Birth certificate
Your way to the application
You can request a birth certificate at any time from the registry office in whose area you were born.
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Why should I specify a location?
With the help of the location information, we can display the information, forms and services suitable for you and your responsible office.
Which location should I specify?
For example, your place of residence if you want to apply for a passport or the company location if you want to register a business.
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
The administrative fee for the first copy is 10 euros, and 5 euros for each additional identical copy.
If you can prove that you need the birth certificate for state social benefits, the certificate is free of charge.
Payment when applying in person:
- Payment in cash
- EC card
Payment when applying in writing:
- Transfer
Simply explained
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.
What requirements must be met?
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.
Frequently asked questions and answers
Already checked? Tips and lists for the next steps
There are a few things to think about and take care of before and after the birth. The following checklists will give you an overview of the important things you need to take care of before and after the birth.
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