Obtain Your Father's Austrian Birth Certificate: A Step-By-Step Guide

If you are looking to obtain a copy of your father's Austrian birth certificate, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the process may vary depending on your country of residence and whether your father is still alive. In some countries, birth certificates are not public records, and you may need to be listed on the certificate or have your father's consent to obtain a copy. If your father is deceased, you may need to provide a death certificate and proof of your relationship. In Austria, birth certificates are issued by the registry office (Standesamt) in the district where the birth took place. You can submit an application to the registry office to request a copy of the birth certificate, and there may be fees involved. Additionally, the documents are in German, and you may need to arrange for translation if presenting the certificate internationally.

Requesting a birth certificate for the first time

To request a birth certificate for the first time in Austria, you must submit an application to the registry office in the child's place of birth. This could be the Registry Office or Registry Office Association of the municipality, the Registry Office of the municipal executive in Chartered Cities, or the Registry Office in the district of Vienna where the birth took place.

The first issuance of documents such as birth certificates can be carried out online via Digital Babypoint. However, the documents required for the birth certificate must be presented to the registry office by the mother or parents. Some registry offices and hospitals cooperate, meaning that the hospitals send the necessary documents and a 'Notification of Birth' form to the registry office.

There are no fees for the first issue of a birth certificate for a child, as long as it is issued within two years of their birth. However, there are generally additional costs for sending the birth certificate. Austrians residing abroad can obtain a birth certificate from the Austrian administrative authority in their country, provided that the required data is recorded in the Central Civil Status Register (ZPR).

For births or deaths that occurred on or after 1 January 1939, and for marriages conducted on or after 1 August 1938, civil status documents can be ordered online from the Register Office Vienna. However, there is a fee for this service. To order documents online, you must know the civil status details of the person concerned. If you only have information about the register office where the birth was registered, you can contact them directly to get further information.

How to apply for a birth certificate online

To apply for a birth certificate online, you will need to know the civil status details of the person the certificate is for. If you are applying for a child's birth certificate, you should do so within three days of leaving the hospital or after a home birth.

In Austria, the first issuance of a birth certificate can be carried out online via Digital Babypoint. The registry office in the child's place of birth will issue the birth certificate. The documents required for the issue of the birth certificate must be presented to the registry office by the mother/parents. Some registry offices and hospitals cooperate with one another, meaning that the hospitals concerned send the registry office the documents required for issuing the first birth certificate together with the 'Notification of Birth' form. Upon request, the registry office will issue a certificate of registration of residence and, if the child has Austrian citizenship, a certificate of nationality, in addition to the birth certificate.

If the person was not a member of a religious community at the time of their birth, or if the parents of the newborn child were members of different religious communities, the documents are available at the Civil Status Register (Zivile Altmatrik). Documents of persons registered in the Austrian Military Register (Österreichische Militärmatrik) are available at the Austrian State Archives (Österreichisches Staatsarchiv).

In the U.S., state, county, or city governments usually hold birth certificate records. Some states require that only the people named on the certificate can order copies if the person in question is still living. In other states, children can order copies of their living parents' birth certificates. To replace or amend a consular report of birth abroad, you can contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

How to get a birth certificate from a registry office

Obtaining a birth certificate from a registry office in Austria involves several steps and requirements. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you through the process:

Locate the Appropriate Registry Office

First, you need to identify the correct registry office. If your child was born in Austria, the responsible registry office is typically determined by the child's place of birth, such as the hospital's location. In chartered cities, you would need to go to the Registry Office of the municipal executive. For births that occurred in Vienna, the Registry Office of the city district where the birth took place is the relevant authority.

Gather Required Documents

To obtain a birth certificate, you must present the necessary documents to the registry office. This typically includes providing official photo identification. If you are applying on behalf of someone else, you may need additional documentation, such as a letter of authorisation.

Submit an Application

You can apply for a birth certificate in person, in writing, or electronically. The application form can be obtained from the competent authority, and there is no fee for the first issuance of a birth certificate if applied for within two years of the child's birth. When submitting the application, ensure that all required fields are completed, and any necessary supporting documents are attached.

Processing and Issuance

If you apply in person and all the required data is in order, the birth certificate is typically issued immediately. However, if there are discrepancies or missing information, the process may take longer. For electronic or written applications, the processing time may vary, and additional costs may apply for sending the birth certificate.

Additional Services

The registry office can also provide other important documents, such as a certificate of registration of residence and a certificate of nationality for Austrian citizens. These additional documents can be requested along with the birth certificate application.

Reissuance of Birth Certificate

In the event that you require a duplicate birth certificate due to loss, theft, or the need for a multilingual version, you can submit an application for reissuance. This process may involve additional requirements, and there may be fees associated with the reissuance.

It is important to note that the birth certificate is essential for bureaucratic procedures and serves as proof of certain personal data. Therefore, it is recommended to apply for the birth certificate promptly after the birth of your child. Additionally, if you are an Austrian residing abroad, you can obtain a birth certificate from the Austrian administrative authority in your country, provided that the necessary data is recorded in the Central Civil Status Register.

Getting a birth certificate from a hospital

In Austria, birth certificates are issued by the registry office in the child's place of birth. This could be the Registry Office or Registry Office Association of the municipality, the Registry Office of the municipal executive in Chartered Cities, or the Registry Office in Vienna. The documents required for issuing a birth certificate must be presented to the relevant registry office by the mother or parents.

Some registry offices and hospitals work together, meaning that the hospitals send the necessary documents and a 'Notification of Birth' form to the registry office. In this case, you can inquire at the hospital or competent registry office. The registry office will also issue a certificate of registration of residence and, if the child has Austrian citizenship, a certificate of nationality.

If the child was born out of wedlock, the biological father can only be specified on the birth certificate if he submits an acknowledgement of paternity or if paternity has been established by a court. If the child was born in wedlock or during a valid registered partnership, the husband or registered partner is cited as the father.

For Austrians residing abroad, it is possible to obtain a birth certificate from the Austrian administrative authority located in the country. However, the required data must already be recorded in the Central Civil Status Register (ZPR). For births that occurred before November 1, 2014, data must be retrospectively entered into the Central Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths (ZMR) at the relevant municipal registry of births, marriages, and deaths.

In the United States, state, county, or city governments usually hold birth certificate records, and the process for obtaining a copy varies by state. In some states, only the people named on the certificate can order copies if the child is still living. In other states, children can order copies of their living parents' birth certificates. In some cases, a court order signed by a judge may be required, which means you may need a lawyer.

It is important to note that birth certificates are typically not public records, and access is restricted to the individuals named on the certificate or, in some cases, their children or other close relatives.

What to do if the birth took place before 1939

If your father's birth took place before 1939, you will need to contact the respective church offices of the religious community to obtain a copy of his Austrian birth certificate. This includes Roman Catholic parishes, Protestant parishes of all types, Old Catholic parishes, Greek-Orthodox churches, and the Jewish Community. If your father was not a member of a religious community at the time of his birth, or if your grandparents were members of different religious communities, you will need to contact the Civil Status Register (Zivile Altmatrik).

Additionally, if your father was registered in the Austrian Military Register (Österreichische Militärmatrik), you can obtain the birth certificate from the Austrian State Archives (Österreichisches Staatsarchiv) in Vienna. The address is Nottendorfer Gasse 2, 1030 Vienna, and the phone number is +43 1 795 40-0.

It is important to note that national documents and certificates are issued in German only and bear an electronic signature. If you need the document for submission outside of Austria or German-speaking countries, you may want to request an international version.

Civil registration of births in Austria was introduced in 1938. Before that, the registers were maintained by religious communities, and they still retain these documents and data in their archives.

Frequently asked questions