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Recognition

If you are not automatically the legal parent of a child, you can acknowledge the child. You can then also choose which last name (or last names) the child will receive, starting with the first child in this relationship. The declaration is filed with the Civil Affairs Department of the Public Entity of Bonaire.

What does this product or service mean?

You automatically become the legal parent if you are married to the child’s mother. Otherwise, you can recognize the child at the Civil Affairs Department. You will then become the legal parent. You must also recognize each subsequent child separately; this does not happen automatically. You can recognize a child before birth, at the time of birth registration, or after birth registration.

If you are not married, the child will automatically receive the biological mother’s last name when the birth is registered. If you, as the father or co-mother, acknowledge the child, you can (jointly) choose which last name or names the child will receive. The last name or names you choose for the first child will also be the last name or names of subsequent children from the same relationship.

If you acknowledge a child, you do not automatically obtain parental authority together with the mother. You must apply for parental authority. You do this at the Court of First Instance of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba.

When can you apply for this?

The main requirements for acknowledging a child are:

  • You are 16 years of age or older.
  • You are not related to the mother.
  • The child does not already have two parents.
  • Is the child younger than 16? You have the mother’s written consent.
  • Is the child older than 12? You have the child’s written consent.

The main requirements for choosing a name upon acknowledgment are:

  • The mother and the person acknowledging paternity must be present when the name is chosen.
  • You may only choose the last name for the first child born of the relationship.
  • You may also choose a double last name: one from each parent.

How do you apply for this?

To acknowledge a child and choose a last name or names, you must go in person to the Civil Affairs Department. Are you acknowledging the child when registering the birth?

Here’s how to acknowledge a child:

  • Visit the Civil Affairs Department.
  • The mother must also be present, or she must provide written consent for the acknowledgment.
  • If you wish to choose a last name or names when acknowledging your first child, the mother must also give her consent for this.
  • A child older than 12 years must also be present, or the child must provide written consent for the acknowledgment.
  • Bring the following to the Civil Affairs Department:
    • a valid form of identification for yourself;
    • a valid form of identification for the mother;
    • written consent and valid identification from the mother for the acknowledgment, if she is not present and the child is under 16 years of age;
    • written consent and valid identification from the child for the acknowledgment, if the child is over 12 years of age.

What does it cost?

The acknowledgment of a child and the choice of a name are free of charge.

You will be charged $11,20 for a copy or extract from the civil registry. This fee is due at the time of application.

Do you disagree with the decision?

If you disagree with the decision of the civil registrar of the Public Entity of Bonaire regarding the acknowledgment of your child, you may file an appeal with the Court of First Instance of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba.

Which laws and rules apply?

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