You can obtain a birth certificate from the registry office (Standesamt) in the place where you were born. The registry office issues the birth certificate from the birth register, which contains details such as the child's first name, maiden name, sex, date and place of birth, and parents' names

. How to get a birth certificate:

• In person: Visit the registry office in your birth location with your identity card or passport. You may pay a fee when applying. Someone else can collect it on your behalf with a written power of attorney and proper identification

• By mail or fax: Send an informal letter to the relevant registry office including your full name, date and place of birth, parents' names, and a certified copy of your ID. Payment details will be provided by the office

• Online: Some registry offices offer online applications where you can submit your request electronically and upload documents, often using the online ID function of your ID card

If you were born in Germany but live abroad, you should contact the German registry office of your birth place directly, often called the Standesamt. Many accept email requests and can issue an international birth certificate, which is translated into several languages and useful for use abroad

. In the UK, birth certificates are obtained from the General Register Office (GRO) or the local register office where the birth was registered. Applications can be made online, by phone, or by post, with fees applicable

. In summary, the key point is that birth certificates are issued by the registry office where the birth was originally registered, and you must contact that office to obtain your certificate