Apply for a birth certificate

After birth, every child in Germany must be registered in the register of births. Once this registration has been completed, you can also apply for a birth certificate. This certifies the person’s birth and contains details of the place and time of birth, as well as their first name and surname. It usually also includes details of the person’s gender and parents.

You will need a birth certificate for various purposes throughout your life. For use abroad, it can also be issued on a multilingual form. You can use this in many countries without the need for a translation.

You can have an (international) birth certificate issued by the registry office that registered your birth. In federal states where there is a central register network, you can also obtain the birth certificate from any other registry office within that network.

• § Section 55 of the Civil Status Act (PStG)
• Section 59 of the Civil Status Act (PStG)
• § Section 62 of the Civil Status Act (PStG)
• § Section 50 Ordinance on Civil Status (PStV)

When submitting your application, you must provide the following:

• Your identity card, passport or eID (if applying in writing: a certified copy)
• if the application is made or the item is collected by a representative:
  • a written power of attorney from the authorised person,
  • their identity card (original or certified copy, or eID) or
  • Passport (original or certified copy) and
  • the representative’s identity card, passport or eID
• for other people:
  • where applicable, evidence of their legal interest

Personal data held in civil status registers is subject to data protection legislation. Birth certificates can therefore only be issued

• for persons to whom the entry refers

and their

• Spouses,
• Life partners (within the meaning of the German Life Partnerships 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, will only be issued with a birth certificate if they can demonstrate a legitimate interest (examples: a letter from the probate court, a court judgement or an enforceable order).

Applicants must be at least 16 years old.

• Regulation on Fees for Public Services within the remit of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (Fee Regulations of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government – GebOMIK)

Personal application

• Go to the registry office that notarised the birth.
• Please present your identity card or passport to prove your identity.
• You usually pay the fee in advance when you apply at the registry office.
• A person you trust can order and collect the certificate on your behalf; your representative must present their own identity card or passport in addition to a written power of attorney.

Application by post or fax

• Send an informal letter to the relevant registry office requesting that they issue you with a birth certificate from the birth register. Depending on the services offered by your town or local authority, you may also be able to find application forms online.
• Your letter must contain the following information:
  • Surname, first name
  • Date and place of birth
  • Surname, first name of parents
  • if known: Registry office and notarisation number
• Enclose a certified copy of your identity card or passport with the letter.
• You will receive a notification of fees when the certificate is sent to you, unless you have already paid the fees.

• Application for a court ruling at the local magistrates’ court with jurisdiction over the registry office

• Apply for a birth certificate

  Display of performance in the source portal

The registry office responsible for the place of birth