School absence notes, leave requests and childcare claims in Germany
German schools are governed by the law of each of the 16 Länder; even the cut-off date for starting school varies between 30 June and 30 September. Each Land also decides how an absence is excused. In North Rhine-Westphalia parents tell the school at once and give the reason in writing; in Baden-Württemberg the school must be told by the second day, and if that was not in writing, a written note follows within three days. The documents are in German, and each one's page describes it in English. The absence note gives the days and reason, with no diagnosis. An absence known in advance calls for a request for leave from lessons (Beurlaubung); who decides and how early to apply is again Land law. Unexcused absence, including stretching the holidays, can be fined under Land law.
The right to a childcare place, by contrast, is federal law. From the first birthday a child has a right to a place in a nursery (Kita) or with a childminder (§ 24 of Book VIII of the Social Code), and Land law may require parents to tell the youth welfare office (Jugendamt) a set time ahead. Since 1 August 2026, children starting Year 1 also have a right to eight hours of all-day care on weekdays, extended to all four primary years by 2029/2030; it gives no right to a free place or to a particular kind of care. If the Jugendamt finds no place despite timely notice, parents can recover lost earnings (Federal Court of Justice, 20 October 2016, III ZR 278/15), which is why the claim to a childcare place is dated and asks for confirmation of receipt. Primary school registration uses the school's own form.
A certificate of school attendance confirms that a child attends, for example for the family benefits office; if that office has its own form, the school fills in that one. A replacement certificate comes from the school, or after its closure from the school that keeps its records or its operator's school administration; in Brandenburg the school offices use their own form. Adjustments for a disability or impairment (Nachteilsausgleich) change the conditions of an exam, not the standard, and are applied for in good time with a medical or specialist statement on how the impairment affects the candidate: at school under the Land's rules (application to the school), at university under exam regulations that must take disabled students' needs into account (application to the exam board).
The documents
7 forms available to fill out or download.
Application for exam adjustments at university for a disability or chronic illness (Germany)
The application to a German university's examination board for exam adjustments (Nachteilsausgleich) for a student with a disability or chronic illness: more time, breaks, a separate room, technical aids or another form of exam, without lowering the standard. Exam regulations must take the needs of disabled students into account (§ 16, fourth sentence, of the German Higher Education Framework Act, HRG). It gives the student number, the programme, the exams concerned, how the impairment affects them and the adjustments requested, with a medical certificate enclosed. If your university has its own form, use it or attach this letter. In German.
Note excusing a pupil's absence from school (Germany)
The written note by which parents — or pupils who are of age — excuse an absence from lessons to the class teacher in Germany: with name and class, the days missed, the reason without a diagnosis and the day the school was told. For absences through illness, a medical appointment that could not be moved or an urgent family matter. When and how an absence must be excused is set by each Land's school law: in North Rhine-Westphalia at once and in writing; in Baden-Württemberg the school must be told by the second day and, if that was not in writing, the written note follows within three days. In German, ready to print and sign.
Application for adjustments at school for a pupil's disability or impairment (Germany)
The application to a school's head in Germany for adjustments (Nachteilsausgleich) for a pupil with a disability, a chronic illness or an impairment such as dyslexia: adapted conditions for tests and exams — more time, breaks, a separate room or aids — without lowering the standard expected. It describes how the impairment affects the pupil's work, the adjustments requested and the period, and encloses a medical or specialist report. Each Land makes its own rules; you choose the Land on the form. Apply in good time before the exams. In German, ready to print, sign and hand in.
Request for a certificate of school attendance (Germany)
The letter to a school office in Germany by which parents, or pupils who are of age, ask for a certificate of attendance (Schulbescheinigung) — the confirmation that a child attends the school, as needed for example for child benefit for a child over 18, for education grants or for a pupil's travel pass. It gives the pupil's name, date of birth, class and school year, the office the certificate is for, the number of copies and the date it is needed by, and asks the school to complete that office's own form if one is enclosed. In German, ready to print, sign and hand in.
Request for a pupil's leave of absence from lessons (Germany)
The written request to a school's head in Germany to grant a pupil leave from lessons for an important reason, such as a family event that cannot be moved. It gives the name, class, dates, reason and evidence, states that the leave is not for extending the holidays, and asks for a written decision before it starts. Each Land's school law decides who grants leave and how early to apply; you choose the Land on the form. Missing school without permission to extend the holidays can lead to a fine. In German, ready to print, sign and hand in.
Request for a replacement school certificate (Germany)
The letter asking your former school in Germany for a replacement (Zweitschrift) of a lost or damaged certificate, such as the Abitur certificate or a school-leaving certificate. It names the certificate, the year it was issued, the years at the school and your name at the time, asks for your present name after a change of name, and asks about any fee beforehand. If the school has closed, it goes to the school that keeps its records or to the school administration of its operator. Each Land sets its own fees and procedure; in Brandenburg the school offices take applications on their own form. In German, ready to print, sign and send.
Claim to a childcare place: nursery or all-day primary care (Germany)
The letter to the local youth welfare office (Jugendamt) by which parents in Germany claim their child's right to a childcare place under § 24 of Book VIII of the German Social Code (SGB VIII): a nursery place or a childminder from the first birthday and — new since 1 August 2026 — all-day care for children who start Year 1 from the 2026/2027 school year. It gives the start date, the hours needed and the places already tried, and asks for confirmation of receipt and a written decision. The dated letter is the proof that counts if no place is found. In German, ready to print, sign and hand in.