Perform the marriage ceremony

Prerequisites

• You must have registered the planned marriage at the registry office in the place of residence of one of the spouses.
• If neither of the persons getting married lives in Germany, register the marriage at the registry office where you will also be getting married.
• If you are getting married at a different registry office, you will need a certificate of registration of the marriage from the registry office at your place of residence. You will receive this certificate after the verification of the marriage requirements has been completed.

Documents required

In good time beforehand:

• Marriage is registered at the registry office of the primary or secondary residence of one of the parties. In cases where neither party resides in Germany, the marriage is registered at the registry office where the marriage is planned to take place.

On the day of the wedding:

• Confirmation of the appointment from the registry office where the marriage ceremony is to take place,
• Identity card or passport.

Please note

• Marriage ceremonies usually take place at the registry office. You can inquire at your local registry office whether they also offer ceremonies outside the registry office and which locations are suitable. Please also check with your preferred registry office to see if a wedding is possible on a Saturday.
• The registry offices have limited space for your guests. Please inquire about the maximum number of visitors in advance.
• You are not allowed to release pigeons in front of Hamburg's registry offices and town halls.
• Throwing rice or other food items is prohibited inside and outside Hamburg's registry offices and town halls. Please do not set off confetti cannons or similar items.

• In case of an acute, life-threatening illness, please contact your local registry office immediately.

Deadlines

The registration for marriage is valid for exactly 6 months.

Procedure

• They arrive at the registry office approximately twenty minutes before the agreed time on the day of the wedding.
• Your identification documents will be checked by a registrar before the marriage ceremony. If you have witnesses or an interpreter present, their identification documents will also be checked.
• The registrar will meet you in the waiting area and lead you into the marriage room.
• The registrar will ask you whether you wish to enter into marriage with each other.
• They exchange vows one after the other.
• After saying "I do," you can exchange your rings.
• After the marriage ceremony, you will receive back the documents you submitted when registering your marriage. You will also receive your marriage certificates.

Processing time

The marriage ceremony usually takes 20-30 minutes.

Fees

• No fees are charged for the marriage ceremony at the registry office if the registration also took place at that registry office (registry office of residence). Fees may apply if you marry at a different registry office/location than the one where you registered your marriage. The registry offices will provide you with individual information about their fees.


• The fees for a wedding ceremony at a special location outside the registry office can vary. Additional fees apply for weddings on Saturdays, among other occasions.

Legal remedies

Application for instruction of the registry office by the court at the Hamburg District Court, Sievekingplatz 1

Legal basis

Sections 1310 et seq. of the German Civil Code (BGB)


http://www.gesetze-im-inter-net.de/bgb/BJNR001950896.html#BJNR001950896BJNG020802377




§ 14 PStG


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstg/__14.html




§ 29 PStV


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstv/__29.html




Article 13 EGBGB


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgbeg/BJNR006049896.html