Particle.news

German Cabinet Approves Bill to Curb Abusive Paternity Acknowledgements

Backers cite costly fraud schemes as the proposal proceeds to Bundestag review.

Overview

  • Under the draft, a paternity recognition becomes effective only after the local immigration authority consents when a residency‑rights gap exists between the parents.
  • Civil registries must refuse entries without that consent, and the abuse review is separated from notarization and registration to prevent approval shopping.
  • Exemptions aim to protect bona fide families, including proven biological fathers, parents who marry after birth, couples with an existing child, or partners cohabiting for at least 18 months.
  • Authorities could withdraw consent obtained through deceit, bribery or threats, correct residence and benefit outcomes, and a new offense would criminalize false or incomplete declarations made to secure consent.
  • Government documents estimate up to 65,000 procedures a year and fiscal losses in the hundreds of millions, while critics cite relatively few confirmed cases and warn of excessive bureaucracy and likely legal challenges.