# Divorce
What is the process for divorcing or for dissolving a registered life partnership? What do you need to do for a divorce decree from another country to be legally valid in Germany? Who is involved in deciding on maintenance claims and the division of property and possessions?
To ServicesInformation about Rights & Duties
- Two persons who want to enter into marriage with each other are married within the framework of the civil marriage/marriage by a civil registrar.
- The marriage takes place at a place dedicated (prescribed) for this purpose by the competent authority.
Do you need a marriage certificate? You can obtain your marriage certificate from the registry office in whose area the marriage took place. The registry office issues it from the marriage register.
If your marriage was divorced outside Germany, you can have this decision formally recognized in Germany.
If you do not have German citizenship and wish to marry in Germany, you will need a certificate of marriageability from your home country. If you are not issued one, you can apply for an exemption from the requirement to present a certificate of marriageability.
If you want to end your marriage, you can file for a divorce of your marriage.
If you are married or in a registered civil partnership but living separately, you can demand reasonable maintenance from your partner even before the divorce.