When a child is born whose’ parents are not married to each other, the paternity has to be clarified in order to be taken into account by German authorities.

Two declarations are necessary for this – the acknowledgment by the father and the consent of the mother.

In Canada, both declarations are usually made as part of the birth registration. According to Canadian law, an extract from the birth register (called “Statement of Live Birth”, “Birth Extract”, “Birth Registration” or “Registration of Live Birth”, depending on the province), in which the father is entered and has signed, is sufficient proof that paternity has been acknowledged. The father's declaration is also valid in this form for German law, regardless of his nationality. If the child's mother is not a German citizen, her declaration is also valid in this form.

However, if the child's mother is a German citizen, the mother's express consent is also required if the child is born in the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick, the Yukon Territory and the Northwest Territories in order for the paternity to be considered valid under German law. Such a declaration must be notarized and can be made in Canada at the German Consulate General in Toronto or Vancouver. If the child has reached the age of majority, his or her express consent is also required.

All declarants must appear in person. The notarization is subject to a fee. Please contact the Consulate General Toronto or Vancouver in advance if you are unsure whether a declaration of consent is required in your case or so that the notarization can be prepared. As soon as the Consulate General has checked your documents, we will arrange an appointment with you directly.

Please note that the declaration of consent must be notarized before a name declaration can be made or a passport application can be submitted. Appointments for the submission of a name declaration or for a passport application can be booked on consecutive days if required.

Please find out about the requirements for submitting a name declaration and a passport application before booking an appointment.

In Germany, the declaration of consent can also be submitted before a notary.