Legalities and Love: How to Get Married in Germany
“Do you want to marry me?” “Yes, I do!” They embrace each other. Heart-shaped confetti rains down on the couple from a cloud of glitter, and an angelic choir begins to sing the first notes…
“CUT!”
The movie ends here. Not without reason: In real life, things go a bit differently. Less fairy-tale castle, more paperwork.
Anyone who has been at this point knows: It’s still a long way to the altar, full of bureaucratic hurdles.
The registry office wants to see a multitude of documents. Sounds complicated? We shed some light on it – so that you have everything important regarding getting married in Germany in focus.
Marrying as a Foreigner in Germany – What Questions Arise
If you plan to get married in Germany, these questions will eventually come up. Find answers and practical tips for couples with an international background in this article. To help you stay on top of things, we’ll cover the essential steps and authorities involved.
First things first: Allocate enough buffer time to avoid stress. You’ll need to apply for various documents, and most likely, get them translated. This takes time. Processing by authorities can sometimes take several weeks.
No matter what documents you require, there’s one thing you can rely on: You can easily obtain the official translation through us, freeing up your mind for your big day.
Order certified translations easily through our shop or send your documents to us collectively for a package deal.
How do you actually get married in Germany?
But first things first: Let’s take a look at how marriage works in Germany…
Where does the marriage take place?
In Germany, one can generally exchange vows at the Standesamt, which is the registry office, in a church, or during a non-religious ceremony. The registry office in Germany is the authority responsible for documenting significant life events of individuals. Besides birth and death, your marriage is also recorded here.
The registry office enters this information into the civil registers and generates the official documents, in your case: the marriage certificate.
The marriage certificate is kept by the registry office, and you receive a certified copy.
- How do you know which Standesamt is responsible for you?
- To register your marriage, you'll need an appointment at the registry office. The responsible registry office is determined by the place where either of you has your official residence. In some areas, the registry office is part of the city administration, while elsewhere, it covers the entire district or operates as an independent authority. To find your registry office, simply search for 'registry office' plus the name of your place of residence.
Officially in Germany, you’re married only when your marriage has been solemnized before the registry office.
However, this doesn’t mean that the civil ceremony must always take place within the registry office premises! Many registry offices allow you to marry at a different location, such as a castle or a hotel. It’s best to inquire at your respective registry office about the available options.
A tip for those in a hurry: Getting an appointment within a short period is difficult in larger cities. You might try to schedule the ceremony at the registry office of a smaller municipality. To do so, inquire at the registry office of your place of residence.
Have you already chosen a venue? Then take care of reserving the location early so that your ceremony can be just as you envision it. This is also a good time to calmly discuss rituals, traditions, and expectations that exist in your home country and families when it comes to marriage. Probably no wedding in the world has gone completely smoothly.
However, an open conversation can help prevent misunderstandings or disappointments. And above all, it saves you from stress. After all, you already have enough with all the paperwork.
Requirements for Marriage in Germany and Legal Foundations
If you intend to get married in Germany, there are some legal aspects to consider.
For instance, there must be no legal impediment to marriage. This means there should be no reasons prohibiting a marriage. If either of you is already married, you’re closely related by blood, or one of you is not of legal age, you cannot marry in Germany.
Exceptions may apply: For example, if having multiple spouses is permitted in your country of origin, these marriages might be recognized in Germany. However, you cannot enter into a new marriage here. There are additional exceptions – it’s best to seek advice from a family law attorney who specializes in this area for further clarification.
Do you need witnesses?
Previously, at least two witnesses had to be present at the civil ceremony. However, this is no longer a requirement. If you wish, you can certainly designate two individuals to accompany you as witnesses.
Family Name
After the marriage, you can decide which surname you would like to use. In Germany, there are several options: For example, you can
Adopt your partner’s name Choose a hyphenated surname Retain your existing names
Furthermore, you can also apply the naming laws of your country of origin.
You don’t have to decide immediately: You can apply for a name change at the registry office at any time after the wedding. There is no time limit.
But let’s take a step back. Before your big day, you have plenty to take care of.
Registering for Marriage
It’s best to inquire in advance at the local registry office to learn about all the specific requirements and deadlines for your marriage. Here are a few basics you can’t avoid:
When you decide to marry, your first step is to schedule an appointment at the registry office. This is called the ‘registration of marriage,’ in official terms. The registry office responsible is located in one of your places of residence. Keep in mind that the registration must take place several weeks before your wedding!
During this initial appointment at the registry office, you can reserve a date for your ceremony. Additionally, discuss with the registrar the documents you’ll need to proceed with your marriage. The appointment also serves as a consultation for you. Feel free to ask all your questions and bring along any documents you’ve already collected. We’ll explain which documents are crucial for marriage in [insert section]. With a bit of luck, you won’t need to visit the registry office more than once. This way, you can save time and focus on the enjoyable aspects of life.
By the way, it’s easiest if both of you attend the registration appointment together. In case one of you can’t make it, you can obtain a power of attorney in advance from the registry office. This allows you to complete the registration even if your partner is absent
Which documents do you need for marriage in Germany?
For a marriage with international aspects in Germany, you’ll need to present various original documents at the registry office.
If you have official documents in a foreign language and need to submit them to a German authority, you’ll generally require an officially certified translation. Feel free to send us your documents – we’ll complete the translation, including certification, within a few working days!
Please note that many foreign documents not only require translation but also need to be authenticated by different authorities. You can find information about what authentication/legalization/apostille or in our FAQs.
Feel free to ask us if you need authentication for the documents we translate for you. We provide an apostille service for German documents for our customers.
This list serves as a guide for you. However, the final decision always rests with the registry office. Inquire there to confirm which documents you’ll specifically need in your case.
For the registration of marriage in Germany, you usually need the following documents:
- Personal ID card, passport, or equivalent proof of identity
- Birth certificates of the future spouses (or certified copies thereof)
- A current certificate of registration/residence
If one or both of you are from abroad, you will likely need additional documents and evidence.
The specific requirements vary based on the country of origin and individual circumstances. A consultation with the registry office is necessary. There, you can seek advice on the necessary documents for your situation.
Frequently required documents include:
- A certificate of residency
- A certificate of eligibility to marry, the Ehefähigkeitszeugnis, or a sworn affidavit regarding civil status
- Ehefähigkeits...What?
- A certificate of eligibility to marry confirms that your home country legally recognizes you as eligible for marriage.
Your wedding in Germany
What documents did you need to get married in Germany? How long did it take you to get everything together? What would you recommend to a foreigner who wants to get married in Germany?
Tell us your story in the comments and share the article with your contacts!
