Get Birth Certificates in Liechtenstein

A birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde) in Liechtenstein is a key civil document required for obtaining a personal identity document, enrolling in school, applying for a Liechtenstein passport, and many other official purposes. Liechtenstein is a small doubly landlocked principality between Switzerland and Austria, with German as its official language. This guide covers how to get birth certificates in Liechtenstein, including in the capital Vaduz and in Schaan.

How Birth Registration Works in Liechtenstein

In Liechtenstein, civil registration is handled by the Office of Persons and Civil Status (Amt für Personen und Zivilstandswesen — APZ), which maintains the Population Register (Einwohnerregister) and civil status records for the entire country. Births must be registered within three days at the local municipality (Gemeinde) where the birth occurred or where the parents are registered.

When a baby is born — most commonly at Liechtenstein’s main hospital (Landesspital) in Vaduz — the hospital provides a birth notification. Parents then visit the municipal office or the APZ to complete the official birth registration. Liechtenstein is a small country with only 11 municipalities, making the process accessible throughout the territory.

Documents Required for Birth Registration in Liechtenstein

To register a birth and obtain a Geburtsurkunde in Liechtenstein, parents typically need:

Hospital birth notification (Geburtsanzeige from the hospital)
Valid identity documents of both parents (Liechtenstein identity card or passport)
Marriage certificate (Heiratsurkunde) if married
If unmarried: an acknowledgment of paternity (Vaterschaftsanerkennung) before the civil registrar

Liechtenstein has close ties with Switzerland and uses similar administrative procedures. The APZ also provides guidance in English for foreign nationals who form a significant portion of Liechtenstein’s resident population.

Getting a Birth Certificate in Vaduz

Vaduz is the capital of Liechtenstein and the seat of the national government and the APZ. The Landesspital (National Hospital) where most births in Liechtenstein take place is also located in Vaduz. Parents registering a birth in Vaduz can visit the Vaduz municipality office (Gemeindeverwaltung Vaduz) or the APZ directly to complete registration and receive the Geburtsurkunde.

The APZ in Vaduz issues birth certificates and other civil status documents for the entire country. Certified copies can be requested from the APZ at any time by submitting identification. Liechtenstein also uses Swiss postal services and has close administrative ties with Switzerland, making document delivery smooth.

Getting a Birth Certificate in Schaan

Schaan is Liechtenstein’s most populous municipality, slightly larger in population than the capital Vaduz. It is located adjacent to Vaduz in the Rhine Valley. Births in Schaan are registered at the Schaan municipal office or at the APZ. The process is identical to Vaduz — parents present the hospital birth notification and identification within three days to complete registration.

Given Liechtenstein’s small geographic area (approximately 160 km²), the APZ in Vaduz is easily reachable from Schaan and all other municipalities. Certified copies of birth certificates from Schaan can also be obtained from the APZ.

Frequently Asked Questions

What office handles civil registration in Liechtenstein?

The Office of Persons and Civil Status (Amt für Personen und Zivilstandswesen — APZ) is the central authority for civil registration in Liechtenstein. It maintains birth, marriage, and death records for the entire country.

How many days do you have to register a birth in Liechtenstein?

Births in Liechtenstein must be registered within three days at the local municipal office or the APZ.

Can a Liechtenstein birth certificate be apostilled?

Yes. Liechtenstein is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Apostilles for Liechtenstein civil documents are issued by the Office of Justice (Amt für Justiz) or another competent authority.

Can children born in Liechtenstein acquire citizenship automatically?

Liechtenstein citizenship is acquired primarily through Liechtenstein parentage (jus sanguinis), not through birth in the country. Children born to non-Liechtenstein parents do not automatically become citizens. Naturalization is possible after a long period of legal residence and meeting strict requirements.

Conclusion

Getting a birth certificate in Liechtenstein is a compact and efficient process given the country’s small size and centralized APZ. Whether the birth occurs in Vaduz or Schaan, parents register within three days and receive the Geburtsurkunde from the municipal office or the APZ. The birth certificate is the foundational civil document in Liechtenstein, required for identity documents, school enrollment, and all official matters.