Apply for a birth certificate

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 child'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 have an (international) birth certificate issued at the registry office that recorded your birth.

Applying in person

• Go to the registry office where the birth was registered.
• Present your identity card or passport to prove your identity.
• A person you trust can order and collect the certificate for you; your representative will present their own identity card or passport in addition to a written power of attorney.

Application by post 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 the city or municipality, you may also find application forms on the Internet.
• Your letter must contain the following information:
  • Surname, first name
  • Date and place of birth
  • Surname, first name of parents
  • if known: Registry office and notarization number
• Please enclose a copy of your identity card or passport with the letter.
• You will receive a notification of fees when the certificate is sent to you, unless you have already paid the fees.

Please contact your local registry office.

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 relates

and their

• spouses,
• civil partners (within the meaning of the Civil Partnership 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.

When applying in person, you must bring:

• Your identity card, passport or eID (if applying in writing: copy)
• if applying or collecting by a representative:
  • written authorization for the person who is to represent you
  • Your identity card or passport (original or copy)
  • Identity card or passport of your representative
• for other persons:
  • proof of their legal interest, if applicable

Fee: EUR 10,00

The birth certificate can be issued 110 years after the register is created.

Storage Period: 110 JAHR

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Thuringian Ministry of the Interior, Municipal Affairs and Regional Development

09.01.2026