The following documents are required to register your marriage:

• if you have German citizenship and are entering into your first marriage:
  • valid identity card or passport
  • extended registration certificate from the registration office of your main residence (usually not older than 4 weeks)
• if your birth was registered in Germany
  • certified extract from the (electronic) register of births or certified copy of the register of births (in paper form) from the registry office of the place of birth
• if your birth was notarized abroad:
  • current birth certificate
• if you were already married or living in a civil partnership, you will also need:
  • Marriage certificate and final divorce decree or
  • proof of the establishment and dissolution of the civil partnership or
• if your former partner has died in the meantime:
  • the marriage certificate or
  • the proof of the establishment of the civil partnership as well as
  • the death certificate of the former partner
• If your divorce took place abroad, you should inquire in advance at the registry office whether a recognition procedure is required. Please bring with you
  • all marriage certificates
  • all final divorce decrees (with facts and reasons for the decision)
  • a complete translation by a sworn translator in Germany
• If you have children in common with your future spouse or if you have custody of children from previous marriages, you will also need the following
  • Birth certificates of the children and
  • proof of joint custody
• in the case of a partner from abroad, the following are required
  • Valid identity card/passport or other proof of identification.
  • Proof of citizenship, if this is not evident from the identity card or passport
  • extended registration certificate of the registration office of the main residence (usually not older than 4 weeks)
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate
  • Foreign language documents with translation, if not on international form

Notes:

For partners from countries where certificates of marriageability are not issued, it is advisable to seek advice at the registry office about exemption from the obligation to present a certificate of marriageability. This is granted by the President of the Higher Regional Court. The registrar takes the application and forwards it.

For foreign-language documents, the registry office generally requires complete translations into German, prepared by a translator who is publicly appointed and sworn in Germany. Foreign documents often also require certification by the competent foreign authority. In such a case, the registry office will draw your attention to this.

• Further documents:
  • The registry office may require additional documents under certain circumstances, such as the naturalization certificate.