Marriage Registration of marriages abroad of Germans without domestic residence

  • Service description

    A marriage contracted abroad is recognised here if the regulations applicable in the country of marriage were observed and the marriage was contracted before a legally authorised person. The marriage certificate generally serves as proof of this. If the certificate was not issued in German, a translation is required in many cases. Under certain conditions, you can have the marriage subsequently certified in a German marriage register. There is no obligation to apply for subsequent certification. The subsequent entry in the marriage register has the advantage that the local registry office can issue you with a German marriage certificate.

  • Procedure

    • Submit the application for subsequent certification of the marriage in the marriage register to the relevant registry office.
    • The registry office examines the application and notarises the marriage if it is convinced on the basis of the evidence provided that the marriage has been legally concluded.
    • If required, the registry office will then issue you with a marriage certificate from the marriage register.
  • Responsible office

    The registry office in whose jurisdiction the person entitled to apply last had their place of residence or habitual abode is responsible for notarisation in the case of persons without a place of residence in Germany. If there is no jurisdiction, the registry office I in Berlin will notarise the marriage.

  • Prerequisites

    • The marriage was concluded abroad and at least one of the partners has German citizenship.
  • Which documents are required?

    • Marriage certificate (marriage certificate) of the marriage concluded abroad, if necessary with certification by the competent foreign authority (apostille) or legalisation by the German diplomatic mission abroad
    • valid identity card, passport or travel document
    • Naturalisation certificate, certificate of citizenship, if applicable
    • If the spouses were born in Germany: certified copies of the birth registers from the registry offices of the places of birth.
    • If the spouses were born abroad: the birth certificates with certification by the competent foreign authority (apostille) or legalisation by the German diplomatic mission abroad
    • If one spouse has been married before: certified copy from the marriage register of the last previous marriage with a note of dissolution.
    • Alternatively or in the case of previous marriages abroad: Proof of the conclusion and dissolution of all previous marriages - for example marriage certificates, death certificates, all divorce judgements (complete and with a note from the court stating when the judgement became legally binding ("final judgement"))
    • Recognition of the foreign divorce by the President of the Higher Regional Court, if applicable
    • If a spouse has already established a registered civil partnership:
    • Proof of the establishment and dissolution of all civil partnerships
    • Translations of all documents in foreign languages by sworn translators in Germany
    • Further documents may be required in individual cases, please enquire at the relevant registry office.
  • What fees are incurred?

    Fees are charged according to the state law in whose jurisdiction the competent registry office is located.

  • What deadlines do I have to observe?

    • A marriage entered into abroad can be subsequently notarised in the German marriage register; the date of the marriage is irrelevant.
    • Only the spouses themselves can apply for the marriage to be notarised during their lifetime.
    • After the death of both spouses, their parents and children are also entitled to apply.
  • Processing time

    Depending on the individual case

  • Legal basis

  • Legal remedy

    Application for a court decision at the local court responsible for the registry office.

  • Typing

    2/3
  • Library entry status

    6

Responsible departments

Responsible employees