Official recording of miscarriages

 General information

In principle, miscarriages do not need to be notified. Since 1 April 2017, however, it has been possible to register the data regarding a miscarriage as other civil status data of the mother at the request of the mother (or of the father or the other parent). The basis is a medical confirmation that includes the date and, if ascertainable, the sex of the miscarriage. 

With the mother’s consent, the first name and family name of the man requesting registration as the father may also be registered. If requested, the registry office will issue a corresponding document.

Deadlines

There are no deadlines.

Competent authority

The registry office from which the registration is first requested:

• The Registry Office or Registry Office Association^{German text} for the municipality
• In Chartered Cities: the Registry Office^{German text} of the municipal executive
  • In Vienna: the Registry Offices in Vienna^{German text} in whose area (district) the miscarriage took place

Documents required

For the registration of the miscarriage, the following must be submitted:

• Official photo ID card
• Medical confirmation showing the date and, as far as can be ascertained, the gender of the miscarriage.

Naming

The mother/father may notify the name of the miscarried child to the authority responsible for civil status. This will be entered in the certificate.

Costs

• Notification: free of charge
• Certification: free of charge
• Document: free of charge
• After two years: EUR 9.30 

Further links

• "Stille Geburt“ pamphlet (→ Bundeskanzleramt)
• Miscarriage and stillbirth (→ Gesundheitsportal)

Legal basis

• Personenstandsgesetz (PStG)
• Personenstandsgesetz-Durchführungsverordnung (PStG-DV)
• Gebührengesetz (GebG)