Of the 103,256 children born between May 31st, 2014 and 2015, approximately 4,887 were given a double-barreled surname (4.73%). According to the Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday, the double-barreled surname started with the mother's surname for 13.5% of these children. Since June 1st, 2014, parents (-to-be) can choose between giving their children the father's surname, the mother's or both surnames in whichever order they decide. If they don't or can't make a decision, the baby will automatically be given the father's surname.
A transitional measure was also introduced for families with children already, who would like to change those children's surnames. They had until May 31st, 2015, to request a new surname at the Office of Civil Registrations. This measure applied to a total of 4,656 children born before June 1st, 2014, 882 of which had their surname changed to their mother's surname, and 3,774 who had it changed to a combination of both parents’.
(Source: Belga)
