Birth Abroad; Applying for Retrospective Registration in the German Birth Registry

A birth that occurred abroad can be retroactively registered by filing an application with the appropriate civil registry office if the person born abroad holds German citizenship at the time the application is filed. The child’s parents, the child themselves, their spouse, civil partner, or children are eligible to file the application.

The registry office responsible for the registration is the one within whose jurisdiction the person born abroad resides , last resided, or has their habitual residence. If no jurisdiction can be determined based on the above, the civil registry office in whose jurisdiction the applicant resides , last resided, or has their habitual residence will register the birth. If jurisdiction still cannot be determined, Civil Registry Office I in Berlin will register the birth.

Retroactive registration of a birth is possible for

• German citizens
• stateless persons, stateless foreigners, and foreign refugees with habitual residence in Germany

Those eligible to apply are

• the person born abroad themselves
• their parents
• their children
• the spouse or domestic partner

• The relevant civil registry office will be happy to assist you.

Registration in the Birth Registry: 70.00 EUR

Birth certificate / certified copy from the birth registry: 12.00 EUR