In the eyes of the law that man is father of a child who has been married to its mother at the date of birth. If the child does not descend from this man, paternity may be contested by means of lawsuit.

A child that has been born during ongoing divorce proceedings or shortly after the divorce will only be awarded to the (former) husband if no other man acknowledges the child.

In the case of single mothers, that man is father of the child, who acknowledged paternity or whose paternity has been judicially ascertained.

The acknowledgement of paternity takes place by formal declaration of the father and by consent of the mother. Both declarations must be certified.

This certification can be made at the Fachbereich für Jugend und Familie der Stadt Hannover (Department for Youth and Family of the City of Hanover), at the registry office or at the notary. As soon as the acknowledgement of paternity becomes valid, the child is entitled to receive alimentation and to inherit.