Register marriage

You must apply for registration of the marriage in person at your local registry office.

• To register the marriage, you and your fiancé or fiancée usually go to the relevant registry office together. You will receive all the necessary information there.
• If one of you is unable to attend, the other can register the marriage alone. The registry office requires written authorisation from the partner who is unable to attend.
• If the registry office does not find any obstacles to the marriage, you will be notified that the marriage can take place. The notification will be given either verbally, in writing or electronically.
   

Registry office in whose jurisdiction one of the spouses (fiancées) is domiciled or habitually resident
If domiciled or habitually resident abroad: registry office where the marriage is to take place

• Marriage can only be entered into after reaching the age of majority (at the age of 18).
• Marriage between relatives in a direct line (e.g. parents and their children) and between siblings and half-siblings is not permitted. This also applies in principle if the relationship was established through adoption.
• Double marriages are not permitted in Germany. A previous marriage must have been dissolved by death, divorce or other legally binding court judgement before a new marriage can take place.
• If a previous marriage was divorced abroad, the divorce must generally first be expressly recognised in Germany in order for it to take effect here. There are exceptions to this principle, particularly in most European Union (EU) countries. A previously established civil partnership must also be dissolved.

You must submit your application:

• if you have German citizenship and are entering into your first marriage:
  • valid identity card or passport
• if your birth was notarised in Germany:
  • current certified extract from the (electronic) register of births or current certified copy from the register of births (in paper form) from the registry office of the place of birth
• if your birth was notarised abroad:
  • current birth certificate
• if you were already married or living in a civil partnership, you will also need a certificate:
  • Marriage certificate and final divorce decree or
  • Proof of the establishment and dissolution of the civil partnership or
• if your former partner has died in the meantime:
  • the marriage certificate or
  • proof of the establishment of the civil partnership and
  • the death certificate of the former partner
• If your divorce took place abroad, you should enquire in advance at the registry office whether a recognition procedure is required. Please bring the following with you:
  • all marriage certificates
  • all final divorce judgements (with facts and reasons for the decision)
  • a complete translation by a sworn translator in Germany
• if you and your future spouse have children together or if you have custody of children from previous marriages, you also need
  • Birth certificates of the children
• with a partner from abroad are required:
  • Valid identity card/passport or other proof of identification with photograph
  • Proof of nationality, if this is not evident from the identity card or passport
  • Extended registration certificate from the registration office (not older than 4 weeks)
  • Birth certificate
  • Certificate of no impediment to marriage, if applicable
  • Foreign language certificates

Notes:

For partners from countries in which certificates of no impediment to marriage are issued, it is advisable to seek advice from the registry office about exemption from the obligation to present a certificate of no impediment to marriage. This is issued by the President of the Higher Regional Court. The registrar takes the application and forwards it.

For foreign-language documents, the registry office generally requires complete translations into German, prepared by a publicly appointed and sworn translator in Germany. Foreign documents often also require legalisation by the competent foreign authority. In such a case, the registry office will draw your attention to this.

• further documents:
  • The registry office may request further documents, such as the naturalisation certificate.

• §§ 11 ff. Civil Status Act (PStG)
• §§ 1303 ff. German Civil Code (BGB)
• § Section 28 Ordinance on Civil Status (PStV)

• Contradiction
• Application for a court decision

• Forms: yes
• Online procedure possible: yes, for pre-registration
• Written form required: yes
• Personal appearance required: yes

• Marriage registration
• the place where the marriage is registered does not necessarily have to be the place where the marriage is to take place
• the marriage can take place at any registry office in Germany
• can register a marriage:
  • persons of legal age
• Information from: competent registry office
• Registration must be made in person at the registry office in whose jurisdiction one of the spouses (fiancées) has his or her residence (main or secondary residence) or habitual abode
• responsible:
  • Registry office in whose jurisdiction one of the spouses (fiancées) is domiciled or habitually resident
  • for domicile or habitual residence abroad: registry office where the marriage is to take place