Birth certificate – New birth

Parents with limited knowledge of German: Please make an appointment and bring an interpreter with you

For parents who speak or understand German only to a limited extent, it is essential to bring an interpreter with you to the appointment or when registering your child’s birth. The interpreter must be able to provide proof of identity by means of a recognised, valid identity document, but does not need to be a sworn interpreter. We therefore strongly urge you to make an appointment in advance.

Birth notification

If the birth takes place at Jena University Hospital or the Jena Birth Centre, we will receive what is known as a ‘birth notification’ from these facilities. In the case of a home birth, the birth notification must be submitted in writing within 7 working days by presenting the midwife’s certificate.

The birth notification must specify where and when the child was born. In this context, the parents must, in particular, state what the child’s first name or names are to be (-> Naming).

As soon as the birth notification has been received, please come to the Registry Office in person to have the birth registered. In some circumstances, both parents may be required to be present.

Naming

The name of a German child consists of at least one first name and a surname. The right to choose a name is linked to parental responsibility.

If the parents are married, they are jointly entitled to parental responsibility by law. If the parents are not married, joint parental responsibility can be declared to the Youth Welfare Office.

If at least one parent is not a German national, it may, in certain circumstances, be possible to choose a naming convention that differs from German naming law. In this case, please be sure to check with the registry office.

First name

• The child’s first name is chosen by the parent with custody. If both parents have custody, they must both agree on the child’s first name.
• Only names that are, by their very nature, first names may be chosen. If two first names are joined by a hyphen, they form a single first name.
• Once the registration has been completed at the registry office, subsequent changes are generally not permitted. The choice of first name must not jeopardise the child’s welfare.

Surname/birth surname

• Where the mother has sole custody: In principle, the child takes the mother’s surname by operation of law. However, once paternity has been acknowledged, the child may also be given the father’s surname (known as ‘assignment of a surname’).
• In the case of joint parental responsibility: By law, the child bears the parents’ married surname as their surname at birth. If the parents do not share a common surname, they must determine the child’s surname at the registry office for their first child together (known as ‘name determination’). This determination applies to all subsequent children born to them, provided that they also have joint custody of these children.

Please note that both parents must be present at the registry office for both the assignment of a surname and the determination of a surname. These two declarations regarding the child’s name may also be made before the child’s birth.

Please also note that, as a general rule, both parents with custody must confirm their child’s first name(s) with their own handwritten signature. Where necessary, confirmation of the first name(s) by the parent with custody who is not present at the time of registration may therefore be required.

All the certificates and documents listed below must be submitted in their original form for registration at the registry office. Foreign certificates must always be translated into German by an interpreter authorised to practise in Germany. Please note that further documents may be required in certain cases.

• Identity documents (identity card or passport) of the mother and father
• Parents who are married to each other:
  • Marriage certificate
  • Birth certificates of both parents
• Parents who are not married to each other:
  • Birth certificates of both parents
  • Acknowledgement of paternity (if already made before the birth) and, where applicable, a declaration of custody

If the mother’s marital status is ‘divorced’ or ‘widowed’, the marriage certificate for the dissolved marriage must also be submitted, along with proof of the divorce (final court judgement) or the spouse’s death certificate.

Please pay by debit or credit card.