Contact the Elterngeldstelle responsible for the child's place of residence. The federal states organise their offices differently, so the office name and accepted submission route vary.
Every federal state now offers a digital application option. Some use ElterngeldDigital; others use their own service. Whether the application can be transmitted completely online and how evidence is submitted depends on the state.
Our guide explains the questions in English and prepares the application documents for your answers.
Use the official local-advice search on familienportal.de and enter the child's postcode. It shows the responsible office and its contact details. Check that office's own page for the current form and accepted submission routes.
You do not generally need an appointment to submit an application by an accepted online or postal route. If you want an in-person appointment, check the responsible office's current rules first. Advice and document-review services differ between offices.
Application process
You apply at your local Elterngeldstelle (depends on your Bundesland)
Read moreRequired documents
The birth certificate and proof of previous income are standard evidence.
Read moreWhen to apply
Elterngeld is paid retroactively for no more than the three life months before the life month in which the application arrives.
Read moreOur free guide walks you through everything step by step.
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