Family book

In the period from 1958 to 2008, the family register was a civil status register that was created after every marriage in Germany, on application also for marriages abroad, and continued at the registry office. It contained information about the spouses, the dates of marriage, the use of the names of the spouses, parents and children of the spouses and the termination of the marriage.

The family book has often been confused with the family register, which contains only a privately owned collection of documents (marriage certificates, birth certificates, death certificates). In addition, it has been little used due to lack of awareness.

With the entry into force of the civil status amendment on 01.01.2009, the creation and continuation of family registers has ceased to exist. Instead, the marriage entries in the marriage registers are now continued by the marriage registry offices. The old family books were also handed over to there. Certified copies may be issued from the family books to be continued as marriage entries.

Certified copies from the family book to be continued as a marriage entry are issued by the marriage registry office.