Birth: birth abroad - post-natal registration

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

Voraussetzungen

At the time of application, the person concerned must

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

Eligible to apply are:

• the parents for the child
• the person him/herself
• spouse or partner of the person
• children of the person

The competent office 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 file the application.
• If this also does not result in jurisdiction: The registry office I in Berlin.

Welche Unterlagen benötige ich?

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

  The valid identity cards or passports of the parents are generally required.

  If the parents are married additionally:

  • Certified copy of the marriage register or birth certificates and the marriage certificate of the parents.
  • In the case of marriage abroad, the birth certificates of the parents 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 the legal force or death certificate

  If the parents are not married to each other, but paternity has already been acknowledged or is to be acknowledged 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 father who has been married, the certified copy of the marriage register or birth certificate and the father's marriage certificate, divorce decree with indication of the legal force 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 electronic residence permit (eAT).

  The translation of foreign documents must be done by a sworn translator and must be presented together with the original document.

  Note:
  In many cases, foreign documents have to be certified (e.g. apostille).
  The above list is not exhaustive. Further documents may be required in individual cases.