Identity document
Other forms of officially accepted identification include the driver's license and the birth certificate. However, these are accepted only in limited circumstances and cannot take the place of the ID Card in most cases. The ID Card is mandatory for dealing with government institutions, banks or currency exchange shops. A valid passport may also be accepted, but usually only for foreigners.
Genealogical certificate
The genealogical certificate ("Abstammungsurkunde") was a civil status certificate under German law to prove the birth of a child and it differs slightly from a birth certificate.