Birth announcement in plain language

Have you had a child?

Then you must report the birth to the registry office.

This is called birth notification.

• Who registers the birth?
• When do you register the birth?
• Where do you register the birth?
• What do you need to register the birth?
• What do you need the birth certificate for?
• Where can you get help?

Was your child born in hospital?
The hospital will usually register the birth.

Or was your child born in another birthing facility?
Then this facility will register the birth.

Was your child born at home?
Then you must register the birth yourself at the registry office.

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

You may not yet know the following at the time of birth:

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

Then you have 1 month to come up with the names.

Your child was stillborn?
Then you must also register the birth.
You have three days after the birth to do this.
In most cases, a mortician will do this for you.

You register the birth at the registry office.
The registry office is in the town hall or in the citizens' office.

Which registry office is responsible?
That depends:
Where was your child born?
It doesn't depend on where you live.

You will need certain documents to register.
For example:

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

Are you divorced or widowed?
Then you 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 before the birth?
Then you also need:

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

If you have made a declaration of custody:
then you also need a copy of this.

Do the parents come from another country?
Then you will need a residence permit.
A residence permit is an official document.
It shows that you are allowed to live in Germany.

The registry office may need more papers.
Then you must also show these papers.

The registry office issues the birth certificate.
It also informs the registration office.
You will receive the birth certificate free of charge.

It is important for:

• the application for maternity assistance
• the child allowance
• the parental allowance

You will only receive the birth certificate once free of charge.
More certificates cost money.

Do you have questions about registering your birth?
The registry office can help with questions about registering your 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.