Marriage Certificate and Marriage — Civil Registry Marriage in Germany

Getting Married in Germany — the Legal Framework

In Germany, only civil registry marriage (Eheschließung) is legally valid. Church, religious, or traditional ceremonies have no legal effect — they are a private celebration that can take place additionally.

The marriage is performed by the civil registry office (Standesamt). The competent office is the Standesamt of the place of residence of one of the two partners.

Prerequisites

General Prerequisites

• Both partners must be of legal age (18 years old)
• Both must be unmarried (no existing marriage or registered civil partnership)
• No close family relationship (siblings, parent-child)
• Free will — the marriage must be entered into voluntarily (forced marriages are forbidden and punishable)

Special Considerations for Foreigners

If one or both partners do not have German citizenship, additional rules apply:

1. Certificate of Marital Capacity (Ehefähigkeitszeugnis) — a document from your home country confirming that you are allowed to marry under the law of your country. Not all countries issue this certificate — in this case, you can apply for an exemption from the Higher Regional Court (Oberlandesgericht).

2. Residence Status — you do not need a specific residence status to marry in Germany. You can marry with a visa, toleration, or permission. The Standesamt cannot refuse to perform the marriage because of your residence status.

3. Legalization/Apostille — Foreign documents often need to be provided with an Apostille or legalization and translated into German (certified translation).

What Documents Do I Need?

German Citizens

• ID card or passport
• Current birth certificate (no older than 6 months, request from the Standesamt of your place of birth)
• Certificate of residence/registration confirmation (from the registration office)
• If previously married: Divorce decree with proof of finality or death certificate of ex-partner

Foreign Citizens

In addition to the above:

• Valid passport + any residence status documents
• Birth certificate — certified, with Apostille/legalization, translated
• Certificate of Marital Capacity — from your home country (with Apostille, translated)
• Certificate of Single Status — if no Certificate of Marital Capacity is available
• Possibly name registration or marital status certificate
• If previously married: foreign divorce decree (must be recognized in Germany!)

Tip: Clarify early (3–6 months before the wedding) with the Standesamt which documents are exactly needed — requirements vary depending on your country of origin.

Marriage Process

1. Registration for Marriage

• Schedule an appointment with the Standesamt (often possible online)
• Submit documents — the Standesamt reviews the documents (time: 2–8 weeks)
• Schedule the wedding ceremony

2. The Wedding Ceremony

• Takes place in the wedding room of the Standesamt (or at an approved venue)
• Civil registry officer conducts the ceremony
• Both partners declare their willingness to marry ("Yes, I do")
• Two witnesses are optional (no longer required since 1998, but customary)
• Ring exchange — not required, but traditional
• Duration: approximately 20–30 minutes

3. Marriage Certificate

After the ceremony, you receive the marriage certificate (Eheurkunde) — the official document of your marriage.

The Marriage Certificate (Eheurkunde)

What Is in the Marriage Certificate?

• Names of both spouses (birth name and any married name)
• Date and place of birth
• Date and place of marriage
• Standesamt number and registration number
• Religious affiliation (if desired)

What Do I Need the Marriage Certificate For?

• Name change — at the registration office and other authorities
• Change of tax class — with the tax office (tax class III/V or IV/IV)
• Family reunification — for spouse's visa
• Inheritance rights — proof of marriage in case of death
• Insurance — family insurance in the GKV

Costs

Total Costs (typical): For a German-foreign couple with translations and certifications: 200–600 € (without celebration).

Name Rights After Marriage

Options

• Joint surname — one partner's name becomes the family name
• Hyphenated name — e.g., "Müller-Schmidt" (only for the partner changing their name; children receive only the married name)
• Both keep their names — each retains their birth name

For Foreigners

Which name law applies depends on your citizenship. Generally, you can choose whether the law of your home country or German law applies.

After the Wedding — Important Steps

1. Registration office — register your new name (renew ID card/passport)
2. Tax office — request tax class change (often worthwhile: III/V for different incomes)
3. Health insurance — possibly family insurance for your spouse
4. Bank — name change on your account
5. Employer — notify of new name and tax class
6. Residence status — possibly change of residence status (family reunification → independent residence right after 3 years)
7. Driver's license — name change (recommended, not required)

Recognition of Foreign Marriages

Marriages concluded abroad are generally recognized in Germany if they were valid under the law of the country where they were concluded.

Exceptions:

• Child marriages (under 16 years) — invalid in Germany since 2017
• Forced marriages — not recognized
• Polygamous marriages — only the first marriage is recognized

For official purposes in Germany, you often need a certified translation and Apostille of your foreign marriage certificate.

Tips

1. Start early — begin gathering documents 6 months before your desired date
2. Contact the Standesamt — each office has its own requirements, especially for foreign documents
3. Certified translators — use only recognized translators (list available from the Regional Court)
4. Certificate of Marital Capacity — can take months, apply early in your home country

As of: March 2026. All information without warranty.