The name of a German national is governed by German law. If a child of German parents is born abroad, the child's last name is not automatically evident according to German law, even if the foreign (e.g. Australian) birth certificate already contains a surname of the child. In certain situations, a child might not automatically have a last name in German law. In these cases, the parents have to submit a name declaration.

1. The parents were married when the child was born

A child whose parents were married at the time of the child’s birth and who bear a married name (Ehename) will obtain the parents’ married name as birth name. No name declaration is needed. If the parents got married outside of Germany and made a name declaration abroad please email us in advance to check if this married name might be recognised.

In cases where the parents were married, but do/did not have a married name,the child did not automatically acquire a birth name - even if the child has already been registered abroad under a certain name.

If the child is now 18 years or older, he/she can choose the mother's name or the father's name as his/her birth name. The child's name can, however, only be governed by German law. This means that a double name (e.g. father's last name and mother's last name) is not possible.

2. The parents are not married when the child is born

A child whose parents were not married at the time of the child’s birth will have the mother’s surname as birth name. A name change under the Civil Code (BGB) is not possible.

It is highly recommended to lodge the name declaration as part of an application for a German birth certificate.

You have to lodge the application in person as we need to certify your signature on the name declaration form. Your parents are not required to attend, but you have to bring their documents mentioned below.

The following documents are required (original documents):

• Completed name declaration form (please fill in legibly with a computer or block letters and do not sign the declaration yet)
• Valid passports for both parents (or German identity card/Personalausweis)
• Your German and/or other passport
• Birth certificates of both parents
• Your birth certificate
• If your parents were married at the time of your birth: Their marriage certificate (official document issued e.g. by Births, Deaths and Marriages, not Celebrant's certificate)
• if your parents are/ were divorced at the time of your birth: Divorce Order
• Naturalisation certificate and “Beibehaltungsgenehmigung” for naturalised German nationals or “Staatsangehörigkeitsausweis” if you or your parent/s have one
• proof of residence in Australia (e.g. 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
• Translations of foreign documents (usually not required for English or “international” documents, for example international birth certificates)
• Birth certificates of all other children of the parents including older siblings
• Name certificates of other children of the parents if applicable

Depending on the case more documents can become necessary or may subsequently be requested by the relevant registry office (Standesamt) in Germany.

It is recommended to contact the competent registrar beforehand in order to find out more about the local requirements.

Fees

Two different fees incur;

1) Fees to be paid at your appointment at the German mission in Australia for

• certifying your signature on the application form: 79,57 EUR
• making and certifying the copies to be sent to the Registry Office in Germany: on a case-by-case basis, if possible all documents will be certified together which will incur costs of 24,83 EUR (Embassy Canberra) / 26,21 EUR (Consulate General Sydney and Honorary Consuls).

Please read our general information about fees and methods of payment

2) Fees charged by the Registry Office in Germany for processing your application (usually between 20 and 45 EUR) and issueing a name certificate (usually between 10 and 15 EUR). These fees are to be paid directly to the Registry Office per bank Transfer, they cannot be paid to the Consulates in Australia. Once your application is processed in Germany, you will receive an email with payment details.