Obtain a certificate of miscarriage

Prerequisites

• You had a miscarriage.
• You can only apply for the certificate if you would have been entitled to custody of the child at the time of its birth.

This applies if you as parents are married to each other at the time of birth, or
You have already made a joint custody declaration before the birth.
Otherwise, only the mother may apply for the certificate.

Documents required

• if available, a certificate of miscarriage issued by a doctor, midwife or obstetrician
• Maternity Pass
• Parents’ identity card, passport or other recognized passport replacement document
• Parents’ birth certificates
• if available, parents’ marriage certificate
• if desired, information on the intended family name and first name of the child
• if applicable, certificate of burial of the miscarriage

Please note

Women who have suffered a miscarriage are not unprotected, but are entitled to medical care and treatment under general regulations.
A certificate can also be issued for a miscarriage that occurred some time ago.
If a miscarriage or abortion is associated with mental and physical stress that results in incapacity to work, this must be certified by a doctor. Instead of the regulations on continued payment of wages under maternity protection law, the regulations on continued payment of wages in the event of illness or on sick pay under statutory health insurance apply.

Deadlines

No

Procedure

• You can request the certificate from the registry office by email or letter.
• If you would like to apply for the certificate in person, please make an appointment at the registry office by telephone or email.
• Please bring the necessary documents with you to the appointment.
• Based on the information provided, the registry office will accept the application and issue you the certificate.

Processing time

Processing usually takes a week.

Fees

no

Legal remedies

No

Legal basis

§31 paragraph 2 sentence 4 Civil Status Ordinance (PStV)

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstv/__31.html