Recognition of paternity

A declaration acknowledging paternity of a child and the mother's declaration of consent can be notarized at any registry office, youth welfare office or notary's office. Paternity can be effectively recognized if there is no paternity of another man to this child. The acknowledgement of paternity and the mother's declaration of consent are notarized in public form.

Acknowledgment of paternity is possible even before the birth of the child.

Under German law, the woman who gave birth to the child is the mother of the child. Recognition of maternity is generally not required. If recognition of maternity or a declaration of consent from a legal representative is required, these must also be notarized by a registry office, the youth welfare office or a notary's office.

If the foreign law of the mother's or father's home country prescribes an acknowledgement of maternity, it can also be publicly notarized. The same regulations apply as for paternity acknowledgment.