register marriage

• Registry office in whose area of responsibility one of the parties to the marriage (fiancés) has his or her residence (main or secondary residence) or his or her habitual abode
• If you are resident or habitually resident abroad: the registry office that is to perform the marriage

You can register a marriage:

• adults

Further requirements:

• A marriage may not be entered into before coming of age.
• Marriage between direct relatives, such as parents and their children, and between siblings and half-siblings is not permitted. This generally also applies if the relationship was established through adoption.
• Double marriages are not allowed in Germany. A previously entered into marriage must have been dissolved by death, divorce or other legally binding court judgment before a new marriage can take place.

If a previous marriage was divorced abroad, the divorce must usually first be expressly recognized in Germany in order for it to be effective here. Exceptions to this principle apply primarily to most states in the European Union (EU). A previously established civil partnership must also be dissolved.

When submitting your application you must submit:

• if you have German citizenship and are entering into your first marriage:
  • valid identity card or passport
  • extended registration certificate (not older than 4 weeks)
• if your birth was certified in Germany:
  • Current certified extract from the (electronic) birth register or current certified copy of the birth register (in paper form) from the registry office of the place of birth
• if your birth was certified abroad:
  • current birth certificate
• If you were already married or in a civil partnership, you also need:
  • Marriage certificate and final divorce decree or
  • Evidence of the establishment and dissolution of the civil partnership or
• if you are a widow or widower:
  • the marriage certificate or
  • proof of the establishment of the civil partnership as well
  • the death certificate of the deceased
• If your divorce took place abroad, you should ask the registry office in advance whether a recognition procedure is necessary. Please bring with you:
  • all marriage certificates
  • All legally binding divorce judgments (including facts and reasons for the decision)
• If you as future spouses have children together or are responsible for children from previous marriages, you will also need:
  • children's birth certificates
• If one of the spouses is from abroad, the following are required:
  • valid identity card, passport or other proof of identification
  • Proof of nationality if this is not evident from the identity card or passport
  • extended registration certificate (not older than 4 weeks)
  • birth certificate
  • Marriage Certificate
  • foreign language documents

Hints:

For prospective spouses from countries where marriage certificates are not issued, it is recommended that they seek advice from the registry office regarding exemption from the requirement to submit a marriage certificate. This exemption is granted by the president of the relevant higher regional court. The registrar will accept the application and forward it.

For foreign-language documents, the registry office generally requires complete translations into German, prepared by a publicly appointed and sworn translator in Germany. Foreign documents often also require certification by the relevant foreign authority. In such a case, the registry office will notify you accordingly.

• more documents:
• The registry office may request additional documents, such as the naturalization certificate.

• § 10 Personal Status Act (PStG)
• § 28 f. Personal Status Ordinance (PStV)
• § 1309 - 1310 German Civil Code (BGB)
• § 1314 of the German Civil Code (BGB)
• § 1353 German Civil Code (BGB)
• § 104 of the German Civil Code (BGB)
• § 13 Introductory Act to the Civil Code (EGBGB)

• contradiction
• Application for a court decision

• Marriage registration
• the place where the marriage is registered does not have to be the same place where the marriage is to be concluded
• Marriage can be concluded in any registry office in Germany
• A marriage can be registered by:
  • adults
• Information from: responsible registry office
• Registration must be done in person at the registry office in whose area of responsibility one of the parties to the marriage (fiancés) has his or her place of residence (main or secondary residence) or his or her usual place of residence
• responsible:
  • Registry office in whose area of responsibility one of the parties to the marriage (fiancés) has his or her residence (main or secondary residence) or his or her habitual abode
  • If you are resident or habitually resident abroad: the registry office that is to perform the marriage