Nachbeurkundung einer Geburt im Ausland ohne Inlandswohnsitz beantragen

If you or your child were born abroad, you can apply for the birth to be certified in a German birth register (subsequent certification). There is no legal obligation for subsequent certification. A properly issued foreign birth certificate (with translation, legalization or apostille if necessary) also proves the fact of the birth.

Subsequent certification can be useful if the name or parentage in Germany is to be bindingly proven. Otherwise, the possession of German citizenship will be checked and confirmed. Furthermore, the registry office I in Berlin can issue new certificates (also multilingual) at any time after notarization.

If the German parent was born abroad after December 31, 1999 and the child has its habitual residence abroad, the child only acquires German citizenship if an application is made within one year of the child's birth for the birth to be certified in the German register of births, unless the child would otherwise become stateless.

As a German citizen living abroad, you can apply for the birth of your child to be certified in a German birth register via the German diplomatic mission responsible for you.

The registry office in whose jurisdiction the person born abroad last had their place of residence in Germany is responsible for notarizing the birth abroad of Germans without a place of residence in Germany. If this does not give rise to jurisdiction, the registry office in whose jurisdiction the applicant has or last had their place of residence or habitual abode in Germany shall certify the birth. If there is still no jurisdiction, the registry office I in Berlin will notarize the birth.

Parents, spouse or partner or children of the person born abroad are also entitled to apply.

Details about the procedure can be obtained from the responsible German diplomatic mission abroad or viewed on their website.

The following documents are required:

• valid identity card or passport

You must also submit the following documents:

• foreign birth certificate with translation into German, which has been made and certified by an officially recognized translator and, if necessary, legalization or apostille (an international birth certificate may be sufficient)
• for naturalized citizens additionally: naturalization certificate

In case of representation additionally:

• written power of attorney from the authorized person to whom the entry relates
• Valid identity card or passport of the authorized person

The registry office may request the submission of further documents if necessary.

The following requirements must be met:

• the German citizen born abroad whose birth is to be certified in a German birth register has acquired German citizenship by descent from a German parent or by naturalization.
• Minimum age as applicant: 16 years
• Persons entitled to apply for the certification of a birth abroad are
  • the parents
  • each parent individually,
  • the person to be registered themselves,
  • their spouse or partner and
  • their children.
• the person to be registered does not reside in Germany

You can submit the application for subsequent certification of a birth abroad directly to the competent registry office in Germany.

If you are not resident in Germany, you can alternatively submit the application to the German diplomatic mission responsible for you abroad. They will then forward it to the registry office responsible in Germany.

The office responsible for notarizing the birth abroad of Germans without a place of residence in Germany is

• the registry office in whose jurisdiction the person born abroad last resided in Germany,
• if this does not give rise to jurisdiction, the registry office in whose jurisdiction the person making the application has or last had their place of residence or habitual abode in Germany,
• if there is also no jurisdiction according to this, the registry office I in Berlin.

In principle, all documents and IDs to be submitted with the required application documents must be submitted in the original.

• If necessary, certified copies can be made at the diplomatic mission abroad, for which additional fees will be charged.
• As a rule, the diplomatic mission abroad can also determine whether a name declaration is required. In this case, a corresponding declaration can be recorded on the spot.

Birth certificates are only sent by post for a fee.

If an official act is refused, an application for an order can (only) be made to the Schöneberg Local Court in Berlin.

• Birth abroad Notarization of Germans without domestic residence
• Notarization in the German birth register takes place upon application
• German citizenship is acquired by birth if at least one parent has German citizenship and the application is submitted to the competent registry office in Germany or to the competent German diplomatic mission abroad within one year of the birth
• when the application is submitted, the name is determined at the same time
• At the same time, the registry office checks and confirms the possession of German citizenship
• Eligible to apply:
  • Parents of the child
  • Person him/herself
  • Spouse
  • Life partner
  • Child(ren)
• Responsible:
  • in principle, the registry office in whose jurisdiction the person born abroad was domiciled in Germany
  • if there is no jurisdiction after this, then the registry office in whose jurisdiction the applicant has or last had their place of residence or habitual abode
  • if there is no jurisdiction even after this, then the registry office I in Berlin