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Applying for subsequent certification of a birth abroad without domestic residence

If you or your child were born abroad, it may make sense to have your birth registered in the German birth register.

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  • Forms

    Forms: yes
    Online service available: no
    Written form required: no
    Personal appearance required:


  • Detailed description

    If you or your child were born abroad, you can apply for the birth to be certified retrospectively. There is no legal obligation for subsequent certification. A proper 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 is to be bindingly proven in Germany. 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 31.12.1999, the child only acquires German citizenship with habitual residence abroad 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.

  • Requirements
    • The child has acquired German citizenship by descent from a German parent or by naturalization.
    • Eligible applicants are
      • the person to be registered themselves
      • their parents
      • their children
      • the spouse or partner
    • The applicant or the child is not resident in Germany
  • Documents
    • Complete foreign birth register excerpt or, if not available, birth certificate of the child, if necessary with translation, legalization or apostille
    • Parents' birth certificates, with translation, legalization or apostille if applicable
    • Parents' identity cards
      • Naturalization certificate, if applicable
      • or certificate of citizenship
    • if the mother is or was married
      • Marriage certificate, if applicable with translation, legalization or apostille
      • and in the case of termination of marriage: Proof of dissolution
    • if the parents are not married to each other:
      • if applicable, proof of acknowledgement of paternity and the mother's declaration of consent
      • if applicable, proof of joint parental custody

    The submission of further documents may be required. This depends on the foreign document system and can only be assessed after the application has been examined.

  • Fees

    User Charge: (variabel)
    Notarization in the register of births is subject to a fee. If foreign law is to be observed, the fee is EUR 160.00, otherwise EUR 80.00.
    Vorkasse: Nein

    User Charge: (variabel)
    There are additional fees for issuing a birth certificate. Currently, one certificate costs EUR 12.00. Each additional certificate of the same type ordered at the same time costs EUR 6.00.
    Vorkasse: Nein

  • Process

    In principle, the application can be submitted via the German diplomatic mission if you live abroad.

    • All documents and IDs must be submitted there in the original.
    • If necessary, certified copies can be made at the diplomatic mission abroad, for which additional fees will be charged.
    • The diplomatic mission or consular post can usually also determine whether a name declaration is required. In this case, a corresponding declaration can be made on the spot.
  • Duration

    The respective processing status will be communicated with the confirmation of receipt. A longer processing time is to be expected.

  • Legal basis
  • Pointer

    none

  • More information
  • Approved

    Senate Department for the Interior, Digitization and Sport Berlin, Department I - Constitutional and Administrative Law

  • Approved date
    05.10.2020