If you're an Indian citizen, and your baby is born in Germany, there are some important steps you should take as soon as possible to ensure everything is in order. This includes registering your baby's birth, obtaining a birth certificate, passport, residence permit, and gathering any additional documents you might need.
Which citizenship does a newborn of Indian parents in Germany get?
Many Indian people living in Germany often wonder about their newborn's citizenship. Let me break it down for you. If your child is born in Germany after January 1, 2000, they can become a German citizen, even if neither parent is German. However To qualify for this,
One parent should have been legally residing in Germany for eight years and have either an unlimited residence right or an unlimited residence permit for three years.
Children who acquire German citizenship this way, between the ages of 18 and 23, must decide whether to keep their German citizenship or choose their parents' citizenship (called Optionspflicht).
If you don't meet these criteria, your child will automatically be an Indian citizen. However, to officially make them an Indian citizen, you need to register them at the Indian consulate.
You can find more information in the FAQs on The Federal Foreign Office's website.
How to apply Indian citizenship for my child?
Step 1: Get the German birth certificate
You should register your baby's birth at the local registry office (Standesamt) where the baby is born within seven days of delivery.
Nowadays, you can do this online through the hospital. If needed, the mother can also handle the registration herself. Alternatively, the father, midwife, a relative, or a close friend can register the birth on behalf of the parents with an authorization letter.
Documents needed for registering the birth at the Standesamt (local registry office)
Copy of both the parents’ birth certificate (A translated version if not in English).
Marriage certificate (A translated version if not in English).
Copy of the passport of both the parents
Application form (You will receive the application form either when you register at the hospital or when you arrive at the hospital for the delivery.)
Once you've submitted your application online, you can apply for a birth certificate through your city's citizen portal. It might take about a week or two to receive it, and you'll get it through the mail; it's only available by post.
Here are the links to the online application portals for some major cities in Germany:
If your town / city is not listed here, you can use this portal to see if there’s an online service available.
Typically, you'll receive multiple copies of the birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde). These copies can be used for various purposes, such as applying for child benefits (kindergeld), health insurance, parental allowance (elterngeld), and more.
When you're applying, you'll typically be asked if you need an international version of the birth certificate, which is essentially an English translation. I highly recommend getting it, as you might need it if you ever leave Germany or for other purposes.
If online submission isn't available in your city, you or the authorised representative can carry out the process at the local citizen's office.
International Birth Certificate | German Birth Certificate |
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If you require any document translations to or from German and English, you can count on Beglaubigung24, a reliable translation service.
Step 2: Registering your baby as an Indian citizen in Germany
Registering your baby as an Indian citizen in Germany involves four steps.
You'll need to submit an online application form on the Ministry of Home Affairs’s web portal and upload below documents.
Photograph of the child (Indian passport size (35x35 mm / 2 x 2 inch), white background, JPG format, the size should not exceed 20 KB)
Signatures of the both the parents (JPG format less than 20 KB in size)
Birth Certificate of the child issued by local German Authority (PDF format, less than 1 MB)
Copies of passport of both parents (first and last page of the passport) [ PDF format, less than 1 MB]
Print out the form that was submitted online to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and it's important that both parents sign it before submitting.
You have the option to either submit the form in person at the Office of the Consulate General of India in your city or send it to the consulate, along with the required supporting documents as listed in the provided checklist.
If there’s no Indian consulate in the city you live in, you can go to the Indian consulate in a nearby town. Alternatively, you can also post the application to the Indian consulate nearest to you.
When visiting the consulate in person, you'll need to pay an application fee at the counter. If you're sending the application by post, you can make the payment via a bank transfer. However, it's important to note that the payment should be made in advance, as it may take 2 to 3 working days to reflect in their bank account.
Be sure to include proof of payment with your supporting documents, as the application will be returned to you without processing if this is missing.
Documents required to register your child as an Indian citizen in Germany
Here is a list of the documents you'll need to register your child as an Indian citizen in Germany:
A printed copy of the online application form.
A copy of the birth certificate issued by the local German Authority.
Copies of both parents' passports.
A copy of address proof, such as Meldebescheinigung or Personalausweis.
A self-addressed envelope with a Euro 4.05 stamp (if you want the Birth Certificate to be sent to you by post).
For details regarding fees and bank account information, kindly visit the official website of the specific Indian consulate.
It is important to note that:
The child is eligible for registration as Indian Citizenship by "Descent" only if at least one parent (or both parents) holds Indian nationality at the time of the child's birth.
The Indian Consulate retains the right to request additional documents if deemed necessary.
The applicant may be summoned for a personal interview or for verification of original documents if required.
It's important to note that the application for Indian citizenship must be submitted within one year of the child's birth, using the prescribed form.
Step 3: Get Indian Passport for your child born in Germany
Once you've obtained Indian citizenship, you can proceed to apply for an Indian passport for your child.
You also have the option to apply for both Indian citizenship and an Indian passport simultaneously. However, it's important to include both applications along with separate copies of the supporting documents in the envelope. The Indian consulate will return the applications if separate copies of supporting documents are not included in the envelope when you send them.
Here's a checklist of the documents and the procedure for applying for an Indian passport for your child:
Visit the Passport Seva at Indian Embassies and Consulates website, select Germany from the list of countries, and complete the application form on your child's behalf.
Print a copy of the passport application form.
Instead of a signature, take a thumb impression of your child in the signature box on the first and last pages of the application form (use the left thumb for boys and the right thumb for girls).
Include a copy of the birth certificate issued by the local German authority.
Provide a copy of the Indian birth certificate.
Attach two photographs of the child (one pasted on the designated place in the application form and the other stapled on the last page of the application form).
Include self-attested copies of the parents' passports and residence permits/visas.
Include a copy of the Meldebescheinigung (Proof of residency/address).
Prepare a Consent Letter from the parents (please refer to your respective consulate's website for the form).
If either parent has not given consent, include Annexe G (please refer to your respective consulate's website for the form).
As mentioned earlier, you have the option to submit the form in person at the Office of the Consulate General of India in your city, or you can send it to the consulate along with the required supporting documents, as mentioned in the checklist above.
If there is no Indian consulate in your city, you can visit the Indian consulate in a nearby town. Alternatively, you can mail the application to the Indian consulate nearest to you, along with the necessary supporting documents.
When submitting the application in person at the consulate, a processing fee must be paid. If you are sending the application via post, you should transfer the corresponding amount to the consulate's bank account. You can find fee information on the consulate's website.
To receive the new passport by post, make sure to include a medium-sized self-addressed and stamped envelope (EUR 4.05) along with your application.
It's worth noting that the child's presence may not be required at the consulate.
How long it takes to process an Indian passport application in Germany?
It typically takes about 6 to 8 weeks to get a new passport, but the exact duration can vary depending on how busy the consulate is.
Based on our experience, applications sent to the Indian consulate by post receive the same level of priority as those submitted in person. Therefore, we recommend sending all your applications by post to avoid any unnecessary waiting time at the consulate.
Step 4: Get the residence permit for your child
Once you have your child's passport, the remaining steps in the process are the same for all residents in Germany.
Requirements to apply residence permit for your child in Germany
If both parents (in the case of shared parental responsibility) or the parent with the sole parental responsibility are in possession of a valid residence title when the child is born.
Your baby was born in Germany and is registered as living in a household with the custodial parents.
You can either visit the online portal of the town or city where you reside and apply for the permit online. Alternatively, you can go to your local Bürgerbüro (citizens' office) in person to submit the application.
Conclusion
Ensuring that your newborn has all the essential documentation and access to benefits for life in Germany involves several important steps. These include registering the birth, securing a birth certificate, obtaining a residence permit, and determining your child's citizenship status. It's also vital to consider matters like maternity and paternity leave, child benefits, and childcare options available in Germany. By following the guidance provided in this article, you can simplify the process and ensure a smoother journey for you and your family.
Frequently asked questions
Is my Indian newborn automatically granted German citizenship if they are born in Germany?
No, being born in Germany does not automatically grant German citizenship to an Indian newborn. Germany follows the principle of jus sanguinis, which means citizenship is typically inherited from the parents.