Apply for a birth certificate
Source: BUS Rheinland-PfalzAfter birth, every child in Germany must be registered in the register of births. After this registration, you can also apply for a birth certificate to be issued. This proves the birth of the person and contains details of the place and time of birth as well as the first name and surname. As a rule, it also contains details of the person's gender and parents.
You will need a birth certificate in various contexts throughout your life. It can also be issued on a multilingual form for use abroad. You can use it in many countries without a translation.
You can have an (international) birth certificate issued at the registry office that recorded your birth. In federal states where there is a central register network, you can also obtain the birth certificate from any other registry office in the register network there.
Applying in person
- Go to the registry office where the birth was registered.
- Present your identity card or passport to prove your identity.
- You usually pay the fee in advance when applying at the registry office.
- A person you trust can order and collect the certificate on your behalf; your representative will present their own identity card or passport in addition to a written power of attorney.
Application by post or fax
- Send an informal letter to the relevant registry office asking them to issue you with a birth certificate from the register of births. Depending on the city or municipality, you may also find application forms on the Internet.
- Your letter must contain the following information:
- Surname, first name
- Date and place of birth
- Surname, first name of parents
- if known: Registry office and notarization number
- Please enclose a certified copy of your identity card or passport with the letter.
- You will receive a notification of fees when the certificate is sent to you, unless you have already paid the fees.
The personal data in the civil status register is subject to data protection. Birth certificates can therefore only be issued
- for persons to whom the entry relates
and their
- spouses,
- civil partners (within the meaning of the Civil Partnership Act),
- ancestors and descendants (such as parents or grandparents as well as children and grandchildren),
- Siblings, if they can prove a legitimate interest.
Other persons, including close relatives such as aunts and uncles, only receive a birth certificate if they can credibly demonstrate a legal interest (examples: Letter from the probate court, court judgment or enforceable title).
Applicants must be at least 16 years old.
You must submit the following when applying
- Your identity card, passport or eID (if applying in writing: certified copy)
- when applying or collecting by a representative:
- Written power of attorney from the authorized person,
- their identity card (original or certified copy or eID) or
- Passport (original or certified copy) and
- the identity card, passport or eID of the representative
- for other persons:
- proof of their legal interest, if applicable
Storage Period: 110 YearsThe birth certificate can be issued 110 years after the register is created.
- Application for a court decision at the local court responsible for the registry office
21.11.2022
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
For online application:
The nearest responsible office to you:
Standesamt
New naming law from May 1, 2025
Please send questions and appointments regarding the new naming law to namenserklaerung@stadt.mainz.de. Please provide your name, address and telephone number. The colleagues will then get in touch with you. Information on important changes can be found under Downloads.
Certificate request
Under Downloads/Links you will find our ordering and payment system for certificates from the register of births, marriages, civil partnerships and deaths.
Alternatively, you can request certificates in writing or by fax. Please enclose a copy of your identity card or passport. You will find the contact details in the contact box.
Leaving the church
If you wish to submit a declaration of withdrawal from the church, you must first make an appointment. Use the following link to register your intention to leave the church:
Online pre-registration to leave the church
Alternatively, you can submit the declaration in writing to the registry office. The declaration must be publicly certified (e.g. by a notary).
Address
55116 Mainz
Remark:
Kaiserstraße Town Hall, Kreyßig Wing
Building access
Remark:
Wheelchair-accessible WC available (5th floor Kreyßig wing, first floor Lauteren wing).
Postal address
55026 Mainz
Building access
Remark:
Wheelchair-accessible WC available (5th floor Kreyßig wing, first floor Lauteren wing).
Contact
Telephone
Telephone
Fax
Opening hours
All offices are open to the public by appointment.
If you would like to speak to us in person, you must first make an appointment by telephone. This applies to the following matters:
- Certificate office
- Leaving the church
- Birth certificates
- Marriage registrations, special cases, e.g. certificate of no impediment to marriage, name declarations
- Pension law matters
Death certificates:
Monday 8.30 a.m. to 12 noon
Tuesday 8.30 a.m. to 12 noon
Wednesday 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Thursday 8.30 a.m. to 12 noon
Friday 8.30 a.m. to 12 noon
Contact person
Sachgebiet Personenstandsrechtliche Sonderfälle, Urkundenbestellungen, Familienbuch und Eheanmeldungen
Address
55116 Mainz
Remark:
Kaiserstraße Town Hall, Kreyßig Wing
Building access
Remark:
Wheelchair-accessible WC available (5th floor Kreyßig wing, first floor Lauteren wing).
Postal address
55026 Mainz
Building access
Remark:
Wheelchair-accessible WC available (5th floor Kreyßig wing, first floor Lauteren wing).