Marriage Registration in Germany

Marriage and civil partnerships in Germany

German law recognizes marriage between two persons of the same or opposite sex; registered civil partnerships concluded before 1 October 2017 remain valid, but no new ones can be entered into. Marriage and civil partnerships are considered legal contracts in Germany, thus they are protected by the Constitution. Marriage grants certain rights to spouses, such as taxation, pension and adoption rights. Moreover, the Inheritance Law in Germany also confers certain rights in case of death of one of the spouses.

Civil partnerships were introduced in Germany in 2001 when the Life Partnership Act (Lebenspartnerschaftsgesetz) entered into force; since 1 October 2017 same-sex couples can marry, no new civil partnerships can be registered and existing ones may be converted into marriage. Individuals concluding German civil partnerships have some of the same rights as marriage, among them pension and health insurance.

For details about the Life Partnership Act please contact our law firm in Germany.

What is the procedure for getting married in Germany?

Marriages (and, until October 2017, civil partnerships) are concluded the same way in Germany. Both partners are required to go to the local registry office (Standesamt) within the city hall (Rathaus) of their city and submit a marriage application (Anmeldung der Eheschließung). Foreign individuals living in Germany must also know they must have their residence in the city where they give notice of marriage (the registry office where one partner is resident is competent); German law sets no 21-day minimum residence period. It is also possible for one of the parties to submit the marriage application if given power of attorney by the other party.

Foreign citizens getting married are required, if their home country does not issue a certificate of no impediment, to have their documents sent by the registry office to the competent Higher Regional Court (Oberlandesgericht) for an exemption in order to have their legal status verified.

Marriages and civil partnerships are registered within two to six weeks from submitting all the required documents.

What are the required documents for marriage registration in Germany?

Spouses are required to submit the following documents when getting married in Germany:

• – identification documents, such as passports,
• – an official statement of residency,
• – birth certificates,
• – birth certificates of children, if applicable,
• – a certificate of no impediment,
• – a declaration stating both parties are single,
• – a marriage questionnaire provided by the registry office,
• – a certificate of divorce and previous marriage certificates, if applicable,
• – death certificate, if applicable,
• – a confirmation of name change, if applicable,
• – further documents requested by the registry office in the individual case (financial statements are not required).

All documents must be translated and certified. For notary services you may rely on our attorneys in Germany.