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If you need proof of birth to present to foreign authorities, you can apply for a multilingual birth certificate.

The birth certificate proves the birth of a person, their first and last names and the details of their parents. You can have a multilingual birth certificate issued on the basis of the birth register kept at the relevant registry office. The multilingual form includes the languages English, French, Spanish and Italian. The certificate does not require any further certification (legalization/apostille) in the contracting states of the Convention.

To apply for a birth certificate, you will need

• Your identity card or passport (if applying in writing: certified copy),
• if the application is made or collected by a representative:
  • written power of attorney from the authorized person,
  • their identity card or passport (original or certified copy)
  • and the identity card or passport of the representative
• certain persons must also provide credible evidence of a legal or legitimate interest

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)
  • Ancestors and descendants of the person concerned
  • Siblings with a legitimate interest
• Other persons, including close relatives such as aunts and uncles, will only receive a certificate if they can credibly demonstrate a legal interest (e.g. by means of a letter from the probate court).

The issuing of a birth certificate is subject to fees in accordance with state law. The relevant registry office can provide you with information on the amount of these fees.

Birth certificate, certified printout from the birth register or international birth certificate EUR 15.00 each
if issued at the same time for each additional copy: EUR 7.50

Apply in person:

• Go to the registry office that certified the birth.
• You must present your identity card or passport to prove your identity.
• You usually pay the fee when you apply at the registry office.
• 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, they must present your identity card or passport (original or certified copy) and their own identity card or passport.

Application by post or fax:

• 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
  • Surname, first name of parents
  • if known: Registry office and notarization number
• Please enclose a certified copy of your identity card or passport with the letter.
• You will receive a notification of fees when the certificate is sent to you.

Online application:

Depending on the services offered by the city or municipality, you can also submit the application online.

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• Birth certificate issue multilingual
• Application should - if possible - be made online via the respective portals of the cities and municipalities
• Multilingual certificates are intended for presentation to foreign authorities
• only the relevant foreign authority can decide whether a multilingual document is appropriate and whether additional certification (legalization/apostille) is required
• no additional legalization is required in the contracting states of the Convention (see legal bases)
• the form text of the certificate is issued in 16 languages of the contracting states (see legal bases), the information about the person is taken from the German birth register
• Responsible: Registry office that certified the birth

Resident registry office or competent registry office

• The registry office that certified the birth. For births in Germany, this is the registry office responsible for the specific place of birth.
• In the case of births abroad, if it is not known whether and where the birth was registered, you can enquire at the registry office of your place of residence or at Registry Office I in Berlin.

• Forms: none
• Online service available: depending on what the office offers
• Written form required:
• Personal appearance required:

• Written form required: yes
• Personal appearance required: no