Have your birth notarised abroad

  • Short text

    • Registration of a birth abroad
    • If a child is born abroad, retrospective registration in the birth register is possible
    • Retrospective certification is not compulsory: birth certificates from abroad – particularly from EU Member States – are frequently recognised
    • Retrospective registration is required for the issue of a German birth certificate
    • Applications may be made on behalf of the individual themselves or on behalf of close family members in the ascending or descending line of descent
    • All documents must be submitted as originals or certified copies
    • Competent authority: the registry office at the place of residence or stay in Germany of the person born abroad or the person entitled to make the application

  • Full text

    If you or a close family member, whether an ascendant or descendant, were born abroad, you can apply to the registry office in Germany to have the birth retrospectively recorded in the birth register (formerly the birth register).

    You should apply for the certification at the registry office responsible for your place of residence in Germany or the place of residence in Germany of the person entitled to make the application. If neither a current nor a former place of residence in Germany can be established, you may apply for the certification at your relevant German diplomatic mission abroad or at the Berlin I Registry Office.

    You are not obliged to have the birth registered retrospectively. Birth certificates from abroad are often recognised in Germany, provided their authenticity is beyond doubt.

    However, having the birth entered in the register retrospectively can be advantageous, as the local registry office will then be able to issue you with a German birth certificate. This means you will no longer need to have the foreign certificate translated and certified for future purposes.

  • Legal basis(s)

  • Required documents

    • Form: Application for the registration of a birth abroad in the register of births
    • Foreign birth certificate with a translation; where applicable, legalisation or an Apostille
    • a valid identity card, passport or travel document
    • Marriage and birth certificates of the parents of the person to whom the entry relates
    • where applicable, a certificate of naturalisation or a certificate of nationality
    • where applicable, further documents with proof of authenticity and, where applicable, a translation, depending on the individual case

    You must submit all documents in their original form.

  • Prerequisites

    • You are a German national, a stateless person or a recognised refugee whose habitual residence is in Germany.
    • You are applying for the certification of
      • oneself,
      • Your child,
      • one parent or
      • Your spouse or partner.

  • Costs (fees, expenses, etc.)

    State of Brandenburg:

    A fee of 89.00 euros is charged for the registration of a birth that took place abroad, in accordance with tariff item 12.3.2.4 of the Annex to the Ordinance 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).

    If at least one parent was a foreign national, an additional charge of 35.00 euros per foreign national will be levied in accordance with tariff item 12.3.2.4.4.

  • Deadlines

    There is no deadline.

  • Further information

  • Author

    Forwarding service: Deep link to the source portal Forwarding service: Deep link to the source portal

  • Responsible office

    Registry Office for your place of residence, whether your current or former place of residence in Germany

    If the person has no current or former place of residence in Germany, the matter falls within the remit of Registry Office I in Berlin or the relevant German diplomatic mission abroad.


Responsible departments

Responsible employees