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Applying for Kindergeld (Child Benefit) in Germany
Document Checklist
Steuerliche Identifikationsnummern
Steuer-IDs (parent and child)
Required: Eleven-digit Steuer-ID for both the applicant parent and each child
Where to get: Issued by the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern; for newborns the Steuer-ID is sent automatically after Anmeldung at the Standesamt
Cost: Already issued
Per the Familienkasse, the Steuer-ID requirement applies from 01.01.2016 — the application cannot be processed without it.
Personalausweis oder Reisepass
Personalausweis or passport
Required: Original or scan of the applicant parent's identity document
Cost: Already issued
Non-EU residents also upload their Aufenthaltstitel showing entitlement to Kindergeld.
Geburtsurkunde
Birth certificate of each child
Required: Original or certified copy
Where to get: Standesamt where the birth was registered
Cost: Free at first issue; nominal for additional copies
Required for each child the Kindergeld application covers.
Bank account (IBAN) of the recipient
Required: IBAN of a German or SEPA-area bank account in the applicant's name
Cost: Already issued
Per the Familienkasse, payments are made by SEPA transfer; an account in the applicant's name is required.
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