register marriage

Prerequisites

• They are of legal age.
• They are legally competent.
• They are present in person.
• They are not directly related to each other.
• You are not allowed to marry your siblings or half-siblings. Even if the relationship is based on adoption, marriage is still prohibited.
• You must not be previously married. Any previous marriage must be dissolved. If you were divorced abroad, the divorce must, in many cases, be recognized in Germany beforehand.
• Even if you are in a registered civil partnership, this must be dissolved before marriage, unless you wish to convert your existing civil partnership into a marriage.

Documents required

• If you wish to register your marriage alone:
  • Form "For the registration of marriage" completed by both partners with written authorization from the absent partner.
• If at least one person in your group does not hold German citizenship, first consult the registry office regarding the required documents and the procedure.
• If you hold German citizenship 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
  • A current certificate of residence or an extended registration certificate stating marital status. This is also called a certificate of single status. For persons registered in Hamburg, the registry office consults the residents' register when registering the marriage.
• If you have ever been married or in a civil partnership:
  • Marriage certificate with dissolution notice or marriage certificate and legally valid divorce decree
• Evidence of the establishment and dissolution of the civil partnership
• If your former partner has since passed away:
  • Marriage certificate with dissolution notice or marriage certificate with death certificate of the former partner
  • Proof of the establishment of the civil partnership with a dissolution notice or civil partnership certificate with the death certificate of the former partner.

• If you are bringing children from a previous relationship into the marriage, you will also need:
  • Birth certificates of the children (if applicable, with acknowledgment of paternity and declaration of custody)

• In the case of marriages with an international element:
  • In case of marriage or divorce abroad:
  • all marriage certificates
  • all legally valid divorce decrees/divorce certificates
  • Complete translation by a sworn translator in Germany
• If you do not have German citizenship:
  • valid identity card or passport or other proof of identification
  • Proof of nationality if it is not evident from the identity card or passport
  • Certificate of residence from the registration office (not older than 4 weeks)
  • Birth certificate
  • Certificate of no impediments to marriage (case-specific consultation required)
  • Certificate of marital status
  • Complete translation by a sworn translator in Germany

• If you do not have German citizenship by birth, you will also need:
  • Certificate of nationality or naturalization certificate (the naturalization certificates of the parents may also be accepted as proof of naturalization).

Please note

• When registering for marriage, you can decide which surname you wish to use after marriage. The registry office will advise you on this.
• If your partner's home country does not issue a certificate of no impediment to marriage, seek advice from the registry office. They may be exempt from the requirement to submit such a certificate.
• For documents in another language, the registry office requires a complete translation into German. This must be done by a translator sworn in Germany. Foreign documents often also need to be authenticated by an authority (apostille/legalization).
• A civil wedding ceremony has nothing to do with a church wedding.
• You don't need witnesses, but you can choose 1 or 2 people to be witnesses.
• Check with your preferred registry office beforehand to see if a marriage ceremony is possible on your desired date.
• Not every registry office in Hamburg performs marriage ceremonies every day.
• Some registry offices also offer appointments on Saturdays.
  

Deadlines

After you have successfully registered your intention to marry, you can get married within 6 months.


The marriage must then be registered again.


You can register your marriage no earlier than 6 months before the desired date.

Procedure

• You apply for marriage in person at your local registry office.
• The registry office will review your application and documents.
• It may request further documents or information from you if necessary.
• The registry office will decide on your application and inform you of the result.

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 €74.50.


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 instruction from the registry office

Legal basis

Sections 11-13 of the Civil Status Act (PStG )


Section 28 of the Civil Status Ordinance (PStG)


Sections 1303 et seq. of the German Civil Code (BGB)


Section 13 of the Introductory Act to the Civil Code (BGBEG)