Since 01 November 2018, it has been possible to change the order of first names (first name sorting), which is usually determined by the parents when a birth is registered. However, with this application, it is still not possible to change the spelling of first names, add further first names or omit individual first names.

To change the order, a declaration by the bearer of the name is required, which must be submitted to the competent civil registry.

The civil registry that keeps the birth register for the person whose first names are to be rearranged is responsible for processing the declaration. If the birth is not registered in a German birth register, the civil registry that keeps the marriage register or civil partnership register for the person is responsible. If no marriage or civil partnership register exist for the person, the civil registry in whose jurisdiction the person has or last had their place of residence or habitual abode is responsible. If the person is not registered in any German register and they have never lived in Germany, the Civil Registry I in Berlin (Standesamt I in Berlin) is responsible.

Necessary documents (as originals)

• Completed application form (please fill in legibly with a computer or block letters and do not sign the form yet!)
• Valid passports (or German identity card/“Personalausweis”)
• Proof of visa status in Australia (if you are not also an Australian citizen) by VEVO (not older than two weeks at the time of application)
• Birth certificate
• German marriage certificate, if applicable
• Proof of residence in Australia (e.g. Australian driver's licence)
• German deregistration certificate (“Abmeldebescheinigung”) from your last German place of residence or current registration certificate (“Meldebescheinigung”) from your most recent address in Germany
• Generally translations of foreign documents (usually not required for English or “international” documents, e.g. international birth certificates)

Please understand that it may be necessary to submit further documents in the course of the procedure, depending on the case constellation and the competent German civil registry (Standesamt). It is therefore recommended that you contact the responsible civil registry in Germany in advance.

Fees

Your signatures on the application form and the copies of your documents must be certified for the civil registry. These certifications can only be carried out by a German mission abroad (including Honorary Consuls).

The fee for the certification of your signature at the German mission abroad is 60.00 EUR. The fee for the certification of copies (including the making of copies) depends on the individual case. As a rule, if possible, a collective certification is made, which amounts to between 30.00 EUR (Embassy Canberra) and 32.00 EUR (Consulate General Sydney and all Honorary Consuls).

Please note our general information about fees and methods of payment.

Processing times

The processing times for birth registrations vary between civil registries and cannot be estimated by the German missions abroad.

In many cases, the processing time is around three to six months, in some cases even significantly longer. The German missions abroad have no influence on the processing times and cannot predict the duration of the procedure.