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Family matters (births, marriages, names)

Important information about the process involved and appointment booking

Important information on the process, appointment booking, processing times and more.

Birth of a child

Want to obtain a German birth certificate for yourself or your child? If a German child is born abroad, it is possible to register the birth in Germany as well (registration of a birth abroad in the German birth register) and thereby obtain a German birth certificate.

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Naming law and name declarations

Surnames that appear on foreign documents and certificates are not always automatically valid under German law. You may need to make a name declaration to register the desired name.

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Registering a marriage that took place abroad in the German marriage register

If a German national enters into a marriage abroad that is valid under German law, the marriage can be recorded in the marriage register at the competent registry office in Germany upon application, and a German marriage certificate can be issued.

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Marriage-related matters

Here you will find information on the following: certificate of non-impediment to marriage, proof of civil status in the United Kingdom, marriage in the United Kingdom, recognition of foreign divorce.

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Declarations under the Self-Determination Act (“Selbstbestimmungsgesetz”)

The Gender Registration (Self-Determination) Act (SBGG) makes it easier for transgender, intersex and non-binary people with German citizenship or whose habitual residence is in Germany to get their gender entry and forenames changed in the civil status records.

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Change of name in other cases

In Germany, there are only limited options available when it comes to changing one’s last name and forenames. German nationals cannot change their forenames and surname at will, even if they live in a country where that is possible (e.g. the United Kingdom).