Guardianships and notarizations

The parent with whom the child lives can apply to the Child and Youth Welfare Service for the establishment of a guardianship. The tasks of the guardianship include the following

• Establishing the paternity of a child born out of wedlock,
• Counselling for mothers and fathers of children on legal issues relating to the declaration of custody,
• Calculation and notarisation of the child's maintenance claim,
• assertion of this maintenance claim for underage children in court.

The establishment of guardianship is voluntary and free of charge. It begins with the receipt of a written application by the youth welfare office.

It is possible to set up guardianship even before the child is born. This does not restrict parental custody.

The guardianship can be terminated in writing at any time. It ends when the child reaches the age of 18. However, the specialist child and youth welfare service can provide young adults up to the age of 21 with advice and support on maintenance issues.

A whole range of declarations of intent in maintenance and child law require notarisation in order to be legally effective. Documents can be issued by notaries or specially appointed employees of the municipality (notaries).
At the Child and Youth Welfare Service, the following notarisations, among others, can be carried out free of charge:

• Recognition of paternity,
• Consent of the mother to acknowledge paternity,
• Recognition of maternity (if required),
• Maintenance obligation towards the child (also for ongoing divorce proceedings),
• Declaration on the exercise of joint parental authority,

It takes some time to issue a certificate. It is therefore recommended that you make an appointment in advance by telephone.

Acknowledgement of paternity
The following documents and information are required:

• Identity cards
• Details of marital status
• Denomination details
• Expected date of delivery in the case of a prenatal acknowledgement of paternity
• Notification of birth of the child
• Occupation of the child's father
• Telephone or mobile phone number for the purpose of making an appointment

Maintenance claims
The following documents and information are required:

• Identity card
• Occupation details
• Name and date of birth of the child
• Proof of the maintenance to be paid (e.g. letter from the lawyer etc.)
• Modification of the maintenance claim, submission of the existing maintenance title (deed, order of the local court)

Declarations of care
The following documents and information are required:

• Acknowledgement of paternity
• Identity cards
• Details of marital status
• Telephone or mobile phone number for the purpose of making an appointment

Negative certificate
The following documents and details are required:

• Identity card
• Details of the child
• Details of the single parent