Register marriage

You can register a marriage:

• persons of legal age

Further requirements:

• A marriage may not be entered into before the age of majority.
• Marriage between relatives in a direct line, for example parents and their children, and between siblings and half-siblings is not permitted. This also applies in principle if the relationship was established through adoption.
• Double marriages are not permitted in Germany. A previous 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 generally first be expressly recognized in Germany in order for it to take effect here. There are exceptions to this principle, particularly in most European Union (EU) countries. A previously established civil partnership must also be dissolved.

You must submit your application:

• 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 registered in Germany:
  • current certified excerpt from the (electronic) register of births or current certified copy from the register of births (in paper form) from the registry office of the place of birth
• if your birth was registered abroad:
  • current birth certificate
• if you were already married or living in a civil partnership, you also need
  • Marriage certificate and final divorce decree or
  • Proof 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 and
  • 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 required. Please bring the following with you:
  • all marriage certificates
  • all final divorce decrees (with facts and reasons for the decision)
• if you have children together as future spouses or if you have custody of children from previous marriages, you also need the following information
  • Birth certificates of the children
• if one of the spouses is from abroad, 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
  • Certificate of no impediment
  • Foreign language certificates

Notes:

For future spouses from countries where certificates of no impediment to marriage are issued, it is advisable to seek advice from the registry office about exemption from the obligation to present a certificate of no impediment to marriage. This is issued by the President of the competent Higher Regional Court. The registrar takes the application and forwards it.

For foreign-language documents, the registry office generally requires complete translations into German, prepared by a translator publicly appointed and sworn in Germany. Foreign documents often also require certification by the competent foreign authority. In such a case, the registry office will draw your attention to this.

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

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