Declaration of Paternity
Voluntary acknowledgment of paternity by the biological father of a child born out of wedlock at the registry office or the youth welfare office.
How to proceed
- 1
Submit a statement to the registry office or the Department of Children and Family Services
In person, with an ID card and, if necessary, the child’s birth certificate.
- 2
Declaration of Consent from the Mother
The mother must give her consent at the same time or beforehand.
- 3
Entry in the birth registry
The father is entered in the birth registry; custody and child support obligations arise.
Responsible authority
The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →
Fees
Varies by case
Processing time
1 day
Official: max. 1 day
Online application
In person or by post
Common mistakes
- • The mother's consent was not obtained (required)
- • Prenatal acknowledgment: no registration without the mother's consent
The essentials before applying
Who is eligible?
Fathers of children born out of wedlock who wish to officially acknowledge paternity and establish legal rights and obligations.
Income limit
The limit varies by household and region – see the table at the responsible authority or in the application assistant.
Processing time
Nationwide: approx. 1 day
Success rate
approx. 99.0 % (estimate)
Most common mistakes
- •The mother's consent was not obtained (required)
- •Prenatal acknowledgment: no registration without the mother's consent
Common reasons for rejection
Alternatives
- Check related services in the application assistant
- Use social counselling before applying
If rejected
Read the decision carefully: often submitting missing documents or reapplying helps more than an objection.