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acknowledge paternity
Do you want to acknowledge paternity to a child?
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Basic information
Paternity of a minor child can be acknowledged in a public deed. The necessary consents (e.g. of the child's mother) can also be notarized.
The deeds can be recorded before or after the birth of the child.
If the father does not acknowledge paternity, the child's mother can receive advice and assistance in establishing paternity. She can also set up a guardianship of the youth welfare office for this purpose.
Requirements
- The child does not need to be born yet,
- but it must be conceived
- expected date of delivery or date of birth and name of the child
- data of the other parent
- The father must appear in person
- The mother must personally certify her consent
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Procedure
- Make an appointment with the Office of Social Services -Youth Welfare Office, Specialist Service Support/Maintenance for Minors.
- To make an appointment, you can use the online service under "Further information" - "Online service" - "Recognition of fatherhood, maternity, declaration of custody".
- Both parents must appear in person, preferably together.
- After explaining the legal consequences of the document, it is read out and signed by the father. If the child's mother is present, she can also sign.
- Certified copies of the document are handed out.
- The consent of the child's mother is required for the recognition to be effective. If this is also provided, a birth certificate can be issued at the child's birth registry office, in which the father is noted.
More information
Paternity can also be recognised at the registry office.
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Necessary Documents
- Identity card or passport
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Online Services
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Fees / Costs
free of charge
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Deadlines & processing time
What deadlines must be paid attention to?
The child does not have to be born yet, but it must be conceived.
How long does it take to process
Duration of the appointment approx. 30 to 60 minutes. An appointment is usually offered at short notice, within 3 weeks at the latest.
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More Information
- Datenschutzinformation zur Beantragung der Beurkundung der Sorgeerklärung und zur Anerkennung der Mutter- bzw. Vaterschaft
- Düsseldorfer Tabelle - Unterhaltsrechtliche Leitlinien
- Zentralstelle für die Verwirklichung der Gleichberechtigung der Frau (Homepage)
- Antrag auf Festsetzung von Unterhalt für ein minderjähriges Kind im vereinfachten Verfahren nebst Merkblatt (Bundeseinheitliche Formulare aus dem Justizportal des Bundes und der Länder)
- "Das Kindschaftsrecht", Fragen und Antworten zum Abstammungsrecht, zum Recht der elterlichen Sorge, zum Umgangsrecht, zum Namensrecht und zum Kindesunterhaltsrecht.
- Die Beistandschaft, Fragen und Antworten des Bundesministeriums fürr Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend zur Beratung bei Vaterschaftsfeststellung und Kindesunterhalt
- Broschüre vom Bundesministerium zur Beistandschaft und weiteren Hilfen des Jugendamtes
- Brochure from the Federal Ministry on guardianship and other support provided by the Youth Welfare Office
Frequently asked Questions
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I would like to acknowledge paternity.
You can do this in person at the social centers of the Office for Social Services -Youth Welfare Office- at the specialist service "Beistandschaft/Unterhalt für Minderjährige" http://www.amtfuersozialedienste.bremen.de/sixcms/detail.php?gsid=bremen02.c.732.de ( see also the service "Acknowledging paternity" http://service.bremen.de/sixcms/detail.php?gsid=bremen128.c.45709.de&asl=bremen2014_sp.c.13091.de ).
The personal consent of the child's mother is required.
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I need child support.
If you need help in enforcing alimony against the debtor, contact the Social Centers of the Office of Social Services -Youth Welfare Office- Specialist Services Assistance/Maintenance for Minors.
If you would like to apply for an advance on maintenance payments, please contact the Social Centers of the Social Services Office -Economic Youth Welfare Services- (see also the service "Applying for an Advance on Maintenance Payments" https://www.service.bremen.de/sixcms/detail.php?gsid=bremen128.c.821299.de&asl=bremen2014_sp.c.13092.de ).
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I am to have alimony notarized.
You can do this in person at the social centers of the Office for Social Services -Youth Welfare Office- bem Fachdienst Beistandschaft/ Unterhalt für Minderjährige.
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I need a certificate of sole custody.
You can obtain the certificate at the social centers of the Office for Social Services - Youth Welfare Office - at the specialist service for guardianship/maintenance for minors (see also service "Request information from the custody register" https://www.service.bremen.de/auskunft-aus-dem-sorgeregister-anfordern-178016).
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I would like to have joint parental care notarized
You can do this in person at the social centers of the Office for Social Services-Youth Welfare Office-at the specialist service "Beistandschaft/Unterhalt für Minderjährige" (see also service "Antrag gemeinsame Sorge" http://service.bremen.de/sixcms/detail.php?gsid=bremen128.c.48454.de&asl=bremen2014_sp.c.13092.de
This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.
The official information in German is complete and correct. 28.05.2026