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Familienkasse

Familienkasse asks for Nachweise (proof): what you should do

What this letter means

The Familienkasse regularly checks whether you are still entitled to Kindergeld. For children aged 18 and over, it asks for example for certificates from the school, training company or university (Schul-, Ausbildungs- oder Studienbescheinigungen).

If you receive Kindergeld, you must help clarify the facts and report changes without delay. A child aged 18 or over must also cooperate if the Familienkasse asks (§ 68 Abs. 1 EStG).

If the proof is not provided, the Familienkasse cannot establish that the conditions are met and can cancel the Kindergeld. You will then receive an Aufhebungsbescheid (cancellation decision), possibly with a repayment demand.

What to do now

  1. 1Put the deadline from the letter in your calendar.
  2. 2Find out exactly which proof is requested and for which period.
  3. 3Request the certificate from the school, university or training company.
  4. 4Send the proof to the Familienkasse with your Kindergeldnummer (child benefit number) and the name of the child, online or by post.
  5. 5If the certificate takes longer, tell the Familienkasse before the deadline ends. Write in German.

How you can reply

Send the proof within the deadline

Keep a copy and note when and how you sent it.

Ask for more time

If you do not have the certificate yet. Give the reason and say when you will send it.

Einspruch (objection) against a cancellation

If Kindergeld has already been cancelled because the proof was missing, file an Einspruch within one month and send the proof with it.

Common questions

Does my adult child have to do anything?

Yes, if the Familienkasse asks. A child aged 18 or over must help clarify the facts (§ 68 Abs. 1 EStG).

What happens if I do not react?

The Familienkasse then cannot check the entitlement and can cancel the Kindergeld. If money has already been paid for the months concerned, it can demand it back.

Can I send proof online?

Yes, the Bundesagentur für Arbeit offers online services for the Familienkasse. Save the confirmation.

Can I write to the Familienkasse in English?

Write any covering letter in German. German authorities work in German, so a letter in German is the safest way to make sure your reply is understood and processed. The templates (Vorlagen) on this site are in German.

Sources (German law and official pages)

  1. § 68 EStG: Besondere Mitwirkungspflichten
  2. § 70 EStG: Festsetzung und Zahlung des Kindergeldes
  3. Familienkasse: Kindergeld, Anspruch, Höhe, Dauer
  4. Bundesagentur für Arbeit: eServices (Widerspruch und Einspruch online)

Research as of: 10 November 2026