Marriage Registration of marriages concluded abroad by Germans without domicile in Germany

If a German has married abroad, the marriage can be certified in the marriage register upon application.

A marriage contracted abroad is recognised here if the regulations in force in the country of marriage have been observed and the marriage was contracted before a legally authorised person. In principle, proof of this applies. the marriage certificate. If the certificate was not issued in German, a translation is required in many cases. Under certain conditions, you can have the marriage certified in a German marriage register. There is no obligation to apply for re-certification. The subsequent entry in the marriage register has the advantage that the local registry office can issue you with a German marriage certificate.

The registry office in whose jurisdiction the person entitled to apply last had his domicile or has his habitual residence is responsible for the certification of persons without a domestic domicile. If there is no jurisdiction thereafter, the registry office I in Berlin certifies the marriage.

• 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
• if applicable, naturalisation certificate, citizenship certificate
• At the birth of the spouses in Germany: certified copies of the birth registers from the registry offices of the places of birth.
• If the spouses are born abroad: birth certificates with certification by the competent foreign authority (apostille) or legalisation by the German mission abroad
• If a spouse has ever been married: certified copy from the marriage register of the last marriage marriage with dissolution notice.
• 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 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
• Translations of all documents in a foreign language by sworn translators in Germany
• In individual cases, further documents may be required, please inquire at the responsible registry office.

• The marriage was contracted abroad and at least one of the partners has German citizenship.

Application for a judicial decision at the district court responsible for the registry office.

• Submit the application for re-certification of the marriage in the marriage register at the competent registry office.
• The registry office examines the application and certifies the marriage if it has become convinced on the basis of the evidence provided that the marriage has been validly concluded.
• If necessary, the registry office will then issue you with a marriage certificate from the marriage register.

• A marriage contracted abroad can be subsequently certified in the German marriage register; the time of the marriage is irrelevant.
• Only the spouses themselves can apply for certification of the marriage during their lifetime.
• After the death of both spouses, their parents and children are also eligible to apply.

Depending on the individual case

There are fees according to the state law, in whose area of responsibility the competent registry office is located.