Notarisation of a marriage abroad by a German registry office

You can also have your marriage contracted abroad subsequently entered in the marriage register. However, there is no obligation.

Duly issued marriage certificates (marriage certificates) from abroad are generally recognised in Germany. There is no obligation to re-certify in a German marriage register.
However, the subsequent entry in the marriage register can be advantageous, because the local registry office can then issue you with a German marriage certificate. Any translations and certifications of the foreign document will thus be omitted in the future.

• if you are resident in Germany: the registry office of the place where you live or habitually reside
• if you reside abroad: Standesamt I in Berlin

Responsible is the registry office of the place where you live or last had your residence or habitually.

If there is no jurisdiction, the registry office I in Berlin is responsible.

• Marriage certificate (marriage certificate) for the marriage contracted abroad, possibly with certification by the competent foreign authority (apostille) or legalisation by the German mission abroad
• valid identity card, passport or travel document
• naturalisation certificate, certificate of nationality, if applicable
• Translations of all documents in a foreign language by sworn translators in Germany

Further additional documents required:

• At the birth of the spouses in Germany:
  • birth certificates
• In case of birth of the spouses abroad:
  • the birth certificates with certification by the competent foreign authority (apostille) or legalisation by the German mission abroad
• Has a spouse ever been married:
  • certified copy from the marriage register of the last marriage marriage with dissolution note
  • alternatively or in the case of a previous marriage abroad: proof of the conclusion and dissolution of all marriages – for example, marriage certificates, death certificates, all divorce decrees (complete and with a note from the court since when the judgment has been final / "legally binding note")
  • if applicable, recognition of the foreign divorce by the President of the Higher Regional Court
• If a spouse had ever entered into a registered civil partnership:
  • Evidence of the establishment and dissolution of all civil partnerships

A marriage contracted abroad can only be entered in the German marriage register if it has been validly concluded. In addition, it may not contradict German law.

The re-certification of the marriage is possible for:

• German citizens
• Stateless, homeless foreigners or foreign refugees habitually resident in Germany

Eligible applicants:

• each spouse
• both died:
  • their parents and
  • their children

Administrative costs regulation for the portfolio of the Ministry of the Interior and for Sport.

Details on the modalities and the documents that the registry office requires from you in detail, please inquire there in advance by telephone.

• Compile the necessary documents and visit the registry office.
• The registrar checks whether certification by a German registry office is possible.
• If the conditions are met, the entry in the marriage register can take place.

If necessary, the registry office will issue you with a marriage certificate after registration has been completed.

If the registry office I in Berlin is responsible, the fee is based on Berlin state law.

for the certification of a marriage contracted abroad, unless the municipality has set a different fee by statute.: Fee 94,00 EUR

for the drawing up of the marriage certificate, unless the municipality has fixed a different fee by statute.: Fee 12,00 EUR

for each additional copy of the marriage certificate issued, unless the municipality has fixed a different fee by statute.: Fee 6,00 EUR

If you got married abroad, you can apply at the registry office of your home town for the marriage to be subsequently certified in the German marriage register.