What documents do I need for Kindergeld Application (Child Benefit, Germany)?

Your Tax ID (Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer), Child's Tax ID (Steuer-ID des Kindes), Birth Certificate (Geburtsurkunde), Residence Permit (Aufenthaltstitel), if not an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen and School, Training or University Certificate (children 18 and over).

What are the steps for Kindergeld Application (Child Benefit, Germany)?

7 steps, about 45 days in total: Check that you can claim Kindergeld; Collect your documents; Newborn: watch for the child's tax ID; Apply online or with form KG 1; Send it and keep proof; Answer letters from the Familienkasse; Report changes and plan for age 18.

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Kindergeld Application (Child Benefit, Germany)

Apply for Kindergeld at the Familienkasse: check that you can claim, collect both tax IDs, apply online or on paper, answer follow-up letters and report changes. Back payments only cover six months, so apply early.

Germany
~45 days
7 steps
5 documents

Curated by Raaya · Last reviewed Oct 2026

Steps

Check that you can claim Kindergeld
2 days

Kindergeld is a monthly payment for children, paid by the Familienkasse of the Federal Employment Agency. In general you can claim if you live in Germany or are taxable here and the child lives in your household. Children count until 18, and up to 25 while in school, training or studies or in some other situations. Only one person receives Kindergeld per child, usually the parent the child lives with.
Non-EU citizens: whether you can claim depends on your residence permit. EU citizens: the Familienkasse may check your right of residence. The rules for children living abroad are complex; ask the Familienkasse about your case.
The amount is set by law and changes from time to time. Check the current amount on the Familienkasse website.
Online
arbeitsagentur.de
Remind me
Collect your documents
2 days
Gather what the application asks for before you start. The tax IDs of the parent and the child are mandatory; without them the Familienkasse cannot pay. Have the IBAN of the account the money should go to ready.
Tip: Keep scans of everything in one folder; the Familienkasse often asks for the same proof again later.
- Your tax ID (Steuer-ID)
- The child's tax ID
- IBAN of the account for payment
- Birth certificate (especially for children born abroad)
- Residence permit, if you are not an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen
- For children 18 and over: school, training or university certificate
- Other parent's details, if the child lives with both of you
Your Tax ID (Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer)Birth Certificate (Geburtsurkunde)Residence Permit (Aufenthaltstitel), if not an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen
Attach my documents
Newborn: watch for the child's tax ID
1 day

After the birth is registered at the registry office (Standesamt), the Federal Central Tax Office posts the child's tax ID to your registered address, usually within a few weeks. You need it for the application. Do not wait too long: Kindergeld is paid back for at most six months before the month your application reaches the Familienkasse.
Tip: If the letter does not arrive, the BZSt website explains how to ask for the tax ID again.
Child's Tax ID (Steuer-ID des Kindes)
Attach my documents
Apply online or with form KG 1
1 day

Apply with the main form (Antrag auf Kindergeld, KG 1) plus one Anlage Kind per child. The easiest way is the online application on the Familienkasse website. If you identify yourself electronically (for example with BundID and the online ID function of your ID card), you can send it without printing. Otherwise you print the completed form, sign it and post it to your Familienkasse.
If the child lives with both parents, you decide together who receives Kindergeld; the form shows where the other parent confirms this.
Want back payments? Say so in the application and give the month from which you claim.
Online
arbeitsagentur.de
Your Tax ID (Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer)Child's Tax ID (Steuer-ID des Kindes)Residence Permit (Aufenthaltstitel), if not an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen
Attach my documents
Send it and keep proof
1 day

If you post the signed form, keep a copy of every page and note the date you sent it. The six-month back-payment window counts from the month the application arrives, so send it as soon as it is complete rather than waiting for one missing paper; the Familienkasse will ask for anything else it needs.
Tip: Note the date in Raaya so you can check when the reply is due.
Answer letters from the Familienkasse
21 days

The Familienkasse may write to ask for proof, such as a birth certificate, a school certificate or details about the other parent. Reply by the date given in the letter and quote your Kindergeld number or reference. If you miss the date, the application can be refused or payments stopped.
When the decision (Bescheid) arrives, check the start month and the child. If something is wrong, you can object (Einspruch) within one month, as stated in the letter. This is general information, not legal advice.
Birth Certificate (Geburtsurkunde)School, Training or University Certificate (children 18 and over)
Attach my documents
Report changes and plan for age 18
1 day

Tell the Familienkasse straight away when you move, change bank account, when the child moves out, or when school, training or studies start or end. Payments made without entitlement are reclaimed.
When the child turns 18, Kindergeld only continues if you prove a qualifying situation such as school, training or studies. Set a reminder a few months before the 18th birthday.
School, Training or University Certificate (children 18 and over)
Attach my documents

Documents you'll need

Your Tax ID (Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer)	Required for the parent who applies. It is on your tax assessment, payslip or the letter from the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt).
Child's Tax ID (Steuer-ID des Kindes)	Required for every child. For a newborn, the BZSt posts it a few weeks after the birth is registered.
Birth Certificate (Geburtsurkunde)	The Familienkasse may ask for it, especially for children born abroad. Foreign certificates may need a translation.
Residence Permit (Aufenthaltstitel), if not an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen	For non-EU citizens the type of residence permit matters for the claim. Include a copy if the form asks for it.
School, Training or University Certificate (children 18 and over)	Children aged 18 to 24 only count while in school, training, studies or another qualifying situation. Send proof when asked.

Official sources

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General guidance, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change; confirm with the official source before you act.