International Birth Certificate
Do you need an international birth certificate or are you not even sure what one is? We will provide you with all the important information concerning the international birth certificate, when you might need one and how to apply for it.
What is an international birth certificate?
An international birth certificate is an official document that, unlike the national birth certificate, is issued in several languages. It is drawn up according to a standardised template and contains standardised fields that can be understood in every country.
The international birth certificate is usually written in the following languages: German,
French, English, Italian and Spanish. But it might also contain other language combinations, especially if the country in which it is issued has another official language.
Where is the international birth certificate valid?
Unlike a national birth certificate, the international birth certificate is internationally recognised in the countries that have signed the Vienna ICCS Convention of 1976. These countries are: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Lithuania and Moldova.
It is also sometimes recognised in other countries, with an apostille or legalisation required additionally.
When is an international birth certificate required?
You will need an international birth certificate for international administrative procedures, such as getting married abroad, adoption procedures, visa applications, immigration procedures or studying in another country.
In many cases, however, especially for most visas, a certified translation of the birth certificate is sufficient.
Applying for an international birth certificate
You can have an international birth certificate issued at the registry office that certified the birth. Depending on the registry office, you can submit an application online, by post or in person. For your application, you will have to identify yourself with an identity card or passport.
International birth certificates usually take one to two weeks to be issued and cost around 12 euros.
FAQs: International birth certificate
Some authorities only accept the international birth certificate if it is not older than six months, as data about the parents could change, such as the name or a subsequent acknowledgment of paternity.
The international birth certificate is valid in all countries that have signed the Vienna ICCS Convention of 1976. This includes Germany.
You can only apply for a birth certificate at the registry office that certified the birth. If you were born in Munich, you can apply for your birth certificate in the online portal of the City of Munich.
The international birth certificate costs around 12 euros.
Author
Katharina Weckend, Content & SEO Manager
Katharina joined lingoking as a Content and SEO Manager in 2024. She handles our content and SEO strategy and writes texts for our website, guide and other lingoking media. “I am happy I get to pass on knowledge in our lingoking guide and help break down language barriers.”
Translation
Dr. Tracey Kimmeskamp
A native of Northern Ireland, Tracey has lived in Germany’s Ruhrgebiet for over 20 years. She has been working with lingoking as a translator since 2016, all the while diligently training for her dream career in mochi quality control.
