The Elterngeldstelle
This is the authority that checks your application. Which office is responsible depends on your child's address.
FIND YOUR ELTERNGELDSTELLE
Where your application actually needs to go.
The right office depends on where your child lives. Choose your state to find the responsible Elterngeldstelle and the correct application form.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Your child's address decides which office is responsible.
There is no single Elterngeldstelle for Germany. Depending on the state, applications are handled by a district, city, borough or regional authority. Your state page shows you which one applies.
We confirm your responsible office with you.
Inside the application flow we look up your Elterngeldstelle in the official register and confirm it with you before anything is sent, based on your child's address.
Start the Elterngeld Guide →ALL 16 FEDERAL STATES
Start with your Bundesland.
The office comes next. The form can differ, too.
Baden-Württemberg
Own state form
Bayern
Own state form · Our interactive application does not support Bavaria yet.
Berlin
Federal form
Brandenburg
Federal form
Bremen
Federal form
Hamburg
Federal form
Hessen
Federal form
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Federal form
Niedersachsen
Federal form
Nordrhein-Westfalen
Own state form
Rheinland-Pfalz
Federal form
Saarland
Federal form
Sachsen
Federal form
Sachsen-Anhalt
Federal form
Schleswig-Holstein
Federal form
Thüringen
Federal form
THREE THINGS THAT SOUND SIMILAR
The office, the form and our guide are not the same thing.
The application form
You use the form required by your state. Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and NRW use their own state forms.
Our interactive guide
It explains the questions in English and fills the required form for you. Bavaria is the only state not supported yet.
WHAT YOU PROBABLY STILL WANT TO KNOW
Before you send it somewhere.
Can I submit my application to any Elterngeldstelle?
No. Send it to the office responsible for your child's registered address. Your state page explains how responsibility is divided locally.
What if I move after submitting the application?
Tell the office processing your application about the move. If another office becomes responsible, the authorities can clarify the transfer with you.
Does every state use the same form?
No. Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Nordrhein-Westfalen use their own state forms. The other 13 states use the federal form.
Can I apply online?
Every state offers a digital route, but the process differs. In some states you can submit online; in others the completed application still needs to be printed, signed and sent.
Official information and postcode search: Familienportal des Bundes. Reviewed August 2026.