Apply for a birth certificate
Service description
After birth, every child in Germany must be registered in the register of births. After this registration, you can also apply for a birth certificate to be issued. This proves the birth of the person and contains details of the place and time of birth as well as the first name and surname. As a rule, it also contains details of the person's gender and parents.
You will need a birth certificate in various contexts throughout your life. It can also be issued on a multilingual form for use abroad. You can use it in many countries without a translation.
You can have an (international) birth certificate issued at the registry office that registered your birth. In federal states where there is a central register network, you can also obtain a birth certificate from any other registry office in the register network.
Legal basis
Procedure
Personal application
- Go to the registry office that registered the birth.
- To prove your identity, please present your identity card or passport.
- You usually pay the fee in advance when you apply at the registry office.
- A person you trust can order and collect the certificate on your behalf; your representative must present their own identity card or passport in addition to a written power of attorney.
Application by post or fax
- Send an informal letter to the relevant registry office asking them to issue you with a birth certificate from the register of births. Depending on what the city or municipality offers, you can also find application forms on the Internet.
- Your letter must contain the following information:
- Surname, first name
- Date and place of birth
- Surname, first name of parents
- if known: Registry office and notarization number
- Enclose a certified copy of your identity card or passport with the letter.
- You will receive a notification of fees when the certificate is sent to you, unless you have already paid the fees.