You can have your marriage, which you entered into abroad, registered in Germany retroactively. This means that your marriage will be entered into the marriage register. If you register your marriage retroactively, you can also obtain a German marriage certificate from the registry office.
More Information
Publisher
Hamburg
Last update or date of publication
Contact
The government service telephone number 115 – your point of contact for questions related to the federal, state and local.
Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 18:00 (and beyond these times in some regions).
Call 115 nowGovernment service telephone number calls are charged at local rates.
- 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.
Preconditions
- 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
Hints
- 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.
- Subsequent registration of a marriage concluded abroad and entry in the German marriage register: EUR 175.00 to EUR 575.00.
- Recording of a surname determination: EUR 38.50
- Marriage certificate: €19.50, each additional one: €8.50
- Certificate of name usage: 19.50 EUR
Basis for legal action
§ 34 Civil Status Act (PStG)
https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstg/__34.html
Legal Remedies
Application for instructions from the registry office at the Hamburg District Court, Sievekingplatz 1
Related Links
- General register of the Hamburg registry officesCurrently this link is only available in german
- Registry office I in BerlinCurrently this link is only available in german
- State Archives, civil status documentsCurrently this link is only available in german
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.
Deadlines
No
Processing time
Processing may take up to several weeks.