Geburt im Ausland Beurkundung

My child was born abroad. Can I also obtain a birth certificate from a German registry office?

Under certain conditions, a birth abroad can be subsequently recorded in the birth register of a German registry office.

• Depending on marital status and personal circumstances, different documents are required.

  The parents' valid identity cards or passports are always required.

  If the parents are married additionally:

  • Certified copy of the marriage register or birth certificates and the parents' marriage certificate
  • If married abroad, the parents' birth certificates and the marriage certificate

  If the mother was never married additionally:

  • The mother's birth certificate

  If the mother is divorced or widowed additionally:

  • Certified copy of the marriage register or birth certificate and the mother's marriage certificate, divorce decree with indication of legal force or death certificate

  If the parents are not married, but paternity has already been recognized or is to be recognized at the registry office:

  • Certified copy of the acknowledgment of paternity and the mother's declaration of consent.
  • In the case of a father who has never been married, the birth certificate.
  • In the case of a married (former) father, the certified copy of the marriage register or birth certificate and the father's marriage certificate, divorce decree with details of the legal validity or death certificate.

  All certificates, documents and personal documents must be presented in the original at the registry office.

  It is also necessary to present the parents' identity card or passport or national passport and the electronic residence permit (eAT).

  The translation of foreign documents must be carried out by a sworn translator in Germany and submitted together with the original document.

  Note:
  In many cases, foreign documents must be provided with an over-certification (e.g. apostille).

  The above list is not exhaustive. Further documents may be required in individual cases.

• The child's birth certificate issued abroad.

At the time of application, the person concerned must

• have German citizenship or
• be entitled to asylum, stateless, a homeless foreigner or a foreign refugee and usually reside in Germany.

Eligible applicants are

• the parents for the child
• the person themselves
• Spouses or life partners of the person
• children of the person

The competent authority is

• the registry office of the (last) place of residence or habitual abode of the person born abroad.
• If this does not result in jurisdiction: The registry office of the (last) place of residence or habitual abode of the person entitled to apply.
• If there is still no jurisdiction: The registry office I in Berlin.

If necessary, please bring an interpreter with you when you visit the registry office in order to avoid communication problems when receiving your requests.

In principle, a personal visit is required.

However, if parents are staying abroad permanently and all other requirements are met, the application can also be submitted via the respective German Consulate General. The consulate will then send the application and any other documents to the relevant registry office in Germany.