How to Get a Birth Certificate from Germany

Americans born in Germany can get copies of their birth certificate from more than one source.

Birth certificates are used as proof of age, genealogy research or proof of citizenship. Americans born in Germany at a military base or hospital should contact the U.S. Department of State at travel.state.gov to obtain a birth certificate. Individuals born in Germany, but not on a U.S. military base, can obtain a birth certificate in multiple languages through a simple online process.

Instructions

1. Go to the Germany-Service website. Click on the "Birth certificate from Germany" link on the left side of the web page.

2. Complete the form. Review all information for correctness and verify the spelling as needed. Click on the "Send the form and go to payment page."

3. Select the type of document needed. Click on "Add to cart." Verify the number of certificates required. The most popular type is the multilingual form for a cost, as of June 2010, of $69.

4. Complete the checkout process. The certificate will be mailed to the address listed in the request form.

Tips & Warnings

• If no certificate can be located, a full refund is given.

• The U.S. Embassy in Germany (germany.usembassy.gov) may also be able to help.

References

• Germany Service: Birth Certificate Request
• U.S. Department of State: Replace Consular Report of Birth
• United States Diplomatic Mission to Germany: Obtaining Vital Records