Birth
Hurrah, the baby is here!
Congratulations! Are you about to be or have just become parents?
You no doubt have many questions. We have already prepared answers to the most frequently asked questions
Note:
Please note that the clinic where the child was born has one week's time to notify the Registry Office of the birth. There is, therefore, no sense in making an appointment in advance or if you do not have the requisite documentation. The Registry Office cannot certify the birth of a child until all the necessary documentation has been provided.
When you present the birth certificate, you will receive a voucher for a baby box. You can collect it from the family information office.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Leipzig Registry Office receives birth notifications from the clinics, maternity hospitals and midwives. One week after the birth, an appointment can be made to collect the birth certificate. The relevant phone numbers and office hours can be found in the information leaflet issued by the clinic. However, you can also make an appointment by e-mail or select one yourself via the online calendar. You can request an appointment online for the certification of newborn babies.
Parents who are not married to each other
(paternity has already been acknowledged and the parents have joint custody of the child).
- Birth certificates of both parents
- Certificate of acknowledgement of paternity with proof of custody (issued by a youth welfare office or by a notary)
- Identification (identity card/passport with proof of residence)
- Birth certificates of any previous children from this relationship with proof of paternity/custody
- Marriage certificate (if one of the parents is or was married)
Parents who are married to each other
- Marriage certificate or transcript of the family register clearly indicating the names used
- Birth certificates of both parents
- Identification (identity card/passport with proof of residence)
The children's mother is divorced or widowed
Legally binding divorce decree or, where applicable, husband's death certificate in addition to the documents referred to above
Note:
Original documentation must be provided!
Certificates issued abroad must be translated into German by an interpreter. Foreign certificates are subject to authentication (apostil or legalisation).
The notification of birth issued by the clinic should include all details. The child's first name must be validated by a parent's signature. Please note: first names must be indicated as such. Entry into the birth register is not a problem provided that the name is listed in the International Handbook of Forenames. However, websites will not be recognised.
In Leipzig there are onomatologists who can, if required, provide assistance with validating the desired name.
If you do not have all the necessary documents to hand, please procure them. You can obtain birth certificates and marriage certificates from the Births Register or the Registry Office which performed the marriage ceremony.
Note:
If documents are missing or if the desired first name is not eligible for registration, no certification can be provided. If this is the case, please advise the Registry Office.
The father of the child is, by law, the man who is married to the child's mother. This also applies if the married couple are separated.
The child's father is the man who has acknowledged paternity provided that there is no other possible father.
Acknowledgement of paternity must be submitted in the form of a written certificate and is subject to the consent of the child's mother. This step can be taken even before the birth of the child. The possibility for joint custody of the child must also be declared in writing. Please contact a youth welfare office or notary to submit this declaration.
An acknowledgement of paternity can also be submitted to the Registry Office, but a declaration of custody cannot.
Certification of the birth is free of charge (excluding children born abroad).
The parents will be issued with certificates free of charge.
A fee of EUR 10.00 will be charged for the issuance of private certificates and an extra EUR 5.00 for each additional copy.
If a declaration of name use or name change is filed, a fee of EUR 25.00 will be charged.
The child's birth certificate must be translated into German by an interpreter or translator.
You can present this certificate together with the translation to the authorities. If you wish to re-register the birth of a child with the Registry Office, please make an appointment to discuss the requirements for re-registration.
If a new copy of a certificate is required, you can obtain this from the birth Registry Office.
Changes such as acknowledgement of paternity or marriage of the parents together with changes of name are, where applicable, recorded in the births registry. These changes can be submitted in writing, via the X-tra online platform or in person during official opening hours. Of course, a different, authorised person may also take receipt of the certificate.
Important details are the date of birth, place of birth and the name of the child.
The certificate costs EUR 10.00 excluding cash on delivery charges.
Standesamt Leipzig
SG Geburten
Burgplatz 1
04109 Leipzig
During office hours:
Phone: 0341 123-4146
Outside office hours:
Phone: 0341 123-0
Opening hours
Monday: 09:00-12:00 hours
Tuesday: 09:00-12:00 hours and 13:00-18:00 hours
Wednesday: closed
Thursday: 13:00-16:00 hours
Friday: closed
Office hours to make appointments for registering new births
Wednesday: 08:00-10:00 hours
Thursday: 08:00-10:00 hours
You can request an appointment online for the certification of newborn babies.
Note:
Please note that the clinic where the child was born has one week's time to notify the Registry Office of the birth. There is, therefore, no sense in making an appointment in advance or if you do not have the requisite documentation. The Registry Office cannot certify the birth of a child until all the necessary documentation has been provided. In this case, it is not possible to order a certificate or make any other appointment.