Custody and Acknowledgement of Paternity

Parents who have a child together outside of marriage may exercise joint parental custody after making a custody declaration (Sorgeerklärung).

Such custody declarations must be publicly certified; this can be done at any Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt) or by a notary public (for a fee). In the case of a dispute, custody declarations may only be repealed by a family court (Familiengericht).

Therefore, you are advised to seek advice beforehand.

A legally binding acknowledgement of paternity (Vaterschaftsanerkennung) is required for certification purposes.

You do not need to make an appointment to receive advice during consultation hours.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the secretariat.

If a mother is unmarried, legally divorced or widowed when her child is born, her new-born baby will initially have no “legal” father. This requires an acknowledgement from the father.
He must declare this acknowledgement before a notary, who will then issue a certificate. The mother must also give her consent in a publicly notarised form. These declarations can be made before the child is born. They can be made alone or together.
If the child’s mother or father is a minor, their legal representatives must give their consent for certification purposes.

You do not need to make an appointment to receive advice during consultation hours.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with the secretariat.
Please contact the registry office (Standesamt) for more Informations