Post-certification of a marriage concluded abroad
- If a German has concluded the marriage abroad, the marriage can be notarized in the marriage register on request.
- The registry office 1 in Berlin is responsible for the certification of marriages abroad, of persons without a domestic residence.
A marriage concluded abroad is recognized here if the regulations applicable in the country of marriage have been observed and the marriage was concluded before a legally authorized person. Proof of this is generally the marriage certificate. If the document was not written in German, a translation is required in many cases. have them subsequently certified in a German marriage register. There is no obligation to apply for post-certification. But of course this has advantages: You have the possibility to have a marriage certificate issued by us at any time if your foreign certificate is lost and you have a German certificate as proof of your marriage, which facilitates dealings with authorities and other institutions.
- Marriage certificate (marriage certificate) about the marriage concluded abroad, if necessary with certification by the competent foreign authority (apostille) or legalization by the German mission abroad
- valid identity card, passport or travel document
- if applicable, naturalization certificate, citizenship card
- At the birth of the spouses in Germany:
certified copies of the birth registers from the registry offices of the places of birth.
- At the birth of the spouses abroad:
the birth certificates with certification by the competent foreign authority (apostille) or legalization by the German mission abroad
- Has a spouse been married before:
certified copy from the marriage register of the last previous marriage 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 as to when the judgment is final ("legal force note"))
if applicable, recognition of the foreign divorce by the President of the Higher Regional Court
- Had a spouse ever established a registered civil partnership:
- Proof of the establishment and dissolution of all civil partnerships
- Translations of all documents in a foreign language by translators sworn in in Germany
- In individual cases, further documents may be required.
Preconditions
- The marriage was concluded abroad and at least one of the partners has German citizenship.
- None of the partners has a domicile or habitual residence in Germany.
- Art. 11 para. 1 EGBGB
- Art. 13 para. 14 EGBGB
- Art. 17b EGBGB
- § 34 PStG
- § 39 PStG
- § 41 PStG
- A person with German citizenship has married abroad. The person does not have a domicile or habitual residence in Germany and submits the application for notarization in the marriage register, at the competent registry office 1 in Berlin.
- The registry office 1 in Berlin examines the application and certifies the marriage if it has become convinced on the basis of the evidence provided that the marriage has been concluded.
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Last update or date of publication
12.10.2020