Birth
Congratulations on the birth of your child
Here we explain which documents you need to take with you to the hospital, which formalities you can take care of before the birth of your child and a few things about naming your child.
If the child's mother is unmarried or legally divorced, she is generally the only person listed on the child's birth certificate. If the father is to be included on the birth certificate, he must submit an acknowledgement of paternity - this must be recorded by a registrar (registry office, youth welfare office or notary). The personal presence of the father and mother is required. Acknowledgment of paternity can also be made before the child is born. Despite acknowledgment of paternity, sole custody remains with the mother and the child bears the mother's surname. Joint custody can be declared at the youth welfare office.
If one of the parents is a foreign national, please call the registry office and ask in detail which documents are required to certify the birth of your child.
Documents you should take with you to the hospital:
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You are married and a German national
Then the registry office needs your marriage certificate (original) and your two birth certificates (original).
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You are divorced and a German citizen
You need a current marriage certificate with divorce decree (original) or marriage certificate and divorce decree with final decree and your birth certificate (original).
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You were born or married abroad
Please ask at the registry office what documents/deeds are needed.
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You are single and a German citizen
Then please take your birth certificate (original) with you to the hospital.
What should the child's name be?
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Child first name
Of course, your child should get the most beautiful first name, but for this there are some things to consider - it must be a gender-specific first name, i.e. for boys a male first name, for girls a female first name. Gender-neutral first names, e.g. Luca, have been allowed to be chosen as the sole first name for some time. If you have any questions about first names, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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Last name of the child
If the child's parents are married and have determined a common married name, their child will automatically also be given your married name.
If the parents do not have a common surname, they decide together which surname the child should have. This surname then also applies to the other joint children.
If the mother is not married, the child will have the surname that the mother had at the time of birth.
If the child is to have the father's surname, paternity must be acknowledged and a name must be granted.