Step 1. Have baby.
Step 2. Recover.
Step 3. Get your baby’s citizenship and passport sorted.
Step 4. Get your baby a residence permit!
Before reading on, you should know that we’ve made a few assumptions about you and your family:
- That your baby’s legally recognised parents are both foreign nationals.
- That at least one of your baby’s parents has a valid residence permit for Germany.
- That the parents have joint custody and everyone lives together.
- That everyone in your new family wants to stay in Germany.
Getting a residence permit for your baby might involve a bit of document stress and some waiting time, but chances are, it will end in success. It involves a trip to either the Bürgeramt or the Ausländerbehörde.
When Can I Go to the Bürgeramt?
Naturally, if you can avoid a trip to the Ausländerbehörde, all the better! Go to your local Bürgeramt if:
- you and your partner both have residency permits and joint custody (or you, as a single parent, have a residency permit and full custody)
- your residency permits were both issued by the Ausländerbehörde Berlin
- your baby was born in Germany and is registered as living in a household with the custodial parent/s
If there is anything about your family’s situation that deviates from the above even slightly, e.g. if one of your baby’s parents is actually a European citizen with freedom of movement (and therefore won’t have a residency permit), the Bürgeramt will probably tell you to take your case to the Ausländerbehörde instead. If in doubt, just go to the Ausländerbehörde.
For the Bürgeramt, you’ll need to bring:
- your baby’s passport
- both parents’ passports
- a biometric photo (they’re a bit more lenient with the requirements for babies and kids younger than 6. For example, if your baby has his mouth open, it’s probably still OK.)
- your baby’s birth certificate
Off to the Foreigner’s Office
Here’s what to bring:
- Passports for the whole family
- Application form (you can download it online here) in German, English, French, Italian, Greek, Turkish, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian
- Biometric photos of each foreign family member
- If baby’s parents are married or in a civil partnership, take your marriage certificate and make sure that it has an Apostille! Read more about Apostilles here.
- Your baby’s birth certificate
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of secure livelihood (e.g. payslips, employment contract, pension contributions, a tax audit report for self-employment, etc etc)
Other things you might need depending on your individual situation:
- Everyone in the family should be present. But if your partner can’t make the appointment, try this: get them to write a signed power of attorney letter in German authorising you to apply for your baby’s residency permit on their behalf, and take their passport along too.
- your rental lease
- a certificate regarding legal custody
- a school attendance certificate if any kids in your family are required to attend school
- your scuba diving license (just kidding).
Should I get Translations of Foreign Certificates?
Translations are not listed as a requirement on the official website for this type of permit, but I have seen people be turned away once or twice for not having certified translations of their foreign language certificates (e.g. birth or marriage certificates) in some cases. If you want to be watertight, take them along, and if you’re not asked for them, keep them on hand – you’ll probably need them again in the future for something else.
If your ducks are in a row and you’re not asked to come back with more documents, you should get a shiny new sticker in your baby’s passport on the spot.
Hi thanks for this. Does the baby’s birth certificate need to be translated into German/English. If so does it need to be an official translation or can it be translated by my wife? My child was born in Japan and has a Japanese birth certificate. I am half German/English.
Michael S
If the birth certificate also has English text on it, you could take your chances without a translation – some people have been able to get away with submitting English documents without a translation. But in your case, if it is only Japanese text, I would definitely get a Japanese – German certified translation.
Hi, thanks for the handy guide. Is the process similar for EU Blue Card holders?
Hi, Thanks for the information. I need an info please, what in case the baby is born during EU Blue card phase? Can the baby get the German Citizenship by default? Regards
Your blue card status doesn’t give you any extra perks as far as a child gaining German citizenship is concerned. HOWEVER, you can be eligible for permanent residency earlier than other permit holders if you have a blue card. But you still wouldn’t have been in Germany for 8 years (I’m assuming neither parent is a German citizen).
Please I need to fine out the right of a baby born in Germany mother from italy father unknownt
Hi Grace – if you were in Germany for at least 8 years when your baby was born, then your baby could be eligible for German citizenship. Otherwise, your baby will probably get Italian citizenship from you – but I’m not familiar with the prerequisites for Italian citizenship. In any case, you might want to talk to an immigration lawyer to be sure. In any case, I hope you are doing well and congratulations. Kathleen
Hello ,do a new born baby need a visa to travel to german ..anybody who has idea help me with .
The father is german but the baby is born in kenya.
Thanks in advance
If your baby is not already a German citizen with a passport, then yes, the baby needs a visa to travel to Germany.
I need some help please.
Baby is 10 months old and father is German citizen, mother is filipina. They want to visit Germany but the German embassy in the Philippines refused to issue a visa in the baby’s filipino passport. Are they still allowed to travel if only the mother gets her Schengen visa?
Practically the baby is a German by birth because of his father.
Hi Mars, if the authorities are refusing to issue a visa for Germany in the baby’s passport, then the baby is, for some reason, not allowed to travel to Germany. If the mother gets a Schengen Visa for Germany, the mother can go to Germany, of course. That’s really rough! I hope it gets sorted out.
Good info thanks. I’d like to ask, if a baby was born in germany to a foreign student and the students visa is still valid for the next 2 years, when applying for the child’s visa does one need to additional show financial proof for the child or the mothers verpflichtungserklärung is enough? (single parent no shared custody)
That’s decided on a case-by-case basis, Maria. The Verpflichtungserklärung might be enough on its own, or they might want to see more documents if it’s not quite enough to cover the household expenses. Good luck with the application!
Hi, we are both foreigners in Hamburg on Residency permits (one of us have a Blue Card). Our baby was born in January in Hamburg and we are still waiting for the South African birth certificate and passport which could take another 6 months… Currently we cannot travel anywhere in Europe as our child only has a German birth certificates Is there any option to get a German form of photo ID for our child on which we could travel within Europe (air travel)?
I don’t know of one, and I also know that children must have passports when they travel outside of their country of residence. I wouldn’t risk it with anything except a passport. How tricky for you.
Hi Cullen
I am currently facing this situation myself, the South African embassy has said it will take 3 months to get an appointment then another 6 for passport to arrive. Did you find a way around this last year?
Hi Cullen
Did you eventually get any form of ID for your baby? With current pandemic we face more waiting time for the passport for our baby to be processed in South Africa. We appreciate your feedback.
Hello
Please I want to know how possible it it for me to get a resident permit through my kids has they both have three-year each and their mother too but we are not legally married but we leave together and I work too
What are my chances as I am a Nigerian
Thanks
Not great, Prince, based on the information you’ve given. But I can’t really help you, so you should consult an immigration lawyer to know for sure.
It depend on the kind of residence permit your wife is holding and the reason of her residence permit
I have a child of a Hungarian citizenship. His father is of New Zealand and Hungarian citizenship but based in Germany married to a German lady. The fatrher despite the court decision ( access right only on the terrotory of Hungary) 2 days ago illigally took our son to Germany and the child has no official documents, as they are with me (i am the legal full guardian of the child) Can the father request new document of our son without me knowing on his wife as a step mum, and also besed on the fact that his wife is german and they are married and are a family? . The Hungarian police is in search for the child! thank you
Dear Raisza,
I am so sorry to hear about this terrifying situation. As a mother of two, it just makes my blood go cold. In Germany, it would not be possible for the father to request new documentation for your son, because they’d require the legal guardian to give consent, and they’d require proof of guardianship, which he would not be able to give. I, unfortunately, have no idea what they do in Hungary. I can only hope the same rules would apply. I hope that your son gets home to you safely. -Kathleen
My partner is a German and we are expecting our first child early next year. We are unmarried and I do not have residencey in Germany – as I still live in England, but she lives here. Will I be able to move to Germany as our child will be born here and live here ? . Will I need to get a permit of Resisdency for coming here and how long will it be valid (3 years?) and will it include the right to work ?.
As we wish to bring up the child together (and will be a normal family) will there be an issue for me to live here ? and will there be benefits availiable to equally to both of us ? With regard paternity and taxation.
Any advice or driection gratefully received.
There are many, many facets to this. I think you’d benefit from a coaching, so book online if that interests you! Cheers, Kathleen
Hey Kathleen,
My baby is half Kenyan and half German.I already acquired a German passport for her (the baby). We wanted to visit Germany for two months sometime later this year. Which would be the easiest visa to get in this case ? Does the baby need a visa ? If not, can I apply on grounds of accompanying her as guardian as she is a few months old
If your baby has a German passport, she won’t need a visa. But you will. You’ll have to ask the German consulate/embassy in your country of residence to be sure, but if you are only visiting for two months, I imagine the Schengen/Tourist Visa would be the easiest option.
Hallo Kathleen,
I am Kenyan and I came to Germany in 2017 to visit my children who are now 20 and 16 year old. They live with their father who is German. I delivered another child in May 2019 with the same man. I had registered as a refugee and gave birth at the camp. He took me from the camp and we got the baby a Birth-Certificate and we have joint custody. I now live in his house with my other two children. I have not been able to apply for my residence because the BAMF have my passport and I do not know the penalties of leaving the camp unofficially. I have no residence permit and I am not sure if I am still registered at the camp residence. My baby is also not registered at the fathers house. Please advise . Thank you.
Hi Rachel, I’m so sorry but I can’t advise you here, except to talk to a lawyer or even better, talk to the ladies at Welcome, Mamas e.V.i.G or Julia at Julia Cares. I wish you the very best of luck and congratulations on the birth of your baby. –Kathleen
Hi Kathleen, I am an assylum seeker and had a son with a German lady in which i got the necessary papers like Sorgerecht,Vaterschaftannerkennung,GeburtUrkunde, DNA Test Result, Declaration from the mother as the father but we don’t live together and also i work and pay Unterhalt (Child Support) i recently applied for a resident permit in which i was asked some question because we don’t live together and later allowed to Thumbprint, gave them a passport photograph and paid 100EUR…. Is it likely for me to be granted a resident permit?
Hi Fawaz,
Unfortunately, I don’t know whether you’ll get granted a residence permit or not, but paying 100EUR and having your thumbprint taken does sound promising. I hope it works out! -Kathleen
You are entitled to a residence permit, as far as the child is a German citizen by birth. As the father you are entitled to residence permit
Hi , me and my husband holding Indian passport , I am living with my husband on dependent visa in Germany and he holds a permanent residence . We have a new born , he is 3months old . Applying for German visa for him, approaching burgeramt is good ? Or auslanderbehorde ?
Congratulations, Prashu! If your husband is a permanent resident of Germany and was when your baby was born, and you are all registered as living in the same household in Germany, your baby could actually be eligible for German citizenship. If he is, you will automatically get a letter. Otherwise, if you are based in Berlin and both your permits were issued by the Berlin Ausländerbehörde, you could go to the Bürgeramt. But you mentioned having a visa, so it might have been issued by the embassy in India, in which case, go to the Ausländerbehörde. But check first to see if your baby is a German citizen.
Hello,
I´m living in Germany from last 6 years and i have applied for my permanent residence which requires 4 months to come. (June)
Im now pregnant and i have delivery this month. (February)
I want to know what will my baby get if i get permanent residence in 4 months?
If your baby is born in Germany and you are eligible for permanent residency at the birth, I think she/he will get citizenship even if yours hasn’T been processed yet. Did you get a letter yet? Congrats on the birth!
Hello ..
my baby was born in Germany and we managed to get a new passport for her from our embassy. How long does it take in processing to issue a residency permit for the baby since we both – parents- already have our own long term ones?
You might be able to go to the Bürgeramt for this, if both you and the father’s permits were issued in Berlin. In any case, you can usually get the permit on the spot as soon as you visit the office. I take it this has resolved itself.
Hi, I want to make inquiry I have resident permit and i gave birth last year June till now my babies resident permit is not yet out. What should I do please?
I’d normally say, go to your local foreigner’s office, but not right now. Send them an email following up on the process. It will get answered eventually.
I have problem with the father of my child,and over since then you don’t contactt each other as often,he refuse to acknowledge the paternity of my child and we went to the beistandchaft jugedamt,we went to court and the court decided he is the father. The court later sent me a vaterschaftannekennung I took this to the ausländerbehorde and they said the Vater have Fiktionbeshenigig that he can’t give the child a stay in Germany and he has be in Germany for 18 years now I want to know if they is any reason for that and if my child can get a residence too
Hi Annabella. Sounds like you need to talk to an immigration lawyer. Have a look at our directory. I hope you manage to figure it out!
Hello,
I am a Nigerian student with resident permit in Bremen. My visited with shengen visa and had a baby. Will my baby have a resident permit or German passport.
You left an important word out of your question: who came to visit? If it was your spouse, have a look here: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/327471/en/
I’m aware that this is the Berlin site and you are in Bremen, but the Berlin site has better info than many of the other cities.
If it was your partner but you are not married, you’d have to acknowledge paternity first. Good luck! Kathleen
Hello Kathleen. I am expecting a baby in september 2020. Both I and the father are of Albanian citizenship, but the father is married an holds an rezidence permit in Germany where he works. I want to give birth in germany, can I and my baby have rezidence permits? And what procedure should i follow? Thank you and best regards.
Hi Teuta,
If the father is married to you, then yes. If the father is married to someone else, you will have to get him to officially recognize paternity by giving a declaration at the Standesamt or Jugendamt. That would be step one. I’d recommend talking to an immigration lawyer to find out more.
Kind regards and congratulations on the pregnancy!
Kathleen
Hi i will apply for the residence permit of my new born child. Both parents have residence permit. Just received the birth cert from the standesamt. What is this joint custody thing? Thanks
Congratulations on the birth of your baby! Hope you’re all healthy and well. If baby’s mum and dad aren’t married, then mum has sole custody in Germany. Dad doesn’t have any say in baby’s life at all but also won’t be forced by law to make any commitments. If you want to change that, go to the Jugendamt and do a joint custody declaration. That way, dad gets rights but also responsibilities.
but we are married and living together in an apartment. Do i need still to present this custody thing?thank you.
Hi… My wife is expecting a child and she is a German citizen. We are married since 7 months now. We got married in Pakistan as I am a Pakistani citizen. She ia living with me in Pakistan. My question is what is the best possible to get a visa so we both can go and deliever a baby in Germany? Or If the baby is born in Pakistan, can I get the visa on the basis of that? If the baby is born In Germany, Will I get the visa on that basis? I am really stuck here and trying to find a solution to sort things out. Due to this corona pandemic the Embassy in Pakistan has stopped issuing the schengen visa, the only way to apply is through the family reunion which is starting from 1st August( this is what the consulate has told to my wife). Suggest me with your knowledge. Please I really require your assistance and your expertise. Thank you.
Hi Syed, I can’t help much, so I’d go with what the consulate tells you. If your wife can get to Germany and register there and give birth there as a German citizen, then fantastic. You can join her whenever you possibly can as her spouse, depending on the waiting times in Pakistan for a family reunion visa. If your baby was born in Germany and mum’s a German, yes, your baby would get German citizenship. If your baby is born in Pakistan, you’d all have to live in Germany for a while before your baby becomes a German citizen, though a family reunion permit would be possible for both you and the baby if you meet the criteria and if your wife lives in Germany. But the problem is getting YOU to Germany in time for a birth. I don’t know what your timeline is, but it might be tricky if the baby is coming soon, given the current conditions. I wish you all the best with the birth of your child!
I am a Nigerian student (Hamburg) . I gave birth in France, with a father who has stateless status in France. Now we have fallen out. Should I seek resident permit for my daughter? What should I do? Thanks for your response.
That’s a little complex for me, Egodi. It depends on your daughter having a nationality already and on the custody arrangement. It might be possible to get a residence permit for your daughter in Germany, if: your daughter has a nationality already, you have sole custody of her, she is registered in Germany at your address, you are completing a degree or a vocational training programme in Germany and you can prove that you can support her financially. Proving custody could be difficult though. You might need some legal help for this one! Good luck to you and congratulations on the birth of your baby girl.
A friend of mine have 3years aufenthaltstitel with Nigerian passport. And she give birth to baby ,is it possible for the baby to have aufenthaltstitel too.the father don’t have but they did joint custody
If she has custody and she’s in Germany legally with a residence permit, she can apply for a permit for the baby. This is the general one for children of foreign citizens with a residence permit, but your friend might have a blue card or a different type of permit, which means it might be a different permit. In any case, yes, it’s possible.
Hello! My partner and I are both non-EU passport holders (Peru & USA) here in Berlin with working visas (one Blue Card). We had our baby in Berlin 3 months ago and successfully got her American passport. We are now looking to travel within EU (Greece) and wondering if with her passport is sufficient to travel within EU or if we also need her visa. I have an appointment to get her visa at the end of this month, but not before we travel. Thanks for your advice!
I wouldn’t travel outside of Germany with her before you get her residence permit. It’s quite possible that no-one will check your passports at all at the border. But especially because regulations change quickly during a pandemic, it might be difficult to get her back into Germany if you have no proof of her residency here before you go.
Hello am Nigerian and pregnant with the child of a german citizen, iam planning to visit him so he would be present during the childbirth, after delivery can I apply for a temporary residence permit since my child will also be a german citizen or what advice can you give on this issue?
Hi Lucy, you would need to get the father to sign a paternity declaration while you are visiting him in Germany. But I can’t really help or offer any specific advice on how to get a residence permit beyond that. Good luck!
I forgot to write that we are married here in Nigeria, and also want to register the marriage in germany.
Ahh, that’s different. If you are married to a German citizen, it will be easier for you to get a residence permit. Have a look at the requirements (https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/328191/standort/121885/en/, but would apply in other states as well). Plus, as long as your marriage is recognised, you won’t need a paternity declaration.
Hello Kathleen,
I hope you are safe and healthy.
Me and my wife have indian passport ( wife has blue card and i have ICT work permit) and currently we are pregnant and expected delivery date is 20 oct,2020.
However, our project (work contract) is soon going to end in Germany and we will move back to India, most probably in Dec,2020.
Considering baby’s birth date as 20oct,2020 and getting indian passport takes 5-6 weeks. For the time till Dec,2020…Do i have to get visa done for my new born ? (As visa arrival will take time)
Thanks,
Pratik
Congratulations on the pending birth of your baby! It’s probably not necessary if you’re leaving the country and your baby has an Indian passport by the time you go. But I can’t say for sure. What I do know, is that if you and your wife’s work permits were both issued by the Berlin office, then you can get this done on the spot with a simple Bürgeramt appointment once your baby is born and registered together with both of you at your address. Have a look here. It might not be necessary, but if you want peace of mind AND you can tick the boxes I mentioned above, at least you know it’s easy and fast to get sorted.
Hello Kathleen,
I hope you are safe and healthy
My friend have a child with his Zimbabwe girlfriend who have 3year resident permit in Germany while doing Ausbildung but not yet done with his Ausbildung.but the father didn’t have resident permit is possible for baby to have resident permit
If the baby’s mother is residing legally in Germany, the baby should be able to get a residence permit, yes. That’s because the mother will have sole custody of the child. If your friend acknowledges paternity and does a joint custody declaration at the Jugendamt, it might also be possible for him to get a residence permit once the baby has one.
Acknowledging paternity would be a start – you can do that by visiting the Standesamt, the Jugendamt or a notary. Have a look here Though it mentions Berlin, the procedure is the same elsewhere in Germany.
Hello,
I had a baby with a German citizen but the Standesamt has refused to issue the Geburtsurkunde but has issued the provisional Geburtsurkunde since last two years.
Pls my question is, can I take the provisional birth certificate to the auslanderbehorde to request for a resident permit since they asked me to bring my daughters birth certificate.
Many thanks.
Oh wow, that’s rough. It’s certainly worth a try. Send the foreigner’s office an email, attach the certificate as a file and ask if they will accept it in lieu of a proper birth certificate.
Hi Kathleen,
Me and my husband has been living in Germany (First two years another city, last year in Berlin) almost three years now. We are foreigners (Turkish passport) I have a Blue card, husband got a working permit. I already applied for my permanent residency but i dont know if it will come before the birth or not. Oh yes, i am pregnant and expecting during August. I believe in this circumstances if i give birth in Germany my child wont be a German citizen, but i can get a residency for him easily, since everything is legal with our situation. But my question is different:
See, my concern is, right now we need to stay at least 8 more years for my child to become a German citizen. But we are not sure we will stay that long in Germany. And i want to secure a good passport for my child, so he doesnt have to apply visas every time he want to visit places etc. I have a USA tourist visa, i am thinking about giving birth in USA. My question is: how will this work? Can i bring my child to Germany with an American passport after the birth? Can i still get a residency for ma child even though he born in USA? This is a bit complicates issue i guess, thanks in advance for your help.
As long as you and your husband have valid residence permits for a legal stay in Germany, then it won’t matter where your child is born, you can still bring your child to Germany on its American passport (once issued) and then apply for a residence permit for your child from within Germany. THe only thing to be aware of is that if you leave Germany for more than 6/12 months, your current permits will become invalid…your Blue Card gives you 12 months to be out of the country before losing its validity, but your husband’s permit might only allow him 6 months outside of Germany. So don’t stay away too long! Also, if you lose the jobs (e.g. you leave the country and give up your jobs in the process), it could mean you lose the permits. Another thing to consider is whether you’ll be allowed to fly while heavily pregnant. But yes, Americans can enter without any sort of entry visa and can apply for residence once they’re here 8within the first 90 days). So if you keep your jobs, keep your registration in Berlin and keep your health insurance active even though you’re overseas for a bit, that could work!
Hi Kathleen,
My husband and I are in the process of having our resident permits transferred to our newborn’s passport. You’ve mentioned that one of the requirements is that our child would also need to be registered in the same apartment as us. Does this mean we need to do a separate “Anmeldung einer Wohnung” appointment for our baby? Or is this automatic when you register the birth in the city (something we’ve done already). I ask because a Meldebestätigung is not part of the documents required at the interview.
Background: We’re both from New Zealand and hold resident permits. We basically have all documents except a Meldebestätigung with our child’s name on it.
Thanks in advance!
No, your baby doesn’t need its own appointment. It happens automatically. They’ll see it in the system.
Hey Kathleen,
I hope you’re well!?
I am currently doing my Ausbildung in Germany and I earn 1000€ per month. My husband stays in UK and earns 1500€ per month. We are legally/officially married. We both have agreed that the baby will be staying with me here in Germany.
Can I apply for a residence permit for my baby here in Germany? Will I lose my residence permit? I am very scared! Please help. Thank you in advance.
You can try to apply for this one: Residence permit for spouses and children of trainees
Dear Kathleen,
Good morning. Hope you are doing well.
Me and my wife have valid residence permit and Fiktionsbescheinigung as we had applied recently for permanent residence, it is under processing, meanwhile we travelled to India with the Indian Passport, we have our 6months old child KVR and Birth certificate and other formalities done. Going to India was not a problem, would there be any problem in traveling back to Germany? his Residence permit is in process and should arrive in few weeks, we would like to know if we can travel to Germany without Visa ? both me and my wife have valid residence permits and Blue cards. When asked while leaving Germany Munich immigration they mentioned Birth certificate and KVR should be fine. Any help on this would be great.
Regards
Harivardhan Mani
If you all have a residence permit that will be valid when you enter Germany, or a Fiktionsbescheinigung nach §81.4 (!) that will be valid on your return, then you will have no issues returning to Germany. But I am not sure whether you will encounter problems trying to return with your son if he does not have a visa or residence permit for Germany and is an Indian citizen. When you say your son’s residence permit “should arrive in a few weeks”… arrive where? To your residence in Germany? I am tempted to believe the person you spoke to at Munich immigration who said “it should be fine” but I don’t know for sure if you won’t actually hold the residence permit in your hand. Sure, border control will certainly be able to check your son’s immigration status when you arrive in Germany. I’d be a bit more worried about someone in India not letting you board the plane in the first place if you don’t actually have the travel document for your son.
Hi my hubby and I are thinking of coming to German. If have a baby within my visitation period, will my child have citizenship by birth?
Not if neither you nor the father are already a German citizen when your child is born.
I found this thread really useful. During the appointment at Bürgeramt for the the residence permit of the newborn, is it mandatory that child should be present? or one parent is enough during the appointment. Me and my wife both holds Blue Card and the child is also registered with the same address as ours. Thanks!
Hi Anoop – that’s a pretty good question. I would take the child if you can. I know that at the foreigner’s office, you don’t have to take the child if they are under six… but if doing it at the Bürgeramt, I am actually not so sure. I imagine it’s probably the same.