Government of Canada services and information in Berlin, Germany

Refer to International adoption.

The Embassy of Canada cannot provide guidance regarding adoption procedures in Germany. Adoptions are under the responsibility of local German Youth Welfare offices. Surrogacy is not legally permitted in Germany.

Refer to Children born outside of Canada.

If your child is born in Germany and you have submitted the required documentation, the local registrar’s office (“Standesamt”) will issue a German birth certificate. It is recommended to ask for the international version. Birth in Germany does not entitle your child to German citizenship.

For many, it is now possible and recommended to apply for proof of Canadian citizenship online. Refer to Get proof of Canadian citizenship.

For those ineligible to submit your proof of citizenship application online:
Complete your proof of citizenship application and pay your fee online. Include a copy of your online payment receipt with your application. Note the following requirements before sending your documents by mail:

• include your email address with your forms
• enter “N/A” for any questions that do not apply to you
• Quebec birth certificates issued after January 1, 1994 are acceptable; Quebec birth certificates issued prior to January 1994 require an updated birth certificate

For more information regarding proof of citizenship, please refer to Get proof of citizenship.

Application can be mailed in at:

Embassy of Canada
Leipziger Platz 17
10117 Berlin
Germany

Refer to Marriage outside Canada.

Canadians wishing to get married in Germany need a certificate from the registrar's office (“Standesamt”). Requirements for Canadians vary depending upon the couple's status in Germany and where they plan to marry.

Canadians will be asked to present a long-form birth certificate indicating your parentage. Get the long-form birth certificate from a vital statistics office of the province or territory of birth.

Canadians may also be asked for a “Ledigkeitsbescheinigung”, which is a certificate of non-impediment to marriage stating that they are single. An exact equivalent does not exist in Canada. The Embassy of Canada in Berlin, however, can issue a statement in lieu of certificate of non-impediment to marriage for use in Germany only. The following are required:

• a certified copy of pages 2 and 3 of your current Canadian passport
• a certified copy of your Canadian birth or citizenship certificate
• a written declaration of present marital status, address in Germany and name of future spouse
• payment of fees (see Service fees)

Instead of the “Ledigkeitsbescheinigung”, the registrar might allow Canadians to make an affirmation of single status at the “Standesamt”.

The office provides the following notarial services, by appointment only, to Canadian citizens and, in limited cases, to non-Canadian citizens if the documents are intended for use in Canada. Note: Documents must be in English or French, or accompanied by an official translation in English or French.

Please note: Some services are only available through the provincial vital statistics offices in Canada or through the Authentication section of Global Affairs Canada.

Apostille (replaces authentication services)

On January 11, 2024, the Apostille Convention entered into force in Canada. The Apostille facilitates the use of Canadian documents abroad, such as civil documents (marriage or birth), and certificates (divorce or name change).

While we transition to the new Apostille processes, the Consular services of the Embassy of Canada in Berlin will offer authentication services for urgent cases only. If you have an urgent situation, please contact us at brlin-cs@international.gc.ca to provide more information on your situation.

Non-urgent applications for Apostille received by post or by appointment at the Consular services of the Embassy of Canada in Berlin after January 11, 2024, will not be processed and will be returned to clients.

The following notarial services continue to be offered by the Embassy of Canada:

• Certified copies of certain Canadian documents;
• Witnessing a signature, affidavit, sworn statement, statutory declaration;
• Issuing a Statement in lieu of Certificate of Non-impediment to Marriage Abroad.

If you have questions about notarial services, email brlin-cs@international.gc.ca.

You do not need to submit adult or child passport applications in person at the Embassy.

Complete your passport application, add the required documents, pay your fee online and enclose a copy of the payment receipt.

Send your application and online payment receipt by registered or traceable mail to:

Embassy of Canada
Consular Section
Leipziger Platz 17
10117 Berlin

You can enclose several applications in a single envelope. Your passport and original documents will be returned to you by registered mail. You do not have to provide an envelope or pay extra fees for this return mail service.

If you choose not to submit your application by registered mail, you can leave it with security at the entrance of the Embassy.

Note: Access to the Embassy is only permitted by appointment; drop-offs without an appointment must be made at the entrance.

When dropping off an application, or sending it by mail, we do not send an acknowledgement of receipt. We will only contact you if further information is required.

Note: Payment via bank transfer (Überweisung) is not possible. Passport fees must be paid online. The credit card you use to pay the fee does not have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt, but it does not need to match your application. If you experience difficulties using your own credit card, try a family member or friend to make this payment on your behalf. 

The processing time for passports is 20 working days (around 4 weeks) from the date of receipt of a complete application, excluding holidays and excluding postal delivery time (may take 1-2 weeks).

Note: Passports are printed in Canada. It is not possible for the Embassy to expedite this processing time.

Lost, stolen or damaged passports

To replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport, you must complete a passport application, along with the documents listed on the lost, stolen, inaccessible, damaged or found passports page, and submit it to the Embassy as indicated above.

Emergency passport application

If your application is urgent and you must travel under 20 working days (4 weeks), send an email to brlin-cs@international.gc.ca and provide details of your emergency.

Passports - Frequently asked questions

• Do Canadians with dual citizenship need a Canadian passport to travel to Canada?
• Can I extend the validity of my passport?
• Who can act as a guarantor?
• Who can act as a reference?

References are not required to reside in Germany or in Canada, nor are they required to be Canadian citizens.

• I have changed my surname. Can I obtain a new passport?
• What proof of Canadian citizenship is acceptable?
• In the event of separation or divorce, who can apply for a passport on behalf of a child?

Refer to Retiring abroad.

Same-sex marriages are recognized in Germany.

Refer to Students and youth and EduCanada.

Visa and immigration services are offered at the Embassy of Canada to Austria, in Vienna.

Refer to Travel documents – Visas.

• Apply to travel, study, work or immigrate to Canada.
• Find a visa application centre (VAC) to book an appointment to give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo).

Permanent residents of Canada: Find out how to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD).

Please note that we do not respond to applications for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), Study Permits, Work Permits, Visas, Permanent Resident Travel Documents, etc. Use the IRCC web form to contact the Visa Office in Vienna.

Refer to Voting in an election while outside Canada.