Have your birth registered abroad

If you or a close family member were born abroad in an ascending or descending line of descent, you can apply for subsequent certification of the birth in the birth register (formerly birth register) at the registry office in Germany. You apply for the...

If you or a close family member were born abroad in an ascending or descending line of descent, you can apply for subsequent certification of the birth in the birth register (formerly birth register) at the registry office in Germany.

You apply for the certification at the registry office that is responsible for your German place of residence or the German place of residence of the person entitled to apply. If neither a current nor a former German place of residence can be determined, you can apply for certification at your responsible German diplomatic mission or at the registry office in Berlin I.

You are not obliged to register the birth afterwards. Birth certificates from abroad are often recognized in Germany, provided their authenticity is beyond question.

However, the subsequent entry in the birth register can be advantageous because the local registry office can then issue you with a German birth certificate. This means that you no longer have to have the foreign document translated and certified for future requests.

Important notes

Prerequisites

You have German citizenship, are stateless or a recognized refugee whose habitual residence is in Germany.
You are applying for certification

oneself,
Her child,
a parent or
Your spouse or partner.

Documents required

Application form for certification of a foreign birth in the birth register
foreign birth certificate with translation; if necessary legalization or apostille
Valid identity card, passport or travel document
Marriage and birth certificates of the parents of the person to whom the entry relates
if applicable, certificate of naturalization or proof of citizenship
if necessary, further documents with proof of authenticity and, if necessary, a translation, depending on the individual case

You must submit all documents in the original.

Please note

The registry office at your German place of residence or your usual place of residence is responsible
of those born abroad. If this does not result in responsibility, then the registry office of the applicant's place of residence is responsible for the re-certification.

The re-certification can only take place after prior consultation with the responsible registry office. During the consultation you will find out which documents have to be presented for re-certification.

You can see whether an appointment is required for advice at the relevant registry office by looking at the opening times of the respective registry office.

Deadlines

There is no deadline.

Procedure & Fees

Procedure

For details on the modalities and the documents that the registry office needs from you, please call them in advance.

Gather the necessary documents and go to the registry office.
The registrar will check whether certification by a German registry office is possible.
If the requirements are met, the entry in the birth register can take place.
If necessary, the registry office will issue you with a birth certificate after the entry in the register has taken place.

Fees

Certification in the birth register: from EUR 80.00

Birth certificate / certified printout from the birth register: EUR 14.50 (if ordered at the same time, each additional copy EUR 6.00 each)

Other services, such as issuing an apostille or translations, may incur additional costs and fees.

Legal notes

Legal remedies

If the subsequent certification is rejected, you can contact the district court of Hamburg and apply for an instruction in accordance with Section 49 PStG.