Laden...

Jump to content Jump to search

Child custody procedures

This is a print of a page on Rechtspraak.nl. Look for the most up-to-date information on Rechtspraak.nl (http://www.rechtspraak.nl). This page is printed on 01-01-1970.

Skip Navigation LinksDutch legal proceedings > Child custody > Child custody procedures

Child custody procedures

As a parent you may apply to the district court for appointing a guardian for your minor child. The district court can also appoint a guardian on its own initiative if needed.

Content

 


Appointing a guardian

Parents can appoint a guardian themselves:

  • in their will (via a notary);
  • by registration in the gezagsregister (Parental Authority Register) (via the district court).

Appointing a guardian:
own initiative

Upon request, the judge may appoint a guardian. In most cases, the applicant wants to gain Child custody themselves. This may be a partner (who is not the child’s legal parent), a foster parent or another person who wants to be a guardian.

Appointing a guardian:
district court’s initiative

Have both parents died or are they unable (whether temporarily or permanently) to exercise parental authority over the child? And have the parents not appointed a guardian? Then the judge will appoint a guardian.

Advice from the Child Care and Protection Board

If the parents have not appointed a guardian and cannot exercise parental authority over the child (whether temporarily or permanently), the judge will appoint a guardian. Sometimes there are no guardians; other times there are multiple suitable guardians or there is a dispute about custody. The judge will then ask the Raad voor de Kinderbescherming (Child Care and Protection Board) for advice. 

Costs of child custody proceedings

You pay a fee for the court to hear your case: this is known as griffierechten (court fees). There may be additional costs associated with a court case, such as lawyer’s fees.

Duration of child custody proceedings

Appointing a guardian

The district court will process your ‘Voogd aanwijzen’ (‘Appoint a guardian’) form. You will receive an extract from the gezagsregister (Parental Authority Register) within 2 weeks.

Appointing a guardian

The guardian appointed must make a declaration of willingness. This only happens after the parents have died or are temporarily unable to exercise their parental authority. As soon as the guardian has made this declaration of willingness at the district court registry, the proceedings will end.

 

 

Questions and answers

Can I, as a parent, unilaterally appoint a guardian?

Yes, you can. Both parents may designate a guardian independently of one another. If the parents die at the same time, the judge will decide who becomes the guardian.

In which situations does the judge appoint the guardian?

The judge will only appoint a guardian if the parents have not done this themselves or if the designated guardian cannot or will not perform their child custody duties.

How can I become the guardian of a young person from Curaçao in the Netherlands?

For child custody of minor children from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, you do not need to go to court. The procedure is dealt with by the Raad voor de Kinderbescherming.

 

See also:

Find out more:


Contact the Rechtspraak Service Centre

Social media

Ask your question on:

volg ons op X (Twitter) X (Twitter)
Instagram

Be careful when you share private information on social media.

Telephone

+31 88 361 61 61

We are open from Monday to Thursday from 08:00 until 20:00, and on Friday from 08:00 until 17:30.


Information services survey
This webpage is part of the EU quality network Your Europe