Apply for a birth certificate

Source: BUS Rheinland-Pfalz

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 recorded your birth. In federal states where there is a central register network, you can also obtain the birth certificate from any other registry office in the register network there.

Applying in person

Go to the registry office where the birth was registered.
Present your identity card or passport to prove your identity.
You usually pay the fee in advance when applying at the registry office.
A person you trust can order and collect the certificate on your behalf; your representative will 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 the city or municipality, you may 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
Please 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.

The personal data in the civil status register is subject to data protection. Birth certificates can therefore only be issued

for persons to whom the entry relates

and their

spouses,
civil partners (within the meaning of the Civil Partnership Act),
ancestors and descendants (such as parents or grandparents as well as children and grandchildren),
Siblings, if they can prove a legitimate interest.

Other persons, including close relatives such as aunts and uncles, only receive a birth certificate if they can credibly demonstrate a legal interest (examples: Letter from the probate court, court judgment or enforceable title).

Applicants must be at least 16 years old.

You must submit the following when applying

Your identity card, passport or eID (if applying in writing: certified copy)
when applying or collecting by a representative:
- Written power of attorney from the authorized person,
- their identity card (original or certified copy or eID) or
- Passport (original or certified copy) and
- the identity card, passport or eID of the representative
for other persons:
- proof of their legal interest, if applicable

Apply for a birth certificate

Process flow

Requirements

Which documents are required?

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

Legal basis

Applications / forms

Professionally released on

Translation note