You can get a birth certificate near you by contacting the registry office (Standesamt) in the place where the birth was registered or occurred. Here are some general steps and options depending on your location:
- In Germany: You must apply at the competent Standesamt of the town or city where you were born or where the birth was registered. You can apply in person, by mail, or sometimes by email. Many offices also issue an international birth certificate, which is translated into several languages and useful for use abroad. You need to provide identification and pay a fee, usually around €12. If you were born in former Eastern German territories, you may need to contact Standesamt I in Berlin. For example, in Heidelberg, you can order by mail or fax or by phone and collect in person
- In the United States: Birth certificates are typically obtained from the local or state vital records office where the birth occurred. For example, in San Antonio, Texas, you can get a birth certificate from the Office of the City Clerk in person, by mail, or online through a service called VitalChek. You must provide valid ID and proof of relationship if requesting someone else's certificate. Fees apply and vary by location
- General advice: Search online for the registry office or vital records office in your birth location. You can often find application forms and instructions on their official websites. Many offices require proof of identity and may restrict access to birth certificates to qualified applicants.
If you specify your location or place of birth, I can provide more precise contact details and instructions.
