Subsequent certification of a marriage concluded abroad

Prerequisites

• · The marriage was concluded abroad and at least one of the partners has German nationality.
• Neither partner has a current domicile or habitual abode in Germany.

Documents required

• Marriage certificate (marriage certificate) of the marriage concluded abroad, if necessary with authentication by the responsible foreign authority (apostille) or legalization by the German diplomatic mission abroad
• Valid identity card, passport or travel document
• if applicable, certificate of naturalization, certificate of nationality
• if the spouses are born in Germany:
  • certified copies of the birth registers from the registry offices of the places of birth.
• if the spouses are born abroad:
  • the birth certificates, if necessary certified by the competent foreign authority (apostille) or legalized by the German diplomatic mission abroad
• Has a spouse been married before:
  • certified copy from the marriage register of the previous marriage with notice of dissolution.
  • Alternatively or in the case of a previous marriage abroad: Proof of the conclusion and dissolution of all previous marriages - for example marriage certificates, death certificates, all divorce decrees (complete and with a note from the court as to when the judgment became final ("final notice"))
  • if applicable, recognition of the foreign divorce by the President of the Higher Regional Court
• If a spouse has already established a registered civil partnership:
• Evidence of the establishment and dissolution of all civil partnerships
• Translations of all documents in a foreign language by domestically sworn translators
• Additional documents may be required in individual cases.

Please note

no

Deadlines

• A marriage concluded abroad can be recertified. The time of the marriage is irrelevant.


• Only the spouses themselves can apply for certification of the marriage during their lifetime.


• After the death of both spouses, their parents and children are also entitled to apply

Procedure

• A person with German nationality married abroad. The person does not have a place of residence or habitual abode in Germany and submits the application for certification in the marriage register at the competent registry office 1 in Berlin.
• The Registry Office 1 in Berlin examines the application and certifies the marriage if it is convinced, based on the evidence provided, that the marriage has taken place.

Processing time

Depending on the individual case, in Hamburg it can take several weeks.

Fees

• 89.00 EUR Certification of marriage abroad


• EUR 33.00 Declaration of naming if only German law is to be observed


• EUR 57.00 Declaration of naming, if foreign law is also to be observed


• EUR 38.00 if necessary adjustment of names


• EUR 30.00, if necessary, submission of an affidavit


• EUR 12.00 Issuance of a marriage certificate


• EUR 6.00 for each additional marriage certificate applied for at the same time

Legal remedies

Application to AG Hamburg, Sievekingplatz 1, Hamburg

Legal basis

Art. 11 Para. 1 EGBGB

https://dejure.org/gesetze/EGBGB/11.html


Art. 13 Para. 14 EGBGB

https://dejure.org/gesetze/EGBGB/13.html


Art. 17b EGBGB

https://dejure.org/gesetze/EGBGB/17b.html


§ 34 PStG

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstg/__34.html


§ 39 PStG

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstg/__39.html


§ 41 PStG

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstg/__41.html