The birth certificate proves the birth of a person, their first and last names and the details of their parents. You can request a birth certificate at any time from the registry office in whose area you were born. The birth certificate is issued by the registry office that recorded the birth.

You can also obtain the birth certificate in the form of an international birth certificate. The international birth certificate is available in many different languages.

The birth certificate can also be issued in a restricted form on request. It does not contain any data on:

• gender
• parents

.

In addition, you have the option of requesting a certificate of the time of birth. This certificate only contains information about the exact date and time of the person's birth. However, the certificate is not considered a civil status certificate.

If the child's personal details change, for example due to a subsequent acknowledgement of paternity or a change of name by the parents, the birth entry is supplemented by a subsequent certification. A new birth certificate can be issued upon request.

Birth certificates contain personal data, so their issue is subject to data protection restrictions.

Who can apply for a birth certificate (minimum age 16)?

• The person to whom the birth certificate relates
• the parents
• the spouse or civil partner (within the meaning of the LPartG)
• the direct ancestors and descendants of the person concerned (in direct line)
• Siblings with a legitimate interest

Other persons, including close relatives such as aunts and uncles, will only receive a certificate if they can credibly demonstrate a legal interest (e.g. by means of a letter from the probate court, court judgment or enforceable title).

To apply for a birth certificate, you will need:

• Your identity card or passport (a copy if applying in writing, online you must authenticate yourself electronically with the new identity card / upload a scan of the ID),
• when applying for or collecting by a representative: a written power of attorney from the authorized person, their ID card or passport (original or copy) and the ID card or passport of the representative,
for other persons, proof of their legal interest.

The time it takes to process the application varies from region to region. As a rule, it takes around 2 to 5 days.

First copy: EUR 10.00

Each additional identical copy: EUR 5.00

If you can prove that you need the birth certificate for state social benefits, the certificate is free of charge

When applying in person:

• Cash payment
• EC card

With written application:

• Transfer