Recognition of a Child and Registration in Greek Civil Registry and Special Registry Offices
Legal Assistance for Greek Americans in Child Recognition and Registration in Greece
If you are a Greek-American and need to recognize a child and register them in the Greek Civil Registry (Δημοτολόγιο) or the Special Registry Office (Ειδικό Ληξιαρχείο), the process can be complex due to Greek legal and bureaucratic procedures. Whether the child was born in the United States or another country, ensuring legal recognition in Greece is crucial for securing their Greek citizenship and other legal rights.
At E CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC, we specialize in Greek family law and offer expert legal assistance for the recognition of children and their registration in Greece. Our services cover the entire process remotely, so you don’t have to travel to Greece. Contact us at +13474034789 for a virtual consultation to discuss your case in Greek.
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Why Is Child Recognition and Registration Important?
Recognizing a child and registering them in Greece provides them with:
• Greek citizenship and the ability to obtain a Greek passport.
• Legal inheritance rights under Greek law.
• Access to education, healthcare, and social benefits in Greece and the European Union.
• The ability to obtain Greek identification documents.
If a child is not officially recognized by the father, they may not have access to these rights. Similarly, failing to register a child’s birth in Greece can create legal issues for inheritance or dual nationality applications.
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Steps for Child Recognition in Greece
1. Voluntary Child Recognition by the Father
If the father is not listed on the birth certificate, he can voluntarily recognize the child by submitting a notarized declaration in Greece.
Required Documents:
• Official birth certificate of the child (issued in the U.S. or another country, with an Apostille).
• Certified translation into Greek.
• Father’s and mother’s identification documents (passports or Greek IDs).
• Affidavit of paternity, signed by the father before a Greek notary or consulate.
2. Judicial Child Recognition
If the father does not voluntarily recognize the child, a court decision in Greece may be necessary to establish paternity.
Legal Process:
• A lawsuit for child recognition is filed in a Greek court.
• Evidence, such as DNA testing, can be submitted.
• Once the court issues a ruling, the child is legally recognized.
Our Greek family law attorneys handle all court proceedings and ensure a smooth process.
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How to Register a Child’s Birth in the Greek Civil Registry and Special Registry Office
Once a child is recognized, their birth must be registered with the Greek authorities.
1. Registration in the Greek Special Registry Office (Ειδικό Ληξιαρχείο)
For children born outside of Greece, registration is required at the Special Registry Office in Athens.
Required Documents:
• Original U.S. birth certificate, with Apostille and certified translation into Greek.
• Parents’ Greek or foreign passports and identification documents.
• Marriage certificate of parents (if applicable).
• Notarized recognition of the child by the father (if applicable).
Once registered, the child is officially recognized in the Greek legal system.
2. Registration in the Greek Civil Registry (Δημοτολόγιο)
After registration in the Special Registry Office, the child must be registered in the Greek Civil Registry (Δημοτολόγιο) of the municipality where the parent is registered.
Steps:
• Submit the Greek birth certificate from the Special Registry Office.
• Provide a family status certificate from the municipality.
• Ensure correct surname assignment, especially in cases of dual nationality.
Important: If the father is a Greek citizen, the child is automatically eligible for Greek citizenship.
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Why Choose E CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC?
• Experience in Greek family law and civil registry procedures.
• Remote legal assistance—handle everything from the U.S. without traveling.
• Expert guidance on child recognition, birth registration, and Greek citizenship.
• Personalized legal support in Greek.
Contact our law firm E. CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC via email at info@hatzidimitriouvirtuallaw.com or +13474034789 and one of our specialized associates will guide you through your case language of communication, preferably Greek.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does the child recognition and registration process take?
• The entire process can take 1-3 months, depending on the case and required court proceedings.
Can the process be completed without traveling to Greece?
• Yes, we handle everything remotely through a power of attorney (PoA).
What happens if the father refuses to recognize the child?
• A court order can establish paternity, even without the father’s voluntary recognition.
Do both parents have to be Greek citizens for registration in Greece?
• No, if at least one parent is Greek, the child may be eligible for Greek citizenship.
Can I register my child in Greece if they were born in the U.S.?
• Yes, birth registration in Greece is possible through the Special Registry Office.
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Contact Us for Legal Assistance
If you need assistance with child recognition and registration in Greece, contact E CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC for expert legal guidance.
Call us at +13474034789
Email us at info@hatzidimitriouvirtuallaw.com
Schedule a Virtual Consultation
We assist Greek Americans worldwide in handling their legal matters in Greece and Cyprus. Our legal services are provided in Greek.