As the parent with custody, you must register the birth of your child at the registry office responsible for the place of birth.

If the birth does not take place in a hospital or other facility where obstetric care is provided, you must register the birth in person at the registry office within one week. If it is not possible for you to report the birth yourself, it can also be reported by a person who was present at the birth.

You must report the birth of your child to the registry office in the place of birth. It does not matter where you are registered at the time of the birth.

After the birth, you will receive free birth certificates from the registry office to apply for maternity assistance, child benefit and parental allowance. These certificates are only issued once for the respective purpose. The birth certificates can only be issued after the birth has been recorded in the register of births. Additional certificates for private purposes are issued in the desired number for a fee. The fees vary depending on the registry office.

The registry office informs the registration office about the birth of your child.
After the birth has been certified, you will receive a birth certificate if the child's name has already been determined, otherwise a certified printout of the register.

You can report the birth of your child in person as the mother or custodial father, but it is also possible for the birth to be reported by another person who was present at the birth.

You will need the following documents to register the birth:

• the identity card, passport or a recognized passport replacement document of both parents of the child
• If you are married: additionally a certified printout from the marriage register with references or birth certificates and the parents' marriage certificate
• If you are a single mother: additionally your birth certificate
• If you are a divorced or widowed mother: additionally a certified printout from the marriage register with references or your birth certificate and your marriage certificate and the divorce decree or death certificate
• if the parents are not married to each other and paternity has already been recognized or is to be recognized before the birth is certified: additionally a certified copy of the father's declaration of recognition, a certified copy of the mother's declaration of consent and the father's birth certificate
• if the name of one of the parents has changed: proof of the name change
• if the parents have already established joint custody: a certified copy of the declaration of custody
• in the case of foreign parents: additional proof of the residence permit to verify the child's acquisition of German citizenship

Note: The registry office may request further documents if this is necessary to verify information. Documents from abroad must be submitted in the original and in each case with a German translation by a recognized translator.

You must report the birth of your child to the registry office responsible for the place of birth within one week.

The processing time varies from region to region and depends on the individual case.

Notification of a birth at the registry office is free of charge.

Notification of birth is free of charge. Fee-based certificates for private purposes can also be paid for in cash or by EC card.