Parents in the Netherlands who have a child born this year can give their baby a combined surname of both parents. According to the Social Insurance Bank (SVB), 8,780 children received such a combined surname by November, accounting for 6% of newborns.
Parents with children born between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2023, can add a surname by December 31, 2024. Over 19,000 families used this transitional scheme last year.
However, adding a name requires consent from both parents, which can be a challenge after separations. At least fourteen women have sought court intervention over this issue, but their requests were denied.
The courts stated that the transitional scheme does not explicitly provide for dispute resolution. Bureau Clara Wichmann (BCW), a women’s rights organization, argues this lack of legal recourse violates international and European law.
BCW calls for legal changes to allow courts to grant substitute consent if one parent blocks the addition of a surname. The organization also seeks an extension of the transitional scheme, as some court requests remain pending.
Annemijn, one of the affected mothers, is awaiting her appeal decision, hoping for easier surname changes for future generations.
Source: NOS