register marriage

Prerequisites

To register a marriage you must be at least 18 years old.
If you get married, you cannot be related to each other if you are in the direct line, for example siblings or half-siblings.
This also applies if the relationship arose through adoption.
You must not be married.

Documents required

If you are a German citizen and are entering into your first marriage, you will need the following documents:

• valid identity card or passport
• current certified extract from the birth register or certified copy of the birth certificate from the registry office of your place of birth

If you were born abroad:

• current birth certificate

If you have been married/partnered before:

• Marriage certificate and legally binding divorce decree or
• Evidence of the establishment and dissolution of the civil partnership

If your former partner has since died:

• Marriage certificate or
• Proof of the establishment of the civil partnership
• Death certificate of the former partner

In case of marriage/divorce abroad:

• all marriage certificates
• all legally binding divorce decrees (including facts and reasons for the decision)
• full translation by a sworn translator in Germany

If you bring children into the marriage, you will also need:

• Children's birth certificates

If your partner comes from abroad, you will need:

• valid identity 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 authority (not older than 4 weeks)
• birth certificate
• Certificate of no capacity to marry (case-specific advice required)
• Certificate of marital status

Please note

• The civil wedding has nothing to do with the church wedding.
• You do not need witnesses, but you can choose 1 or 2 people to be your witnesses.
• When registering for marriage, you can decide which surname you want to use in the marriage. The registry office will advise you on this.
• Bigamy marriages are not permitted in Germany.
• Your previous marriage must end through death, divorce, or a final court order before you can remarry.
• If your marriage was divorced abroad, the divorce may first need to be recognized in Germany. You can find out which countries this applies to through case-specific consultation at the registry office.
• A previous civil partnership must also be dissolved.
• If your partner's home country doesn't issue a certificate of capacity to marry, consult the registry office. Through the registry office, you can apply for an exemption, which will be decided by the President of the Higher Regional Court.
• For documents in another language, the registry office requires a full translation into German. This must be done by a sworn translator in Germany. Foreign documents often also require a legalization (apostille) by an authority.

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 apply for marriage in person at your local registry office.
• If one of you is unable to attend, the other can register the marriage alone.
• The registry office requires written authorization from the partner who is unable to attend.
• The responsible registry office will examine your application and documents.
• If necessary, she will request further documents or information from you.
• The responsible registry office will decide on your application.
• You will receive notification from the responsible registry office as to whether the marriage can take place.
• The notification shall be made verbally, in writing or electronically.

Processing time

The processing time of the application varies depending on the registry office and the individual case.

Fees

The cost of registering a marriage is at least EUR 68.00.


Additional costs may apply for certificates, name declarations, marriages outside the registry office, marriages at another registry office, or marriages on Saturdays.

Legal remedies

Application for a court decision and instructions from the registry office

Legal basis

§ 11-13 Civil Status Act (PStG )

§ 28 Civil Status Ordinance (PStG)

§§ 1303 ff. German Civil Code (BGB)

Section 13 Introductory Act to the Civil Code (BGBEG)