Conditions for Dual Motherhood in Leiden

Conditions for Dual Motherhood in Leiden

In Leiden, lesbian couples can both become legal mothers of a child conceived through artificial insemination via dual motherhood. This provision has been part of Dutch legislation since 2017, with strict application requirements. This article discusses the conditions, including the legal basis, steps and tips, with attention to local support through organizations such as Het Juridisch Loket Leiden and the Municipality of Leiden.

What is dual motherhood?

Dual motherhood is a provision in Dutch family law whereby both partners in a lesbian marriage or registered partnership obtain full parental responsibility for their child. The birthing mother is automatically the legal parent, but the co-mother can achieve this through a simplified procedure. This makes adoption unnecessary, saving time and costs. It applies exclusively to children conceived with medical assistance, such as insemination or IVF using donor sperm. For a broader explanation, see our overview on dual motherhood. In Leiden, you can obtain free advice on this option from Het Juridisch Loket Leiden.

Legal basis of dual motherhood

Dual motherhood was introduced by the Act of 8 December 2017, which amends the Dutch Civil Code (Bulletin of Acts and Decrees 2017, 492). This primarily affects Book 1 of the Civil Code, articles 1:199 to 1:205, under which the partner of the birthing mother can become a parent through recognition subject to certain conditions. The law is based on the equality principle in article 1 of the Constitution and the ECHR, which prohibits discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation. Previously, adoption was required for the non-biological mother, a slow and costly process. Today, recognition suffices for a faster and more secure parent-child relationship. Disputes in the Leiden region are handled by the District Court of Leiden.

Requirements for dual motherhood

For dual motherhood in Leiden, various conditions must be met, with a focus on the child's best interests and family stability. We break them down into personal and procedural aspects.

Personal requirements

• Relationship status: At the time of conception, the women must be married or in a registered partnership (article 1:199(3) Civil Code). A casual relationship is insufficient; official registration is essential.
• Medical conception: The child must have been conceived through artificial insemination or IVF using sperm from an anonymous donor (article 1:199(1) Civil Code). Natural conception or sperm from a known individual does not qualify. Proof must come from a certified clinic, and in Leiden you can turn to local healthcare providers for this process.
• No other parents: There must be no other legal parent. An involved donor can complicate the process.
• Age and suitability: Both mothers must be 18 years or older and suitable for parental authority. The District Court of Leiden can assess this in cases of doubt.

Procedural requirements

1. Timely recognition: The co-mother must recognize the child before birth (notarial deed) or within three months thereafter (article 1:200 Civil Code). After that, only adoption remains an option.
2. Consent: Both mothers must consent via a joint declaration.
3. Registration in Leiden: The birth certificate is updated at the civil registry of the Municipality of Leiden. This proceeds smoothly with timely recognition.
4. No objection: The public prosecutor can rarely raise an objection if the child's welfare is at risk.

If these requirements are not met, the default rule applies: only the birthing mother is the parent, and adoption is required for the partner. Het Juridisch Loket Leiden can help check these requirements.

Examples of dual motherhood in practice

Take Lisa and Marie, a married couple from Leiden who opt for IVF with donor sperm at a regional clinic. Lisa gives birth to the child, and Marie recognizes it during pregnancy before a notary. After birth, the Municipality of Leiden registers Marie as the second mother, so they both share authority over upbringing, school choices and care.

In another case: Sophie and Tara from Leiden use sperm from a family member without medical intervention. Dual motherhood fails; Tara cannot recognize as 'father', and Sophie must adopt. This highlights the importance of the medical route.

In a separation without dual motherhood, the co-mother risks legal battles for rights, often via the District Court of Leiden.

Rights and obligations under dual motherhood

Once established, both mothers have identical rights and obligations (article 1:251 Civil Code):

• Rights: Full parental authority, including decisions on residence, education and medical choices. In case of separation, they start on an equal footing in proceedings on contact and authority at the District Court of Leiden.

Veelgestelde vragen

Wat is mijn retourrecht?

Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.

Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?

Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.

Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?

Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.

Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?

Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.

Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?

Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.