't matter when your baby was born or how long the pregnancy lasted.
  • You can only register your child in the BRP on your own behalf. Because this is a very personal matter, you cannot do this on behalf of the other parent.

What to do.

  • You make a request to the municipality where you live.
  • In order to register your baby, you will need a certificate of birth (lifeless) or a certificate of child born lifeless. If you do not have such a certificate, you can still have one prepared in the municipality where your child was born.
  • It may happen that your child's names are not listed on the birth certificate (stillborn) or stillbirth certificate. In that case, you can submit the names when you apply for registration in the BRP. Parents can therefore submit different names separately from each other. This is not a problem in this situation.

What do I need?

  • A certificate of birth (lifeless) or a certificate of child born lifeless.
  • A valid ID.

Your child was born abroad

  • Documents of birth, such as a deed prepared abroad stating that your child was born lifeless.
  • If it is difficult for you to get these documents, report this to the municipality. Because this is a very personal situation, the rules are handled leniently and understandingly. You can then make a declaration about the birth of your baby at the municipality.

How long does it take?

Within 4 weeks of submitting your request, you will receive a response from the municipality.

Additional information

  • Besides yourself, only the registrar can view this registration. Other government agencies do not receive data about your lifeless child.
  • If you moved abroad after the birth of your child, make your request in the last Dutch municipality where you were registered.