Certification of a marriage abroad by a German registry office

Prerequisites

A marriage concluded abroad can only be entered in the German marriage register if it was legally concluded. In addition, it must not contradict German law.

The subsequent certification of the marriage is possible for:

• German nationals
• Stateless, homeless foreigners or foreign refugees with habitual residence in Germany

Eligible applicants:

• each spouse
• are both deceased:
  • their parents or
  • their children

Documents required

• Marriage certificate (marriage certificate) of the marriage concluded abroad, if necessary with authentication by the competent 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
• Translations of all documents in a foreign language by domestically sworn translators

Other additional documents required:
if the spouses are born in Germany:

• the birth certificates

If the spouses were born abroad:

• the birth certificates certified by the competent foreign authority (apostille) or legalized by the German mission abroad

Has a spouse been married before:

• certified copy from the marriage register of the last 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 / "notice of legal force")
• if necessary, 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

Please note

Since January 1, 2009, certified copies of the family book are no longer issued - the registry office keeps the data in the family book as marriage entries.
Should you require proof, please request a marriage certificate in each case.
If you got married abroad, you can apply to the registry office in your home town to have the marriage subsequently recorded in the German marriage register.

Procedure

For details on the modalities and the documents that the registry office requires from you, please call them in advance.

• Gather the necessary documents and go to the registry office.
• The registrar will check whether certification by a German registry office is possible.
• If the requirements are met, the entry in the marriage register can take place.

If necessary, the registry office will issue you a marriage certificate after the entry in the register has been made.

Processing time

In the case of a personal interview, the certificate will be handed over immediately.

Fees

The fee depends on the nationality of the spouses at the time of marriage.

• Certification of a marriage concluded abroad
  
  
  
  • if both partners are German nationals: EUR 60.00
  
  
  • with foreign nationality
    
    
    
    • a partner: 90.00 euros
    
    
    • both partners: 110.00 euros
    
    
  
  


• Notarization or certification of a declaration, consent or consent to use a name based on family law regulations: 25.00 euros


• Copy of the marriage certificate:
  
  
  
  • one copy: 10.00 euros
  
  
  • each additional copy, if requested at the same time: 5.00 euros
  
  

Legal basis

§§ 34 f. Civil Status Act (PStG)