Birth announcement for home birth in plain language

Your child was born at home?

You must then report the birth of your child.

This is called a birth notification.

You must take certain things into account.

• What is a home birth?
• Who has to register the birth?
• When do you have to register the birth?
• Which registry office is responsible?
• What do you need to register the birth?
• Where can you get help?

In a home birth, the child is not born in a hospital.

Nor in a birthing center or other facility.

This means:

The child was born at home.

You must then go to the registry office and say:

My child has been born.

The child was born at home.

These people can report the birth:

• The mother
• The father

You can't do this?

And the other parent can't do it either?

Maybe someone else was there at the birth.

For example, a midwife and a relative.

This person can then make the birth announcement.

You must report the birth no later than 1 week after the birth.

You may not yet know:

• What should the child's first name be?
• What should the child's surname be?

After the birth, you have 1 month to choose a name.

Was your child stillborn?

Then you must also register the birth.

You have 3 days after the birth to do this.

You register the birth at the registry office.

The registry office is usually in the town hall or citizens' office.

Which registry office is responsible?

The registry office of the place of birth is responsible.

It doesn't matter where you live - the important thing is:

Where was the child born?

You will need certain documents to register.

For example:

• the identity card or passport of both parents
• a certificate from the doctor or midwife at the birth
• If you are married: the marriage certificate
• If you are a single parent: Your birth certificate

Are you divorced or widowed?

Then you will need, for example:

• a printout from the marriage register
• your birth certificate
• your marriage certificate
• the divorce decree or the death certificate.

You are not married?

But the father has acknowledged paternity?

Or the father wants to acknowledge paternity?

Then you will also need:

• A copy of the paternity acknowledgement
• A copy of the mother's declaration of consent
• The birth certificate from the father

If you have made a declaration of custody:

You will also need a copy of this.

Do the parents come from another country?

Then you will need proof of the residence title.

A residence permit is an official document.

It shows that you are allowed to live in Germany.

The registry office may need more documents.

Then you must also show these documents.

Important:

Notification of the birth is free of charge.

Do you have questions about registering a birth at home?

The registry office can help with questions about registering a birth.

Don't know which registry office is responsible?

Then search the Internet for:

"Registry office + place of birth of the child".

Or call the authority number.

The telephone number is 115.