register marriage

Prerequisites

• You must be of legal age to register and enter into marriage.
• They must not be related to each other in a straight line (e.g. parents and their children).
• They must not be siblings or half-siblings. This also applies if the family relationship was established through adoption.
• You must not already be married.

Documents required

When applying, you must submit:

• if you have German citizenship and are getting married for the first time:
  • valid identity card or passport
  • Residence certificate from the registration office (not older than 4 weeks)
• if your birth was certified in Germany:
  • Current certified excerpt from the (electronic) birth register or current certified copy from the birth register (in paper form) from the registry office at the place of birth
• if your birth was certified abroad:
  • current birth certificate
• if you were already married or in a civil partnership, you also need:
  • Marriage certificate and final divorce decree or
  • Evidence of the establishment and dissolution of the civil partnership or
• if your former partner has since passed away:
  • the marriage certificate with entry of death or
  • proof of the establishment of the civil partnership as well as
  • the death certificate of the former partner
• If your divorce took place abroad, you should inquire in advance at the registry office whether a recognition procedure is necessary. Please bring with you:
  • all marriage certificates
  • All legally binding divorce judgments (including facts and reasons for the decision)
  • a complete translation by a domestically sworn translator of documents
• if you have children with your future spouse:
  • children's birth certificates
• with a partner from abroad are required:
  • valid ID card/passport or other proof of identification
  • Proof of nationality if this is not evident from the identity card or passport
  • Residence certificate from the registration office (not older than 4 weeks)
  • birth certificate
  • Certificate of no impediment to marry, if the home country issues it
  • Foreign language documents
• more documents:
  • The registry office may request additional documents, such as the naturalization certificate.

Please note

• Each application is individual and requires appropriate advice. The responsible registry office in Hamburg will be happy to advise you, in particular with regard to the documents to be submitted and the name.
• Double marriages are not allowed in Germany. A previously entered into marriage must have been dissolved by death, divorce or other legally binding court judgment before entering into a new marriage.
• If a previous marriage was divorced abroad, the divorce usually has to be recognized in Germany before it can take effect here. Exceptions to this principle apply primarily to most countries in the European Union (EU). A previously established civil partnership must also be dissolved.
• For partners from countries in which no certificates of marital status are issued, it is advisable to seek advice from the registry office about the exemption from the obligation to present a certificate of marital status. This is granted by the President of the Higher Regional Court. The registry office accepts the application and forwards it on.
• For documents in a foreign language, the registry office generally requires complete translations into German, made by a translator who is publicly appointed and sworn in Germany. Foreign documents often also require authentication by the competent foreign authority (apostille). In such a case, the registry office will draw your attention to this.

Deadlines

If the registrar determines after completing the examination that the requirements for marriage are met, you can get married within 6 months. After that, the marriage must be registered again.

Procedure

• You can apply to register your marriage in person or in writing at your local registry office.
• You will receive the necessary information about the process of registering the marriage by telephone or email from your responsible registry office. The necessary forms will be sent to you if necessary.
• If one of you is prevented, the other can register the marriage alone. The registry office requires the written power of attorney from the partner who is unable to attend.
• If the registry office does not find any obstacles to the marriage, you will be informed that the marriage can take place. The notification will be made either verbally, in writing or electronically.
• An appointment can be made.

• Forms available: Yes
• Written form required: Yes
• Informal application possible: No
• Personal appearance required: No

Processing time

• The processing of the application takes up to 4 weeks, depending on the registry office and the individual case.

Fees

EUR 54 plus documents and any other fees for e.g. name declarations, marriages outside the registry office or marriages on Saturdays.

Legal remedies

• contradiction


• Application for a court decision at the District Court of Hamburg, Sievekingplatz 1, Hamburg

Legal basis

• § 11 Civil Status Act (PStG)
  https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstg/__11.html


• §§ 1303 ff. Civil Code (BGB)
  https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/BJNR001950896.html#BJNR001950896BJNG020402377