Declarations under the law of names - determining the family name for a newborn child

• Elterliche Sorge (parental custody) Both parents have joint custody. Where custody is joint, a joint decision is required. • No Ehename (married surname) / parents with different surnames If the parents do not have a joint married surname, they must actively determine the child's family name. • The father's name, or • The mother's name, or • A combined name made up of both surnames - with or without a hyphen • Deadline: the choice of name must be made within one month of the child's birth. • Binding effect: the chosen name automatically also applies to any further children the parents have together. • Documents in German • If the required documents/certificates are not available in German, they must be translated by an interpreter sworn in in Germany (see "Further information"). • For some countries, further authentication (Apostille or Legalisation) is also required. The Apostille (issued by the competent authority in the home country) or the Legalisation (issued by the German embassy) must be affixed directly to the original document 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 names, family names, and birth names) must strictly follow the transliteration standards (ISO 9-1995 / ISO 843 / DIN 31634 / ELOT 734, etc.). • Original documents All required documents/certificates must in principle be submitted to the responsible Standesamt (registry office) in original form. Certificates must not be altered and/or perforated/laminated. • Language requirements / directory of approved sworn translators and interpreters www.justiz-dolmetscher.de/Recherche/ If sufficient knowledge of German is not present, a sworn interpreter is required. • Note: consultation on legal options and requirements is recommended

• Declaration of the surname for a newborn child You can submit the declaration in person. • valid and signed passport or Personalausweis (identity card) of the parents • birth certificates of the parents • marriage certificate of the parents or acknowledgement of paternity with declaration of joint custody • additional documents, if applicable This list is not exhaustive. Additional 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 surname to be used.

• none: first certification • 25.00 euros: subsequent declaration of name • 30.00 euros: affidavit (Eidesstattliche Versicherung), if applicable

• Personenstandsgesetz (PStG, Civil Status Act) § 45 - Declarations concerning the child's surname www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstg/__45.html • Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB, Civil Code) § 1616 - Birth name where the parents have a married name www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/__1616.html • Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) § 1617 - Birth name where the parents have no married name and joint custody www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/__1617.html • Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) § 1617a - Birth name where the parents have no married name and one parent has sole custody www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/__1617a.html • Einführungsgesetz zum Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuch (EGBGB, Introductory Act to the Civil Code) Art. 10 para. 1 - Name www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgbeg/BJNR006049896.html • Verordnung zur Ausführung des Personenstandsgesetzes im Land Berlin (PStGAV Bln, Ordinance Implementing the Civil Status Act in the State of Berlin) § 9 - Setting of fees <https://gesetze.berlin.de/jportal/?quelle=jlink&query=PStGAV+BE+%C2%A7+9&psml=bsbeprod.psml&max=true>

• Directory of certified sworn translators and interpreters (Justizportal [Judicial Portal]) www.justiz-dolmetscher.de/Recherche/ • Foreign public documents for use in Germany (Auswärtiges Amt [Federal Foreign Office]) www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/urkunden/2007718#content_1

Standesamt (registry office) of the child's place of birth