Vaterschaftsanerkennungurkunde for Elterngeld form - Germany

Hello Everyone,

We were recently blessed with a baby and now I am trying to fill out the Elterngeld forms and this is more difficult than I thought it would be. My wife was working before and she will be applying for Elternzeit and Elterngeld. For Elterngeld, there is one requirement - Vaterschaftsanerkennungurkunde which translates roughly to "Proof of paternity".

Does anyone have any experiences with this certificate? From where would I get this? Is it something that my wife can simply sign or is there a special office that I need to go to.

Any information / help is appreciated.

Thanks!
V

Get in touch with your local Jugendamt ...

Is your name not on the birth certificate of the baby?

This is usually only required if you weren´t married to the mother at the time of conception. Otherwise you are automatically assumed to be the father and the normal birth certificate should be sufficient.

You don't need it if your name's on the birth certificate or if you were married to the mother at the time of birth.

Married at the time of birth, surely?

Hi all,

Thanks for the quick reply!! That was not expected.

Yes, I was married to her at the time of the birth and my name is on the birth certificate.

So this means I do not need a separate document.

Thanks again.

I know you have the answer now but unless I have this the wrong way round the "Vaterschaftsanerkennungurkunde" translates more properly into "Acknowledgement of Paternity" and is something you have to sign to say that you recognise the child as yours.

Any legal beagles out there?

Vaterschaftsanerkennung

Yes, at birth. There used to be a regulation that the father was assumed to be the man who had been married to the mother at the time of birth or up to 300 days prior to the time of birth, but the last alternative seems to have been cancelled some time ago.

Hi westvan,

My German is not that good to understand the Wikipedia article that you just sent out. Could you or someone explain what it means? Does it say that I need a separate document other than the birth certificate?

Thanks,
V

No, I don't think you need a separate document if you and your wife were married at the time of the birth and if you are listed on the child's birth certificate. The Vaterschaftsanerkennungs thing seems to only be necessary when a child is born out of wedlock or there is some question regarding paternity.

I would send off a quick e mail to whoever you're supposed to send the forms to and ask what's what.

It is only required for parents who aren't married. I guess you used the information sheet of the administration in Hamburg that omits this information.

the important phrase is in the first sentence "außerehelich geboren" (not married at the time of birth) ... so it doesn't apply to you.