Apply for a birth certificate or printout from the birth register

Prerequisites

Certificates contain personal data; therefore, their issuance is subject to data protection restrictions.

You can obtain a birth certificate, a certified copy from the birth register, a multilingual (international) birth certificate, or a printout from the birth register if you:

• are at least 16 years old and
  • the person to whom the birth certificate relates or whose
  • spouse or civil partner (within the meaning of the Registered Civil Partnership Act) or their
  • ancestor or descendant or their
  • Siblings with a legitimate interest.

• Other persons, including close relatives such as aunts or uncles, only receive a certificate if they can demonstrate a legitimate interest (for example, through a letter from the probate court).
• Third parties may apply for a certificate with the authorization of the person being certified or a person authorized to certify.

Documents required

• Your identity card or passport (if you are applying for the birth certificate in writing, a copy is required; online you must authenticate yourself electronically with the new identity card),
• If you are applying for or collecting the certificate on behalf of someone else, you will need a written power of attorney from the authorized person as well as their identification document.
• If you are not the person to whom the document relates, nor their spouse, partner, ancestor, descendant, or sibling, you will need proof of your legal interest and, if applicable, a power of attorney.

Please note

If you no longer know the place of birth, please contact the General Register of Hamburg's registry offices in writing. They can determine which registry office recorded the birth.

For birth certificates of births that took place more than 110 years ago, please contact the Hamburg State Archives (see links).

For vital events (birth, marriage, death) registered at a Hamburg registry office from 2009 onwards, further certificates can be issued at any Hamburg registry office. These certificates bear the annotation "Certificate pursuant to Section 67 Paragraph 3 of the Civil Status Act".

Civil status documents contain personal data; therefore, their issuance is subject to data protection restrictions.

The certified printout from the birth register and the certified copy from the birth register replace the former certificate of descent, which was abolished on 01.01.2009.

Deadlines

no

Procedure

You apply for the birth certificate, the certified copy from the birth register, the multilingual birth certificate (international) or the printout from the birth register at the relevant registry office.

You can apply for the above-mentioned types of documents electronically online.

• Use the online service "Document Request".
• You will be guided through the application process.

You can apply for the above-mentioned types of documents in person:

• Please check the opening hours at your local registry office in advance.
• An appointment may be required for personal application/collection.
• For identification purposes, you must present your identity card or passport, and if applicable, a power of attorney authorizing you to collect the document(s).
• You usually pay the fee electronically at the registry office.

You can apply for the above-mentioned types of documents in writing by post, email or fax:

• You should send an informal letter to the relevant registry office requesting that they issue you a certificate. Please specify what type of certificate you require and how many copies you need.
• Your letter should contain the following information
  • Name first Name
  • Date and place of birth
  • Name, first name of the parents of the person being certified
  • If known: registry office and registration number
• Please enclose a copy of your identity card or passport with your letter.
• You will receive the requested documents by mail.
• They pay the fees.

Processing time

• The processing time depends on the individual case.


• If you appear in person, you will usually receive the certificate immediately.

Fees

The fees for birth certificates, certified copies from the birth register, printouts from the birth register and multilingual birth certificates (international) are as follows:

• 19.50 EUR per certificate


• 8.50 EUR for each additional certificate in the same processing step


• Birth certificates for pension purposes and other social purposes are free of charge.

Example: You apply for two birth certificates and one multilingual birth certificate. The fee for the first certificate is €19.50 each. An additional €8.50 is due for each certificate in the same processing step. The total fees amount to €47.50 (€19.50 + €19.50 + €8.50).

Legal remedies

If the issuance is refused, you can submit an application for a court order to the Hamburg District Court, Sievekingplatz 1.

Legal basis

Sections 55 to 58 of the Civil Status Act (PStG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstg/__55.html




Sections 62 to 68 of the Civil Status Act (PStG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstg/__62.html




Sections 48 to 50 of the Civil Status Ordinance (PStV)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstv/__50.html