A declaration recognizing maternity of a child can be certified at any registry office, youth welfare office, or notary's office.

A declaration of maternity only applies in cases where the parentage of a child of unmarried parents is determined by the law of the country in which the child has its habitual residence or, alternatively, by the law of the mother's country of origin.

If the foreign law of the mother's or father's country of origin requires recognition of maternity, this is certified publicly. The same rules apply as for recognition of paternity.