In some countries, you need a certificate of no impediment to marry if you want to marry there as a German citizen.
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.
If you are a German citizen and are entering into your first marriage, you will need the following documents:
- valid identity card or passport
- current certified extract from the birth register or certified copy of the birth certificate from the registry office of your place of birth
- Residence certificate from the registration authority
- Birth certificate or international birth certificate
- Certificate of name change
- Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate of the last marriage with a note that the marriage has been dissolved.
- foreign marriage certificates and legally binding divorce decrees of all previous marriages
- Certificate pursuant to Article 39 on decisions in matrimonial cases
- Declaratory decision of the Higher Regional Court on the recognition of a foreign decision in matrimonial matters
- Spouse's death certificate
The registry office requires documents for both partners to issue the certificate.
Foreign documents must be translated by a sworn interpreter in Germany. Depending on the country, a translation, certification (apostille), or legalization may be required.
Preconditions
- You are at least 18 years old.
- You have German citizenship or are subject to German law as a stateless person, homeless person or foreign refugee.
- The marriage does not violate German law.
- The country in which you wish to marry requires you to provide a marriage certificate.
Hints
- If both fiancés have German citizenship, it is often sufficient to issue only one certificate of no capacity to marry for both fiancés.
- Foreign nationals who wish to marry in Germany also need a certificate of no capacity to marry.
- If same-sex couples wish to marry and their home country does not allow same-sex marriage, they do not need to provide a marriage certificate.
- If you have never had a residence in Germany, the Registry Office I in Berlin is responsible.
The cost of applying for a certificate of no impediment to marriage is €74.50.
If one of the fiancés has a foreign nationality, the costs amount to EUR 126.50.
Basis for legal action
Legal Remedies
Application for a court decision and instructions from the registry office
Related Links
- Information and advice for binational couples and for getting married abroadCurrently this link is only available in german
- Re-notarization of a marriage abroadCurrently this link is only available in german
- Recognition of foreign divorcesCurrently this link is only available in german
- naming in marriageCurrently this link is only available in german
Procedure
- You can apply for the marriage certificate in person:
- You apply for the marriage certificate at the responsible registry office.
- You will need to present your identity card or passport for identification purposes.
- You will then be informed in writing or in person about the necessary documents.
- You submit the documents.
- The responsible registry office will review your application and documents. If necessary, it will request additional documents or information from you.
- You usually pay the fee cashlessly at the registry office.
- You will receive the marriage certificate.
- You can apply for the marriage certificate in writing:
- You submit the application for a certificate of capacity to marry in writing to the responsible registry office.
- You will then be informed in writing or in person about the necessary documents.
- You submit the documents.
- The responsible registry office will review your application and documents. If necessary, it will request additional documents or information from you.
- You will receive the marriage certificate.
- You will receive a fee notice.
- You pay the fees.
Deadlines
The certificate of no capacity to marry is valid for 6 months after it is issued.
Processing time
Processing the application takes several weeks.