How to Get a German Birth Certificate

Ask for an international version of a German birth certificate.

If you were born in Germany, you can request for a copy of your German birth certificate. If you are also an American citizen, and your parents reported your birth to the U.S. embassy in Germany, you can also obtain a copy of the Consular Report of Birth. You can do this by yourself or pay for a third-party service to do it for you.

Instructions

1. Get the complete birth information. Obtain the correct full birth name, birthplace, birth date, father's name and mother's maiden name. You will need this to get a German birth certificate.

2. Make a written request for the birth certificate. Use a template in German, such as may be provided by your embassy. For example, the U.S. embassy in Germany provides a free downloadable template for requesting birth, death and marriage certificates. Provide all the details in Step 1 and specify the number of copies you need. Make sure you ask for an international version of the document.

3. Send your request to the local registrar's office. In Germany, the local civil registry is known as a standesamt. Get the address of the standesamt of your place of birth. Contact your embassy or visit the town or city's official website if you need help finding the information. Mail your letter to the standesamt. Be sure to include postage.

4. Get a copy of the Consular Report of Birth Abroad. If the request is for a U.S. citizen, you can contact the Department of State for a copy of the consular report of the birth. Visit the State Department's website for instructions on how to get a copy.

References

• United States Diplomatic Mission To Germany: Obtaining Vital Records
• State Department: How to Apply for a Certified Copy of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad

Resources

• Standesamt Request Template