👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family

💍 Getting Married in Germany — Documents & Process

Everything foreigners need to get married in Germany — documents, costs, deadlines. Especially for binational couples.

German terms

Standesamt Eheschließung Ehefähigkeitszeugnis Apostille Eheurkunde Aufgebot

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Contact the civil registry office (Standesamt) Required

Standesamt kontaktieren

Start early — at least 6 months ahead! The Standesamt will tell you exactly which documents you need for your country. Every case is different. Registration fee: €125–175.

Birth certificate (original + translation + Apostille) Required

Geburtsurkunde

Must not be older than 6 months! Translation by sworn translator in Germany (beeidigter Übersetzer). Apostille from your home country — cost: €22. Some countries need Legalisation instead of Apostille.

Certificate of marriageability (Ehefähigkeitszeugnis) Required

Ehefähigkeitszeugnis

Issued by: Poland ✅ Turkey ✅ Croatia ✅ Italy ✅ Greece ✅ and ~22 more countries. If your country doesn't issue it: apply for exemption at OLG (Higher Regional Court). Takes 4–12 weeks, cost ~€40. Recognized refugees are automatically exempt.

Valid passport Required

Reisepass

Or other ID document. Bring original + 2 copies.

Current registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) Required

Meldebescheinigung

Extended version (Erweiterte — with marital status). Request at Bürgeramt. Free or ~€10.

Get all foreign documents translated Required

Beglaubigte Übersetzungen

Only by sworn translator in Germany (beeidigter Übersetzer)! Cost: €30–80 per document. Find one: justiz-dolmetscher.de. Translations from abroad are usually NOT accepted!

Eheschließung anmelden

Both partners must appear in person with all documents. Standesamt reviews papers and sets a date. Registration valid for 6 months — you can marry at any Standesamt in Germany.

After the wedding — what next? Required

Nach der Eheschließung

1) Marriage certificate (Eheurkunde) — you get it immediately. 2) Name change (optional) — at Standesamt. 3) Change tax class at Finanzamt (III/V or IV/IV). 4) Notify: bank, health insurance, employer. 5) For foreigners: family reunification now possible!