Notification of a marriage contracted abroad
If German nationals have entered into a marriage or civil partnership abroad, they can have this marriage or civil partnership subsequently certified in Germany.
Course description
Foreign marriage and civil partnership certificates are subject to the free assessment of evidence by German authorities and courts. The regulations for marriage are similar in most countries. Civil partnerships, on the other hand, are regulated very differently. It is therefore difficult for many authorities to assess the legal consequences of a civil partnership entered into abroad, and problems can also arise if the name of the parties is incorrectly stated in a foreign document from the perspective of German law.
In this case, it makes sense to have the marriage/ civil partnership re-certified at the German registry office. All data will be checked and, if necessary, any missing declarations regarding the married name will be made up, and marriage/partnership certificates will be issued from the marriage/partnership register created on application, which are conclusive for and against anyone in Germany.
However, there is no obligation for subsequent notarisation.
A proper foreign marriage or civil partnership certificate is considered proof of marriage/partnership. In the case of a civil partnership, however, its effect for German law must be checked on a case-by-case basis. A subsequent certification in Germany is possible on request.
Prerequisites
After marrying abroad, you must have your marital status changed in the register of residents. The Citizens Office is responsible for this.
The following information from the registry office is aimed at German nationals and equivalent persons: upon request, your marriage or civil partnership concluded abroad can be entered in the German civil status register. This is particularly useful if your name or other details are not entered correctly in the foreign certificate. You will then receive a German marriage or civil partnership certificate and the application is admissible if at least one of the two parties has German citizenship. The same applies to stateless persons, homeless foreigners and foreign refugees.
Spouses/partners are eligible to apply. If both are already deceased, their parents and children.
Required documents
Please use our contact form to submit your documents in advance. These can be
- Birth certificate of the spouses/partners
- Foreign marriage / civil partnership certificate
- Court order on the dissolution of the marriage/ civil partnership
- Other documents relating to individual cases
- Foreign-language documents are authorised in multilingual form or together with a translation by a publicly appointed and sworn translator
Questions & Answers
- If you live in Germany, the registry office at your place of residence is responsible.
- If you live abroad, the registry office at your last place of residence in Germany is responsible.
- If you have never lived in Germany, the registry office I in Berlin is responsible.
If you live abroad, you can also submit the application to the German consular mission. From there it will be forwarded to the responsible registry office.
Legal basis
§ 34 PStG