Getting Married in Germany

Share | Print

Getting Married in Germany

Marriage between two people can take place as long as they have both reached eighteen years of age. A statement of parental consent is needed for anyone under the age of eighteen.

Any foreigner intending to marry in Germany is advised to go to the local Embassy or Consulate and to the local registry office (Standesamt) as soon as possible. The documents required can vary between regions and districts so it is wise to check which rules apply locally. In addition, anyone planning to return to their country of origin at a later date may like to clarify with their Embassy that their future partner will be permitted to accompany them. Their Embassy may also be able to assist with obtaining the required documentation.

• To find the nearest Standesamt, see the Yellow Pages and enter "Standesamt"

A period of residence of at least 21 days is needed to give notice of marriage. The formalities for obtaining the relevant documentation may take longer than this and some districts insist on a six-week waiting period.

The country of origin of both parties is irrelevant but most districts ask all foreigners intending to marry to provide a "Certificate of no impediment or free status" (Ehefahigkeitszeugnis). More details on how to obtain this are given below.

Documentation and Requirements for Marriage

Germany insists on original or certified copies (not photocopies) of various documents. All of these must have been issued in the last six months. In the case of birth certificates this is likely to mean obtaining a new copy.

• Birth certificate for both parties
• Passport for both parties
• If either party has previously been married they will be asked for a copy of the final divorce decree (or death certificate of the former spouse if widowed). Unfortunately, the German authorities are not always satisfied with a simple divorce decree and often insist that proof be supplied to the effect that the decree can no longer be contested. Normally this means contacting the court that granted the divorce and asking them to provide a statement
• Anyone who has changed his or her name by deed poll will also be asked to provide documentation to support this
• Certificate of Free Status or No Impediment (Ehefahigkeitszeugnis). Not every district requires this document, so check locally with the registry office. Embassies are often happy to assist their citizens with this by allowing them to swear an affidavit in front of a consular officer. There will usually be a charge for this service
• See here for an example

For marriages where either the groom or the bride is not German, the documents are then sent to the Oberlandesgerichts Praesident who verifies the legal status of the couple. This office then sends everything back to the Standesamt and the couple may then get married (or set a date for the wedding).

Some other points to remember:

• Original certificates and certified copies can sometimes be obtained via the relevant Embassy in Germany for a small fee
• All official documents in a language other than German will have to be translated by a sworn interpreter. Embassies can provide details of approved translators
• American citizens who are members of the US Armed Forces are advised to consult the Personal Services Battalion (PSB) for instructions on getting married in Germany
• In some cases one or both parties may have to undergo a medical examination. Check this out locally

The Marriage Ceremony

The marriage normally takes place in the district where the notice of marriage was issued. If the district is different to the issuing district, the documentation must be provided to the new district before the marriage is allowed.

For a marriage to be legally recognised in Germany both parties must appear at the local registry office (Standesamt) in the presence of two witnesses. This is all that is required and many couples do not bother with a religious ceremony. There is a charge for the wedding at the Standesamt and the ceremony is usually conducted in German. It is possible to engage the services of an interpreter (who can also take on the role of witness).

The actual ceremony takes place in rooms reserved exclusively for the purpose and efforts are made to create a pleasant and attractive setting. Some larger towns and cities (such as Frankfurt) may have more than one possible venue.

If there is to be a religious ceremony it must take place after the civil ceremony. Germany has a wide choice of cathedrals, palaces and other venues, which take wedding bookings. There are also agencies that can arrange the hire of clothing, limousines and so on.

Officers at Embassies and Consulates do not have the authority to perform marriages for their own nationals. There is no obligation to register the marriage with the Embassy or Consulate.

Non-Germans marrying a German citizen do not automatically become German nationals themselves. The duration of time for citizenship depends on the non-German bride or groom's country of origin.

Leaving Germany

For EU citizens who have married in Germany, the marriage will normally be recognised by their country of origin. Since EU citizens have the right to freedom of movement throughout the EU, a spouse and any dependent children should have no issue with regard to immigration either.

Where one or both of the partners are non-EU citizens the situation varies. Citizens are advised to contact their own Embassy or Consulate for clarification and to check any potential immigration issues.

Further Information

• The AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Same Sex Marriage in Germany
• German Government Portal
• German Foreign Office - Facts About Germany
• British Embassy Berlin
• US Embassy Berlin
• New Zealand Embassy
• Australian Embassy
• Canadian Embassy