Apply for a civil partnership certificate

Do you need a civil partnership certificate? You can obtain your civil partnership certificate from the registry office in whose area of responsibility the civil partnership was established. The registry office issues them from the civil partnership register.

You can apply for a civil partnership certificate at the registry office. For this purpose, please contact the registry office that has certified the establishment of the civil partnership.
The civil partnership certificate proves the establishment of a civil partnership and contains the first and last names at the time of establishment and at the time of issue, the place and date of birth of the life partners and the place and date of establishment of the civil partnership as well as the information on the religious community of the life partners.

You can request a civil partnership certificate at any time from the registry office in whose area of responsibility you have established the civil partnership.

You can obtain the civil partnership certificate in the following forms:

• Civil partnership certificate
• Certified printout from the civil partnership register

A certified printout from the civil partnership register reflects all the data entered by the registry office in connection with the establishment of the civil partnership.

You will receive the certificate, including any marginal remarks, either as

• new printout from the electronic register (if already kept at your registry office) or
• as a copy or verbatim copy of the civil partnership entry from the civil partnership register.

In addition to the information, the printout shall also contain subsequent amendments, such as, where appropriate, dissolution notices
 

The registry office,

• before which the civil partnership was established, or
• which has certified a civil partnership established abroad.

To apply for a civil partnership certificate, you need:

• Your identity card or passport (a copy if you apply in writing, you must authenticate yourself electronically online with the new identity card)
• in case of application or collection by a representative: written power of attorney of the entitled person, his identity card or passport and the identity card or passport of the representative
• proof of their legal interest for other persons
 

Forms/online services available: Yes
Written form required: No
Informal application possible: No
Personal appearance required: No
 

Civil partnership certificates contain personal data, so their issuance is subject to data protection restrictions.
You are entitled to apply under the following conditions:
• You are at least 16 years old
• You are one of the life partners to whom the document is to refer
• You are the parents of your life partners
• You are a child of your life partners
•    
Other persons, including close relatives such as siblings, aunts and uncles, only receive a certificate if they can credibly demonstrate a legal interest (for example, by writing from the probate court).
If the civil partnership was established abroad, you must first have it certified in Germany.
 

Instruction by the civil register court pursuant to § 49 PStG
 

Personal application:

The personal application is made as follows:

• For a personal application, an appointment at the registry office may be required.
• You will need to present your identity card or passport.
• You pay the fee directly when applying at the registry office.

In addition to yourself, a person you trust may also order and pick up the certificate for you. In addition to a written power of attorney, you will present your identity card or passport (original or copy) and your own identity card or passport.
 
Application by post:

The written application is made as follows:

• Send an informal letter to the competent registry office with the request to issue you with a civil partnership certificate.
• Your letter should contain the following information:
  • Surname, first name
  • Your registration address
  • Place and date of establishment of the civil partnership
  • if known: registry office and certification number
  • the reason for the application
  • if applicable, further evidence, e.g. for legal interest
• Attach a copy of your identity card or passport to the letter.
• You will then receive a fee notice and the civil partnership certificate.

 
Online application:
You can also apply for the exhibition online and will then receive the civil partnership certificate by post.
 

The processing time is

The costs vary depending on the state. Your local registry office will be happy to provide you with information.

• From 1 October 2017, same-sex couples will also be able to marry; the establishment of a civil partnership is no longer possible from this point in time.
• If the civil status data of the life partners change, for example due to a name change or a dissolution of the civil partnership, the civil partnership entry is supplemented by a subsequent certification. Upon request, a new civil partnership certificate may be issued.