Child Reunification Germany - Custody, Age & Visa

Child reunification to Germany - why age and custody are decisive

Child reunification is especially important for families. One parent already lives in Germany, while the child still lives abroad and is supposed to join them. With minor children, the emotional pressure is high: separation, school changes, care, safety concerns and long waiting times at embassies and immigration authorities.

Legally, child reunification is often possible. In practice, however, it frequently fails or is delayed because of missing or unclear documents: custody, consent of the other parent, birth certificates, passport, translations, income, housing or unclear family circumstances.

"In child reunification cases, time must not be lost. Age, custody and complete documents can decide whether the procedure is successful in time."

— Tom Beisel, Attorney at Law (Germany)

Attorney Tom Beisel assists parents with child reunification, visa procedures, custody issues, missing consent of the other parent, delays and rejections.

What does child reunification mean?

Child reunification means that a minor child can move to Germany to join one parent or both parents. In most cases, the procedure runs through a national visa application at the German embassy or consulate abroad.

After entering Germany, the child receives a residence permit for family reunification.

Important: Child reunification is not just a formality. The authorities examine carefully whether the family requirements, custody situation and other conditions are fulfilled.

Minority - why the age of the child matters

The age of the child plays a central role. In many cases, it is decisive whether the child is still a minor.

Problems often arise when:

→the child will soon turn 18
→the embassy appointment is only available late
→documents are missing
→the immigration authority does not respond
→the application is filed too late
→the procedure is delayed by requests for additional documents

⚠️ Important: If the child will soon become an adult, immediate action is necessary. In such cases, every month can matter.

Who can apply for child reunification?

The application is usually filed for the child. In practice, the parents prepare the procedure.

Typical situations include:

→both parents live in Germany
→one parent lives in Germany and has sole custody
→one parent lives in Germany, the other parent lives abroad
→the child is to join a parent with a residence permit
→the child is to join a German parent
→the child is to join a protected person
→the child currently lives with grandparents or other relatives
→one parent has died
→custody or consent is unclear

The requirements can differ significantly depending on the situation.

Custody - one of the most common issues

Custody is particularly important in child reunification cases. The authorities want to know who is legally entitled to decide where the child lives.

Key questions include:

→Who has custody?
→Do both parents have joint custody?
→Is there a court decision?
→Is there consent from the other parent?
→Has one parent died?
→Is the other parent unknown or unreachable?
→Was custody effectively regulated abroad?
→Are the documents translated and recognisable?

If only one parent lives in Germany, the embassy often requests consent from the other parent with custody or proof of sole custody.

Consent of the other parent

If the other parent also has custody, consent to the child’s permanent move to Germany is often required.

This consent should clearly show:

→identity of the parent
→identity of the child
→consent to permanent residence in Germany
→consent to visa issuance
→date and signature
→notarisation, where required
→translation, where required
→authenticity and recognisability of the document

It becomes difficult if the other parent refuses, cannot be reached or gives contradictory statements. Then it must be checked whether a court custody decision or another proof is possible.

Birth certificate, passport and identity

The identity of the child and the family relationship must be proven. Documents are therefore essential.

Frequently required documents include:

→child’s birth certificate
→child’s passport
→passport photos
→birth certificates of the parents
→parents’ marriage certificate, if relevant
→divorce judgment, if relevant
→custody decision
→consent of the other parent
→death certificate, if one parent has died
→translations
→apostille or legalisation, where required

⚠️ Important: Foreign documents often require special preparation. A simple copy is often not enough.

Income and housing

Income and housing may also be relevant in child reunification cases. The authority checks whether the child can be cared for in Germany.

Important evidence may include:

→employment contract
→payslips
→proof of child benefit, where relevant
→rental contract
→living space information
→health insurance
→residence permit of the parent
→registration certificate
→proof of other family members
→maintenance obligations

The requirements may differ depending on the parent’s status. The residence title of the parent in Germany should always be checked.

Child reunification to skilled workers

If one parent lives in Germany as a skilled worker, child reunification can often be prepared effectively. For skilled workers, EU Blue Card holders or qualified employees, complete documents are important to avoid unnecessary delay.

Important documents include:

→residence permit of the parent
→employment contract
→payslips
→proof of housing
→child’s birth certificate
→custody documents
→child’s passport
→school documents, if relevant
→planned health insurance

Employers often have an interest in successful family reunification because it supports the skilled worker’s integration and stability in Germany.

Child reunification to protected persons

Special rules apply when the child joins a protected person. The exact protection status must be checked carefully.

Relevant statuses may include:

→asylum status
→refugee status
→subsidiary protection
→deportation ban
→humanitarian residence permit
→deadlines
→special privileges
→current restrictions
→hardship situations

⚠️ Important: In family reunification to protected persons, the rules have changed several times in recent years. The exact residence title and time of application must be checked carefully.

If the child will soon turn 18

If the child will soon become an adult, special urgency exists. Turning 18 can significantly change the legal assessment.

The following should be checked immediately:

→current age of the child
→date of the 18th birthday
→date of application
→available embassy appointments
→complete documents
→possibility of accelerated processing
→legal securing of the application
→documentation of delays
→action against inactivity

In such cases, families should not simply wait for an embassy appointment far in the future.

If the embassy or immigration authority does not respond

Delays are especially stressful in child reunification cases. Children lose time, school years, family closeness and stability.

Typical problems include:

→no embassy appointment
→long waiting time after application
→immigration authority does not respond
→documents are requested repeatedly
→competence is unclear
→custody documents are not accepted
→nothing happens shortly before the child becomes an adult
→embassy and immigration authority refer to each other

In such cases, it should be examined whether a lawyer’s follow-up, a deadline, legal action for failure to act or another court step is possible.

If the child reunification visa is rejected

A rejection must be reviewed immediately. Especially in cases involving children, time can be decisive.

Common reasons for rejection include:

→custody not sufficiently proven
→consent of the other parent missing
→identity unclear
→documents not accepted
→livelihood allegedly not secured
→housing allegedly insufficient
→child has become an adult
→family life is doubted
→parent’s residence title allegedly insufficient
→documents were incomplete

Depending on the case, legal action, a new application or submission of decisive documents may be possible.

Common mistakes in child reunification cases

Typical mistakes include:

→applying too late
→underestimating the child’s age
→not proving custody properly
→not obtaining consent of the other parent
→submitting documents without apostille or legalisation
→forgetting translations
→unclear statements about care of the child
→not proving livelihood
→not proving housing
→not documenting communication with the embassy
→reviewing rejection too late

⚠️ Important: In child reunification cases, time is often the most important factor. Mistakes can cost not only money, but sometimes the legal advantage of the child still being a minor.

FAQ - child reunification Germany

Can my minor child come to Germany?

In many cases, yes. The decisive points are the parent’s residence title in Germany, the child’s age, custody, documents, income and housing.

Is the child’s age important?

Yes. Being a minor can be decisive. If the child will soon turn 18, action should be taken immediately.

Do I need consent from the other parent?

If the other parent has custody, consent or a court decision is often required.

What if the other parent refuses consent?

It must be checked whether a custody decision or another legal proof is possible.

What should I do if the visa was rejected?

The refusal decision must be reviewed immediately. Depending on the case, legal action or a new application with better documents may be possible.

Contact - lawyer for child reunification and family reunification

Do you want to bring your child to Germany? Will your child soon turn 18? Does the embassy request custody documents? Does the other parent refuse consent? Was the visa rejected?

Attorney Tom Beisel reviews child reunification, custody, consent, documents, deadlines, authority communication and legal steps in case of delay or rejection.

→Mobile: +49 172 8974716
→Office: 0201 4517 380
→Email: kanzlei@rechtsanwalt-beisel.de
→Address: Bredeneyer Str. 2b, 45133 Essen

Immigration law representation in German, English and Russian - clear, personal and nationwide.

Child Reunification to Germany - custody, age, consent and visa