Paternity & Custody

  • In the case of unmarried parents, the legal relationship of the child to the father is established by an acknowledgement of paternity with the consent of the mother. This can be recorded both at the competent youth welfare office and the registry office.

  • Married parents have joint custody of their child by law. Unmarried mothers, on the other hand, have sole custody of their child unless they and the father submit a joint custody declaration to the responsible youth welfare office. The youth welfare offices provide detailed advice on this.

    Acknowledgements of paternity and declarations of custody can be made both before and after the birth of the child and are free of charge.