Request birth certificate

  • Service description

    After birth, every child in Germany must be registered in the register of births. After this registration, you can also apply for a birth certificate to be issued. This proves the birth of the person and contains details of the place and time of birth as well as the first name and surname. As a rule, it also contains details of the person's gender and parents.

    You will need a birth certificate in various contexts throughout your life. It can also be issued on a multilingual form for use abroad. You can use it in many countries without a translation.

    You can have an (international) birth certificate issued at the registry office that registered your birth. In federal states where there is a central register network, you can also obtain a birth certificate from any other registry office in the register network.

  • Process flow

    Personal application

    • Go to the registry office that recorded the birth.
    • For legitimation you present your identity card or passport.
    • You usually pay the fee in advance when you apply at the registry office.
    • A person you trust can order and collect the certificate on your behalf; your representative must present their own identity card or passport in addition to a written power of attorney.

    Application by mail or fax

    • Send an informal letter to the relevant registry office asking them to issue you with a birth certificate from the register of births. Depending on what the city or municipality offers, you can also find application forms on the Internet.
    • Your letter must include the following information:
      • Name, first name
      • Date and place of birth
      • Name, first name of parents
      • if known: Registry office and registration number
    • Attach a certified copy of your ID card or passport to the letter.
    • You will receive a notification of fees when the certificate is sent to you, unless you have already paid the fees.

  • Responsible office

    Registry office

  • Requirements

    The personal data in the civil status register is subject to data protection. Birth certificates can therefore only be issued

    • for persons to whom the entry refers

    as well as their

    • Spouses,
    • Life partners (within the meaning of the German Life Partnerships Act),
    • Ancestors and descendants (such as parents or grandparents as well as children and grandchildren),
    • Siblings, if they can prove a legitimate interest.

    Other persons, including close relatives such as aunts and uncles, only receive a birth certificate if they can credibly demonstrate a legal interest (examples: Letter from the probate court, court judgment or enforceable title).

    Applicants must be at least 16 years old.

  • What documents are needed?

    You must submit your application:

    • Your identity card, passport or eID (if applying in writing: certified copy)
    • if applied for or collected by a representative:
      • written power of attorney from the authorized person,
      • their identity card (original or certified copy or eID) or
      • Passport (original or certified copy) and
      • the identity card, passport or eID of the representative
    • for other persons:
      • proof of their legal interest, if applicable

  • What are the fees?

    Fee: 15,00 €
    Prepayment: No

    Fee: 7,50 €
    Prepayment: No
    for each copy requested at the same time and issued in the same operation

  • Legal basis

  • What else should I know?

    Certificates of descent have no longer been issued since 2009.


Responsible departments

Responsible employees