Apply for a marriage certificate

Personal application:
The personal application is made as follows:

• An appointment at the registry office may be required for a personal application.
• You must present your identity card or passport.
• You pay the fee directly at the registry office when you apply.

In addition to yourself, a person you trust may also order and collect the certificate on your behalf. In addition to a written authorisation, they must present your identity card or passport (original or copy) and their own identity card or passport.

Application by post:
The written application is made as follows:

• Send an informal letter to the relevant registry office asking them to issue you with a marriage certificate.
• Your letter should contain the following information:
  • Surname, first name
  • Your registration address
  • Place and date of the marriage
  • if known: Registry office and notarisation number
  • the reason for the application
  • If necessary, further evidence, e.g. for the legal interest
• Enclose a copy of your identity card or passport with the letter.
• You will then receive a fee notice and the marriage certificate.

 
Online application:
You can also apply online and the marriage certificate will then be sent to you by post.

 

Marriage certificates contain personal data, so their issue is subject to data protection restrictions.
You are authorised to apply under the following conditions:

• You are at least 16 years old
• You are the spouse to whom the deed is to refer
• They are the parents of the spouses
• You are a child of the spouses

Other persons, including close relatives such as siblings, aunts and uncles, will only receive a certificate if they can credibly demonstrate a legal interest (e.g. by means of a letter from the probate court).
If the marriage was concluded abroad, you must first have it certified in a marriage register in Germany.
 

To apply for a marriage certificate you need:

• Your identity card or passport (a copy if you apply in writing, online you must authenticate yourself electronically with the new identity card)
• if the application or collection is made by a representative: written authorisation from the authorised person, their identity card or passport and the identity card or passport of the representative
• for other persons a proof of their legal interest
   

• §§ Sections 55-68 of the Civil Status Act (PStG)
• § Section 55 Ordinance on the Implementation of the Civil Status Act (PStV)

  Act on the Convention of 8 September 1976 on the issue of multilingual extracts from civil status records

Instruction by the civil status court according to § 49 PStG
 

Forms/online services available: Yes
Written form required: No
Informal application possible: No
Personal appearance required: No
 

If the personal details of the spouse change, for example due to a change of name or a divorce, the marriage entry is supplemented by a subsequent notarisation. A new marriage certificate can be issued on request.

• Information from the Federal Ministry of the Interior on "Personal status law"

• Marriage certificate issue
• The marriage certificate proves the marriage of two people
• it contains:
  • the first names and surnames of the spouses at the time of marriage and at the time of issue
  • Place and date of birth of the spouses
  • Place and date of the marriage
  • If applicable, further details from the register, such as dissolution of marriage due to divorce or death
• Responsible:
  • The registry office in whose jurisdiction the marriage took place.
  • If the marriage was concluded abroad and subsequently notarised in Germany, the registry office that subsequently notarised the marriage issues the marriage certificate.