This leaflet provides information the following, very specific scenario:

The father was a German citizen at the time of birth but is not married to the mother who is Ghanaian citizen. The child lives in Ghana together with the mother.

The procedure mentioned below does not apply to other scenarios. Please take notice of the information provided on the Embassy’s website and leaflets before applying for a passport. In case there are any questions, please contact the Embassy: info@accra.diplo.de

I. Recognition of paternity´

In order to establish a legal relationship between the father and his child in the above mentioned scenario, a so-called recognition of paternity is required (according to §§ 1592 ff. German civil code). The content of the Ghanaian birth certificate cannot be transferred into German law. The recognition of paternity is a statement in which the father of the child makes before a competent German authority / notary / consular officer that he is the father of a child.

This declaration, however, is only effective if the child's mother agrees, and gives a so-called declaration of consent. Should the father live in Germany, he may undergo the process of the declaration of the recognition of paternity in the youth office / registrar’s office of his place of residence or before a German notary. Consequently, the mother can make her statement (declaration of consent) at the Legal and Consular Section of the German Embassy in Accra.

For the declaration of recognition of paternity / consent in Ghana an appointment with the Embassy must be arranged in advance. For this purpose, please contact the Head of Legal and Consular section by e-mail.

II. Name declaration

After the recognition of paternity, a so-called name declaration is required. In most cases, the last name given in the Ghanaian birth certificate cannot be accepted without the declaration from the German legal perspective. If the child's father is a resident of Germany, he can make this statement at the registrar’s office of his place of residence. Consequently, the mother can make an identical statement at the Consular Section of the Embassy.

For the declaration of name in Ghana an appointment with the Embassy must be arranged in advance. For this purpose, please contact the head of the passport section via e-mail.

On the Embassy’s website you will find a leaflet which provides information on the choice of name and the process. After the processing is complete the competent registry office will issue a name certificate, for which a fee is charged. An appointment for (child) passport application should only be booked after the Embassy or a parent has received this name certificate.

Please note that the entire process may take several months to complete.