ºÚÁÏÀÏ˾»ú

Prerequisites

• Your marriage abroad will be recognized if the regulations in force in the country of marriage were observed and the marriage was performed before a legally authorized person.
• The marriage is governed by German law.
• One of you already has German citizenship or is a stateless, homeless foreign person or a foreign refugee with habitual residence in Germany.
• If neither of you is a German citizen and you married in Germany, you must have married before an authorized official from your home country (for example, at a consulate).
• Eligible applicants are:
  • Both spouses
  • If both are deceased
    • Their parents
    • Their children

Documents required

• Marriage certificate or marriage certificate for the marriage concluded abroad, if necessary, confirmation of authenticity by the competent foreign authority (Apostille) or by the German diplomatic mission abroad (Legalization)
• valid identity cards, passports or travel documents
• if necessary, naturalization certificates or citizenship certificates

• If you were born in Germany:
  • certified copies of the birth register from the registry offices of the places of birth.
• If you were born abroad:
  • the birth certificates, if necessary with apostille or legalization
• If one spouse has been married before:
  • Certified copy of the marriage register of previous marriages with a note of dissolution.
  • Alternatively, or in the case of a previous marriage abroad: proof of the conclusion and dissolution of all previous marriages - for example, marriage certificates, death certificates, all divorce decrees (complete and with a note from the court stating when the decree became final).
• If necessary: recognition of the foreign divorce by the President of the Higher Regional Court.
• If a spouse has already entered into a registered civil partnership:
  • Evidence of the establishment and dissolution of all civil partnerships
  • Translations of all documents in foreign languages by sworn translators in the country
• In individual cases, additional documents may be required.

Please note

• You are not obliged to have your marriage, which was concluded abroad, subsequently registered in Germany.
• The registry office of the place of residence in Germany is responsible for the registration of marriages abroad.
• For German citizens without residence or habitual abode in Germany, the Registry Office 1 in Berlin is responsible.

Deadlines

No

Procedure

You apply for the registration of your marriage in person at the responsible authority.

• You go personally to the responsible office.
• You submit the required documents.
• The registrar will examine your application.
• You pay the fees.
• The responsible authority will enter your marriage in the marriage register.
• If necessary, you will receive a marriage certificate after registration in the register.

Processing time

Processing may take up to several weeks.

Fees

• Subsequent registration of a marriage concluded abroad and entry in the German marriage register: EUR 153.00 to EUR 519.00.


• Registration of a married name: EUR 35.50


• Marriage certificate: 18.00 EUR, each additional certificate: 8.00 EUR


• Certificate of name use: 18.00 EUR

Legal remedies

Application for instructions from the registry office at the Hamburg District Court, Sievekingplatz 1

Legal basis

§ 34 Civil Status Act (PStG)