Registering a baby born abroad (outside Germany)

Hello Everybody!

I was wondering if anybody knew the regulations in regards of babies born abroad. My husband and I live and work in Germany since 2005 and we are currently expecting our first child. However, I will be giving birth in UK. I am planning to return to Germany for the duration of my Elternzeit (partially or entirely) and then go back to work in 2 years or so. Since I was employed over the last 4 years I will of course apply for Elterngeld, etc.

However, as far as I understand, to apply for Elterngeld the child has to be first registered in Germany? If one would give birth in the country that seems fairly easy - get the documents from the hospital, fill in this and that, submit here and there. But what if the baby is born in UK? How does the whole registration and Eltern- Kinder- geld application happen? Any ideas?

Many thanks!

Did you endeavor to get any answers from your municipal yet? When you're reg'ed in Germany your local Standesamt can help.

As far as obtaining a certificate of birth abroad, it is done through the local consulate to your native country. Example: When I give birth here, I must register through the US embassy.

Thanks for the replies! What I meant when I said 'registering' was the registering of the birth with the German authorities, I believe I need to do this first and get some document which then I should submit for Elterngeld... Not really sure if the international birth certificate doesn't somehow replace that need for registration. I still haven't contacted the Standesamt, but will do and try to find out. Again, thanks for the feedback!

Hello all!

I thought I'd come share what I found out. One does not need to go through a baby registration process if normally residing in Germany but having the baby abroad. The whole registration procedure is only meant so one can get an official birth certificate. Since when giving birth aboard one would get such a certificate from the country where the baby is born this procedure in Germany needs not be followed.

I don't know how much time you are planning on being in Germany and not, but Elterngeld from my understanding is only available when the child lives full time in Germany. If you are traveling back and forth, then that is ok, but if you will actually be living in Uk, then you are no longer eligible for Elterngeld (I think).

My first child was born outside of Germany and at that time not eligible for Elterngeld, once she came here we registered her at the standasamt and were eligible at that time.

Thanks for the reply. I will be having an address here, etc and will be travelling back and forth (noth very often)... for a year, then we are coming back to Germany full time. In any case Elterngeld is only given for 1 year after birth (the 67% of the salary). I am not sure if you aren't thinking of Kindergeld? Anyway, how did the registration at the Standsamt happen? Fill in and submit a form?

yes you are right. I always get those 2 confused. It was actually pretty simple (well if I had done it right to begin with long story I'll save you the "extra details" on what I did wrong). I went to the standasamt and showed the birth certif and passport. I think I had to show some proof of residency (on my passport it has my residency permit, so that worked, but Idk how it is for UK people). It was all done in hardly anytime.

Generally if you have baby in tow, you are allowed to cut in line to speed up your process too.

I am not sure how it is in Frankfurt, but here there are 2 registration places in the city and one does certain list of things while the other place does the other list of things, that is where I made me mistake, went to the wrong place.

Thanks! This info was all very helpful!