Declarations under naming law - declare a new determination of a child's birth name

• Subsequent joint custody of the parents, or • Contestation of paternity • Declarants / persons involved • Both parents with custody. • If the child is already 14 years old, their presence is required, because they must make their own declaration. The child's declaration requires the consent of the legal representative. • If the child has completed their fifth year of life, the determination of the surname is only valid if the child agrees to the determination. • Documents in German • If the required documents/certificates are not available in German, they must be translated by a translator sworn in Germany (see "Further information"). • For some countries, an additional authentication (Apostille or legalization) is also required. The Apostille (issued by the competent home authority in the home country) or the legalization (issued by the German embassy) must be affixed directly to the original or attached to it (more under "Further information"). • For certificates originally issued in Arabic, Greek, Hebrew or Cyrillic, the translation of personal names (such as first and last names, birth names) must strictly follow the transliteration standards (ISO 9-1995 / ISO 843 / DIN 31634 / ELOT 734 etc.). • Documents in original All required documents/certificates must, as a rule, be presented to the competent Standesamt (registry office) in original. Certificates may not be altered and/or perforated/laminated. • Sworn interpreter, if applicable If the declarants are not sufficiently proficient in the German language, a sworn interpreter must be brought in, arranged by the declarants. • Further documents, if applicable This list is not exhaustive. Further documents may be required. If one or both parents hold a nationality other than German, it is advisable to seek advice from the competent Standesamt (registry office) regarding the required documents and the determination of the family name.

• valid and signed identity cards (Personalausweise) or passports • child's birth certificate • parents' marriage certificate or acknowledgment of paternity together with a declaration of joint custody • if applicable, a legally binding court decision on the contestation of paternity • Note: legal advice on the available legal options and requirements is recommended.

• 25.00 euros: Namenserklärung (declaration of name) • 30.00 euros: Eidesstattliche Versicherung (affidavit), where applicable • 12.00 euros: Bescheinigung über die Namensführung (certificate of name usage)

• Personenstandsgesetz (PStG, Civil Status Act) § 45 - Declarations on the surname of the child www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstg/__45.html • Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB, Civil Code) § 1617b www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/__1617b.html • Personenstandsverordnung (PStV, Civil Status Ordinance) § 46 - Declarations under family law www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstv/__46.html • Verordnung zur Ausführung des Personenstandsgesetzes im Land Berlin (PStGAV Bln, Ordinance Implementing the Civil Status Act in the State of Berlin) § 9 - Fee assessment <https://gesetze.berlin.de/jportal/?quelle=jlink&query=PStGAV+BE+%C2%A7+9&psml=bsbeprod.psml&max=true> • Einführungsgesetz zum Bürgerlichen Buche (EGBGB, Introductory Act to the Civil Code) Art. 229 § 67 - Transitional provision to the Act Amending the Law on Married Names and Birth Names and the International Law of Names www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgbeg/art_229__67.html

• Directory of authorized sworn translators and interpreters (Dolmetscher- und Übersetzerdatenbank — interpreter and translator database) www.justiz-dolmetscher.de/Recherche/

• Standesamt (registry office) where the birth is registered: for recording/registration of the birth in Berlin • Standesamt of the place of residence: in all other cases • Standesamt I in Berlin: if birth and residence are abroad