German birth certificate
When a baby is born in Germany, the birth must be registered before the parents can receive German birth certificates. The StandesamtThe German civil registry where the birth is registered. in the city where the baby was born manages this process. The papers and certificate types can differ by family, especially when parents use documents from another country. This guide explains who reports the birth, what parents may need to provide, and which certificates they may need later.
Short answer
- The StandesamtThe German civil registry where the birth is registered. in the city where the baby was born records the birth and issues the certificates.
- For a hospital, birth clinic, or GeburtshausA midwife-led birth center in Germany. birth, the facility usually sends the birth notice.
- Parents still need to give the office the right parent documents and name details.
- If any parent document comes from outside Germany, ask the StandesamtThe German civil registry where the birth is registered. what it needs before you send anything.
Who reports the birth
Usually, the birth facility reports the birth, parents submit the required documents and name details, and the StandesamtThe German civil registry where the birth is registered. records the birth and issues the certificates.
German law says a birth must be reported within one week. For births in hospitals, birth clinics, and GeburtshausA midwife-led birth center in Germany. facilities, the facility is generally responsible for the report. Parents still need to make sure the office has enough information to complete the record.
- Has the facility already sent the birth notice?
- Where should parents submit missing papers or name details?
- How will the office tell you the certificate is ready?
- Can someone else collect papers with written authorization?
Official links
- Familienportal: register a child at the StandesamtOfficial German federal overview for birth registration and certificates.
- PStG section 18German civil-status law rule for reporting births.
Ask about your exact documents
The document list changes by family. Parent marriage status, previous divorce, foreign certificates, translations, ApostilleA stamp or certificate from the country that issued a birth, marriage, name-change, divorce, or death paper. or LegalizationA different official stamp for a birth, marriage, name-change, divorce, or death paper from another country., and name law can all change what the office asks for.
If any parent paper comes from outside Germany, ask the StandesamtThe German civil registry where the birth is registered. before you send the packet. Some offices want originals. Some foreign-language records need a certified translationAn official translation prepared by a translator allowed to certify translations for agencies.. Some countries also require an ApostilleA stamp or certificate from the country that issued a birth, marriage, name-change, divorce, or death paper. or LegalizationA different official stamp for a birth, marriage, name-change, divorce, or death paper from another country..
- Do you need originals or certified copiesAn official copy that an agency treats like the original.?
- Do foreign-language records need a certified translationAn official translation prepared by a translator allowed to certify translations for agencies.?
- Do any records need an ApostilleA stamp or certificate from the country that issued a birth, marriage, name-change, divorce, or death paper. or LegalizationA different official stamp for a birth, marriage, name-change, divorce, or death paper from another country.?
- Does the StandesamtThe German civil registry where the birth is registered. need a name declaration?
- If parents are not married, is a VaterschaftsanerkennungA German acknowledgement of paternity. It can let the father be recorded as the legal father when the parents are not married. or SorgeerklärungA German declaration about shared parental custody when parents are not married. needed before the first certificate?
Official links
- PStV section 33German civil-status rule naming common parent documents for birth registration.
- Federal Foreign Office: Apostille and LegalizationOfficial background on using German or foreign public documents across borders.
Which certificates to order
A normal GeburtsurkundeA German birth certificate. is the everyday birth certificate. A certified register printout can contain more register details and later changes. Many Standesämter also offer multilingualA certificate printed in more than one language. It can avoid a separate translation. or international certificates.
In the first weeks, parents often need certificates or confirmations for health insurance, ElterngeldGerman parental allowance paid after birth when a parent works less or not at all to care for the baby., KindergeldGerman child benefit paid through the Familienkasse., MutterschaftsgeldGerman maternity pay around birth. Months when the mother receives Mutterschaftsgeld count as Basiselterngeld months for her., consulate or passport steps, and their own records. Ask what is free for benefit applications. Also ask what costs extra for private copies.
You may need birth certificates to:
- Register the baby for health insurance.
- Apply for ElterngeldGerman parental allowance paid after birth when a parent works less or not at all to care for the baby..
- Apply for KindergeldGerman child benefit paid through the Familienkasse..
- Apply for MutterschaftsgeldGerman maternity pay around birth. Months when the mother receives Mutterschaftsgeld count as Basiselterngeld months for her., if needed.
- Handle consulate or passport steps, if another country will ask for a birth paper.
- Keep one or two private records for your own folder.
Official links
- Bundesportal: apply for a birth certificateOfficial federal service overview for German birth certificates.
Ask before ordering for another country
If a consulate, insurer, or foreign authority will use the certificate, ask that receiving office before you order extra copies. It may want a normal certificate, a multilingual certificateA certificate printed in more than one language. It can avoid a separate translation., a register printout, or an ApostilleA stamp or certificate from the country that issued a birth, marriage, name-change, divorce, or death paper..
Asking first can prevent a second order from the StandesamtThe German civil registry where the birth is registered..
How Baby Expat can help
Start your plan to see whether Baby Expat can organize the birth-registration steps for your family.
The StandesamtThe German civil registry where the birth is registered. and birth facility still decide the details for your family. They decide which parent papers, name details, certificate types, fees, pickup rules, and mailing rules apply.
Before you act, check the StandesamtThe German civil registry where the birth is registered. in the city where the baby was born or the birth facility for your case. Do not treat one city checklist as a rule for all of Germany.