Public documents

Germany

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Germany

Article 24(1)(a) - languages accepted by the Member State for the public documents to be presented to its authorities pursuant to point (a) of Article 6(1)

German

Article 24(1)(b) – an indicative list of public documents falling within the scope of this Regulation

Scope

Public document

Birth

  • Geburtsurkunde (birth certificate)
  • Beglaubigter Ausdruck aus dem Geburtenregister (certified extract from register of births)

Life

  • einfache Meldebescheinigung (short certificate of registration of residence)
  • erweiterte Meldebescheinigung (long certificate of registration of residence)

Death

  • Sterbeurkunde (death certificate)
  • Beglaubigter Ausdruck aus dem Sterberegister (certified extract from register of deaths)

Name

  • Geburtsurkunde (birth certificate)
  • Eheurkunde (marriage certificate)
  • Lebenspartnerschaftsurkunde (civil partnership certificate)

Marriage

Capacity to marry

Marital status

  • Eheurkunde (marriage certificate)
  • Beglaubigter Ausdruck aus dem Eheregister (certified extract from register of marriages)
  • Ehefähigkeitszeugnis (certificate of capacity to marry)
  • einfache Meldebescheinigung (short certificate of registration of residence)
  • erweiterte Meldebescheinigung (long certificate of registration of residence)

Divorce

Annulment of marriage

  • Eheurkunde (marriage certificate)
  • Beglaubigter Ausdruck aus dem Eheregister (certified extract from register of marriages)

Registered partnership

Capacity to enter into a registered partnership

  • Lebenspartnerschaftsurkunde (civil partnership certificate)
  • Beglaubigter Ausdruck aus dem Lebenspartnerschaftsregister (certified extract from register of civil partnerships)
  • Bescheinigung zur Begründung einer Lebenspartnerschaft (certificate of capacity to enter into a civil partnership)

Dissolution of a registered partnership

  • Lebenspartnerschaftsurkunde (civil partnership certificate)
  • Beglaubigter Ausdruck aus dem Lebenspartnerschaftsregister (certified extract from register of civil partnerships)

Parenthood

  • Beglaubigter Ausdruck aus dem Geburtenregister (certified extract from register of births)

Domicile

Residence

  • einfache Meldebescheinigung (short certificate of registration of residence)

Nationality

  • Einbürgerungsurkunde (certificate of naturalisation)
  • Urkunde über den Erwerb der deutschen Staatsangehörigkeit durch Erklärung (certificate of acquisition of German citizenship by declaration)
  • Entlassungsurkunde (certificate of release from citizenship)
  • Verzichtsurkunde (certificate of renunciation of citizenship)
  • Genehmigung zur Beibehaltung der deutschen Staatsangehörigkeit (authorisation to retain German citizenship)
  • Staatsangehörigkeitsausweis (certificate of citizenship)
  • Ausweis über die Rechtstellung als Deutscher (certificate of legal status as a German)

Adoption

  • Gerichtlicher Beschluss (court order)

Absence of a criminal record

  • Führungszeugnis (certificate of good character)

Article 24(1)(c) – the list of public documents to which multilingual standard forms may be attached as a suitable translation aid

Public document

Translation aid

Geburtsurkunde (birth certificate)

Annex I — Birth

einfache Meldebescheinigung (short certificate of registration of residence)

Annex II — Life

Sterbeurkunde (death certificate)

Annex III — Death

Eheurkunde (marriage certificate)

Annex IV — Marriage

Ehefähigkeitszeugnis (certificate of capacity to marry)

Annex V — Capacity to marry

erweiterte Meldebescheinigung (long certificate of registration of residence)

Annex VI — Marital status

Lebenspartnerschaftsurkunde (civil partnership certificate)

Annex VII — Registered partnership

Bescheinigung zur Begründung einer Lebenspartnerschaft (certificate of capacity to enter into a civil partnership)

Annex VIII — Capacity to enter into a registered partnership

erweiterte Meldebescheinigung (long certificate of registration of residence)

Annex IX — Registered partnership status

einfache Meldebescheinigung (short certificate of registration of residence)

Annex X — Domicile and/or residence

Absence of a criminal record

Annex XI — Absence of a criminal record

Article 24(1)(d) – the lists of persons qualified, in accordance with national law, to carry out certified translations, where such lists exist

There is a nationwide database of interpreters and translators, which is kept by the federal state of Hessen. It is freely available to anyone online at http://www.justiz-dolmetscher.de, and has a detailed search function (e.g. one can search by federal state, by court or by language). Only publicly appointed and sworn interpreters and translators are included in the database. The responsible authorities can also be found via this address.

Article 24(1)(e) – an indicative list of types of authorities empowered by national law to make certified copies

In Germany all authorities or bodies that issue public documents (e.g. civil status registry offices, residence registration authorities or law courts) and notaries are empowered to issue certified copies.

Article 24(1)(f) – information relating to the means by which certified translations and certified copies can be identified

A certified copy carries a statement confirming that it is a true copy of the original (e.g. a court document or notarial act), the seal or stamp of the issuing authority/office and the signature of the person certifying the copy (Section 42(1) Beurkundungsgesetz (Law on the official recording of documents)). Certified translations bear the stamp/seal and signature of the translator.

Article 24(1)(g) – information about the specific features of certified copies

A certified copy carries a statement confirming that it is a true copy of the original (e.g. a court document or notarial act), the seal or stamp of the issuing authority/office and the signature of the person certifying the copy (Section 42(1) Beurkundungsgesetz (Law on the official recording of documents)). Certified translations bear the stamp/seal and signature of the translator.

Last update: 30/06/2023

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