Geburtseintragung

Geburtseintragung is the official recording of a birth in the civil registry. It establishes the child’s legal status and serves as the basis for issuing essential documents such as a birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde) and, later, identity papers or passports. The entry is made by the civil registry authority, commonly named Standesamt in Germany and Standesämter or Magistrate in Austria, or equivalent authorities in other German-speaking countries.

The entry typically includes: the child’s full name; date and place of birth; sex; and information about the parents, including names, dates and places of birth, and marital or parentage status. Depending on jurisdiction, additional details such as the parents’ occupations and places of residence may be recorded, and later changes (for example, name changes or adoption) are reflected in the register.

Registration is usually initiated by a birth declaration, often provided by the hospital or midwife, with the parents or guardians presenting required documents. Commonly requested documents include identification for the parents, the hospital birth notification, and any proof of parental status or marriage. Some jurisdictions allow or require the registration to be completed within a short period after birth.

After registration, the civil registry issues or records a birth certificate and the birth entry remains in the civil register. The record can be amended if inaccuracies are discovered or if legal changes affect the child’s status. In international contexts, births abroad may be registered with the local civil registry or through consular services, and the entry can interact with nationality and citizenship procedures.