Applying for subsequent certification of a birth abroad without domestic residence

Teaser

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

  • Service description

    If you or your child were born abroad, you can apply for the birth to be subsequently notarised in a German birth register under certain conditions. There is no obligation for subsequent certification - properly issued birth certificates from abroad are generally recognised in Germany. However, subsequent notarisation in a German birth register can be advantageous because the local registry office can then issue you with a German birth certificate. Any translations and notarisations of the foreign birth certificate will therefore no longer be necessary. Subsequent certification can also be useful if the name or parentage is to be bindingly verified in Germany.

  • Procedure

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

    • All documents and identity cards must be presented 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 abroad can usually also determine whether a name declaration is required. In this case, a corresponding declaration can be recorded on the spot.

  • Responsible office

    The registry office in whose jurisdiction the person born abroad last had their domicile or habitual residence is responsible. If this does not result in jurisdiction, the registry office in whose jurisdiction the applicant was last domiciled or habitually resident shall notarise the civil status case.

    If this does not result in jurisdiction, the registry office I in Berlin is responsible for the subsequent certification.

  • Prerequisites

    • The child has acquired German citizenship by descent from a German parent or by naturalisation.
    • Authorised applicants are
      • the person to be registered
      • their parents
      • their children
      • the spouse or partner

  • Which documents are required?

    • As a rule, you will need the following documents:

    • Complete foreign birth register excerpt or - if not available - birth certificate of the child, with translation, legalisation or apostille if necessary
    • Parents' birth certificates, if necessary with translation, legalisation or apostille
    • Parents' identity cards
      • Naturalisation certificate, if applicable
      • or nationality card
    • if the mother is or was married:
      • Marriage certificate, if necessary with translation, legalisation or apostille
      • and in the case of termination of marriage: Proof of dissolution
    • if the parents are not married to each other:
      • Proof of acknowledgement of paternity and the mother's declaration of consent, if applicable
      • Proof of joint parental custody, if applicable

    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 reviewed.

  • What fees are incurred?

    Fees are charged in accordance with the state law to which the responsible registry office is subject.

    Notarisation in the register of births at Registry Office I in Berlin is subject to a fee. Fees are charged in accordance with Berlin state law.

  • What deadlines do I have to observe?

    In principle, none; if the German parent was born abroad after 31 December 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.

  • Processing time

    depending on the individual case

  • Legal basis

  • Legal remedy

    Application for a court decision at the local court responsible for the registry office in question.

  • Applications / Forms

    Forms: Yes
    Online service available: No
    Written form required:
    Personal appearance required:

  • Short text

    • Birth abroad Notarisation of Germans without domestic residence

    • The person born abroad has German citizenship at the time of application (if applicable, acquisition of German citizenship in accordance with Section 4 of the German Citizenship Act (StAG) or after naturalisation despite residence abroad).

    • The application can be submitted by the parents, the adult child, their children, spouse or partner
    • The registry office in whose jurisdiction the person born abroad last had a domestic residence or habitual abode is responsible, otherwise the registry office in whose jurisdiction the person making the application last had a domestic residence or habitual abode. Registry Office I in Berlin is responsible for notarisation if neither the child nor the applicant ever had a place of residence in Germany and have no habitual residence in Germany.

  • Issuing body

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

    Forwarding service: Deep link to the original portal

  • Typing

    2/3

  • Library entry status

    5

Responsible departments

Responsible employees