Are you planning to get married or register your marriage in Germany? Whether it is you or your partner who is an expat, it doesn’t matter — getting married in Germany can be a wonderfully romantic experience. But before you tie the knot, you need to get started with the legal formalities as soon as possible.
These legal procedures can take several months, depending on the number of pending legal issues, previous marriage registrations, or your status as an expat. Your first step is to check with your local registry office, the ‘Standesamt’, to find out exactly what documents are needed to register your marriage in Germany. The necessary documents and required documents may vary depending on your individual circumstances, such as nationality or previous marital status. It is important to bring all the necessary documents to the registration office to avoid any delays in the process. All foreign documents must be translated and authenticated by the authorities in your home country and recognized by the German embassy. You should contact the registration office in advance to check consultation hours and to make an appointment for marriage registration. Planning in advance helps ensure you have all the required documents ready for your appointment.
Note: You can register your marriage at the earliest six months before the planned wedding date, and the registration is only valid for six months.
Simple procedure for getting married in Germany
Getting married in Germany is typically a straightforward process of submitting the required documents to your local registry office. This process can become more complicated if you or your partner is not a resident of the EU. In Germany, only the registry office can perform a legally binding marriage ceremony. The first step to register your marriage in Germany is to submit an application at the registry office. You should start this process at least several months before your planned wedding date. Once you have submitted the application, you will need to go through the documentation process. You will also need to pay fees for marriage registration, which vary by federal state and typically range from €40 to €70, with additional fees for services like document verification and notarization. Charges for registering a marriage usually range from €50 to €100 on weekdays, and in Munich, the fee is around €300. If you want to marry on a Saturday, you can expect higher costs than on weekdays.
You need to make an appointment for the marriage registration and for the marriage ceremony itself. Many registry offices offer an online service where you can complete the online form together, choose your preferred date for the marriage, and reserve your date if the registry office has an online appointment system. You can also pre-order marriage certificates in several languages when registering your marriage.
In this blog, you will get full details on the legal framework for a marriage in Germany.
Eligibility to get married in Germany
Before you can register your marriage in Germany, both spouses must meet specific eligibility requirements set out by German law. To get married, each partner must be at least 18 years old and legally competent, meaning you are able to make decisions independently and understand the legal implications of marriage. German law also prohibits marriage between close relatives, whether by blood or adoption, to ensure the union is legally valid.
If you are a German citizen or hold a secondary residence in Germany, you are eligible to register your marriage at the relevant registry office, regardless of where your primary residence is located. The registry office will verify that both parties fulfill all legal conditions before allowing the marriage to be entered into the marriage register. Meeting these eligibility criteria is the first step to ensure your marriage is recognized under German law and that you can proceed with the official registration process.
Mandatory standard documents to register your marriage in Germany
If you intend to have a wedding at a church or a synagogue, you must first visit the ‘Standesamt’ with the following documents:
● Both persons, you and your partner, must be present at the ‘Standesamt’.
● Each partner has to provide their birth certificate (original documents required).
● A valid passport and residence permit of both of you (original documents required).
● A comprehensive registration certificate, issued less than 14 days before the appointment (original document required).
● If either partner has been previously married, you must provide the original documents of the marriage certificate from the last marriage and a legally binding divorce decree.
● If a previous partner is deceased, you must provide the original death certificate.
● Documentation for any joint children, such as birth certificates or acknowledgment of paternity (original documents required).
● Information about parents, especially for verifying civil status and legal eligibility (original documents required).
● All the necessary documents required for marriage or civil partnership must be submitted, including any forms or certifications as specified by the responsible registry office.
● If you wish to convert an existing registered civil partnership into a marriage, this can be done at the registry office.
● If you were married abroad or are registering a marriage abroad, you must provide all required documents for recognition in Germany. The process for those married abroad or registering a marriage abroad may require official translations and legalizations.
● For German citizens, registration is only possible without an appointment if both individuals are German citizens born in Germany. German citizenship can affect the registration process and eligibility for certain procedures.
● The responsible registry office is determined by your place of residence, and you must provide documentation of your civil status and marital status.
● In many countries, the required documents may not be issued or may be provided in an inadequate form, which can complicate the process.
● A completely filled marriage application form (original document required).
● Proof of nationality of partner or German identity card, if your partner is a German resident (original document required).
● A declaration form stating that both of you are single (original document required).
● Financial statements from both parties (original documents required).
● A certificate of no impediment (original document required).
If you are a recognized refugee or asylum seeker, you may apply for exemption from the requirement of a certificate of no impediment at the relevant Higher Regional Court.
The civil marriage ceremony must be conducted in German, and if necessary, a certified interpreter should be present.
Witnesses for civil marriages in Germany are no longer mandatory, but up to two may be chosen.
A civil ceremony at the Standesamt is the only legally binding form of marriage in Germany.
For further information about required documents and procedures, please consult the official resources or contact your local registry office.
If you or your partner is a foreigner
If either you or your partner is a foreign national, you may face some additional procedures to register your marriage in Germany. Foreign documents must be translated, authenticated, and recognised by the German authorities before submission. You may be required to submit documents to a higher regional court to verify your partner’s legal status. If you are planning to return to your home country one day, it is worth considering the legal implications of your partner’s status. As part of this process, your partner may be checked for matters such as criminal records, nationality, and medical conditions.
If you marry a person with German citizenship, you are entitled to a residence permit (visa) for three years, and if your partner has a German residence permit, you are also entitled to a residence permit for three years if you can prove basic knowledge of the German language. After three years of legal residence in Germany and two years of marriage, you can apply for German citizenship, provided all other requirements are met. If marriage is the sole justification for your right of residence, the authorities may examine the marriage and its motives more thoroughly. If you do not have German citizenship, you will often have to obtain a new residence permit after a divorce or the death of your partner.
There is a comprehensive online service for marriage registration, which allows you to register marriages entered abroad and submit foreign documents through the online platform. This service streamlines the process, making it easier to complete forms, pay fees, and schedule appointments at the registry office.
Thereafter, you will need to go through the documentation steps as per your consultant’s advice.
In case of same gender marriage
Germany became the 14th European country to legalise same-sex marriage, with the change taking effect on 1 October 2017. On 30 June 2017, a bill was passed at the ‘Bundestag’, the federal parliament of Germany. While the parliament avoided the word “marriage” in the law passed in 2001, both marriage and civil partnership are now recognised legal unions. Any person, regardless of gender, can enter into a marriage or civil partnership under German law. If you have an existing registered civil partnership, you can convert it into a marriage at the registry office. Same-sex partners must meet the same requirements as other couples and enjoy the same rights and obligations as those in a heterosexual marriage. Joint children of the couple have the same legal rights and obligations as in heterosexual marriages.
Conclusion
Marriage is one of life’s most meaningful commitments. We hope this guide has given you a clear picture of what to expect when registering your marriage in Germany. Follow the steps outlined here, prepare your documents in advance, and you will be well on your way to a beautiful and legally recognised marriage in Germany. We wish you and your partner a wonderful new beginning together in Germany.