Birth certificates from archives in Germany that were issued over 110 years ago

Old official birth certificates from Germany are important documents for genealogy and family research as well as for a citizenship procedure.

Old official birth certificates from Germany are important documents for genealogy, family research, and citizenship procedures.

They contain information such as the child’s surname, first name, gender, date and place of birth, and parents’ names. The oldest birth certificates in Germany date back to 1874. The German Civil Status Act took effect on October 1, 1874.

This act created a uniform system of civil status registration for the entire German Reich. Before 1874, churches recorded births, marriages, and deaths. In some regions, such as on the left bank of the Rhine, there were already documents similar to birth certificates.

The availability of these records varied by region and time period. However, church records are often the only source for researching family history prior to 1874. If there are entries in church registers in archives, we can provide them, as well as certified civil status documents, if available.

Birth certificates from Germany issued 110 years ago were created between 1874 and 1913. They are often available in German archives, which keep civil status registers from registry offices.

These archives may vary by state. For example, they may be kept in the registry office of the place of birth or the relevant

federal state archive
city archive
district archive
state archive etc.

In some cases, you may also need to prove that you have a legitimate interest in the document. For example, you may be a direct descendant or a researcher.

We can carry out an extensive search of the relevant archives. To do this, we need the following information:

Your first- and lastname

I need the birth document of this Person:

First name / first names to which the document refers:

Surname of the person to whom the document refers (for female persons also the maiden name):

Place of birth of the person:

Month

Day

Year

Religious affiliation if known:

Name of mother if known:

Name of father if known:

Official certification required?

Yes No

Other helpful information about the person, such as: family relationship to the person, in which region is the place of birth, etc.

If documents are available please attach

>> After receiving your request, we will check which options are available and will make you an offer. <<

Please note that civil status certificates from archives are only available in German. Upon request, we can provide paid transcription and/or translation into English, Spanish or French. Fees vary depending on the language and length of the transcription or translation text.

The fees for the civil status certificate, including certification from state archives or municipal authorities, are 155 USD.

Without notarization, the cost is 116 USD. Shipping costs will be charged extra.

If no exact data is available for the desired entry, a search fee will be charged.

For an extensive search in the archives in question, we charge 122 USD.

The search fee is independent of success, which means that this fee cannot be refunded under any circumstances if the document cannot be found in the archive.