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If your child is born at home, i.e. not in a hospital or other facility where obstetric care is provided, it is a home birth.

You can apply for a birth certificate for a home birth on the basis of the certification made in the birth register. A birth certificate proves the birth of a person, their first and last names and the details of the parents.

The birth certificate is issued by the registry office that notarized the birth.

To apply for a birth certificate, you will need

• Your valid identity card or passport (if applying in writing: certified copy),
• in the case of application or collection by a representative:
  • written authorization issued by you,
  • your valid identity card or passport (original or certified copy) and
  • the valid identity card or passport of the representative

You will need the following documents to register a home birth:

• medical certificate or certificate from the midwife or obstetrician about the birth,
• valid identity card, passport or a recognized passport replacement document from you as parents,
• if you are or were married to each other as parents, additionally:
  • Marriage certificate or certified printout from the marriage register,
  • Birth certificates if your dates of birth are not shown on the marriage certificate,
• if you as parents are not married to each other, additionally:
  • Birth certificate of the mother,
  • if paternity has already been recognized: Birth certificate of the father and declaration of acknowledgment of paternity,
  • if applicable, declarations of custody
• if the name of one of the parents has changed:
  • Proof of the name change

Civil status certificates contain personal data, so their issue is subject to data protection restrictions.

• Authorized applicants (minimum age: 16 years):
  • The person to whom the birth certificate relates,
  • the spouse or civil partner (within the meaning of the Registered Civil Partnership Act),
  • direct ancestors and descendants of the person concerned,
  • Siblings with a legitimate interest.
• Other persons, including close relatives such as aunts or uncles, only receive a certificate if they can credibly demonstrate a legal interest (e.g. by means of a letter from the probate court, court judgment or enforceable title).

The application must be submitted to the registry office that notarized the birth.

Personal application

The personal application is made as follows:

• An appointment may be required to apply in person.
• You must present your valid identity card or passport.
• You pay the fee directly at the registry office when you apply.

In addition to yourself, a person you trust may also order and collect the certificate on your behalf. In addition to a written power of attorney granted by you, they must present your valid identity card or passport (original or certified copy) and their own valid identity card or passport.

Application by post

The written application is made as follows:

• Send an informal letter to the relevant registry office asking them to issue you with a birth certificate.
• Your letter should contain the following information:
  • Surname, first name
  • Date and place of birth
  • if known: Registry office and certification number
• Enclose a certified copy of your valid identity card or passport with the letter.
• You will then receive a notification of fees.
• Once you have provided proof of payment of the fees (e.g. by sending another email with a copy of your bank statement), the birth certificate will be sent to you immediately by post.

Online application

You can also apply for the certificate online.

• Birth certificate issue for home births
• A home birth is when the birth did not take place in a hospital or a facility providing obstetric care
• a birth certificate can be issued on request on the basis of the certification made in the birth register
• Responsible: Registry office of the child's place of birth

the registry office of the place of birth