Marriage abroad without domestic residence: Apply for subsequent notarisation

There is no formal recognition procedure for foreign marriages in Germany. If you got married abroad, you are therefore not obliged to register your marriage in a German marriage register.

However, to make it easier to deal with authorities and other institutions, it may be advantageous for you to register in a German marriage register at your local registry office. You can then have a German marriage certificate issued there. This proves your marriage and provides information about the name.

A marriage contracted abroad is recognised in Germany if the regulations applicable in the country of marriage have been observed and the marriage was contracted before a legally authorised person.

Marriage certificates from abroad are generally recognised in Germany in the case of a marriage that is valid in German law, but are often only accepted if their authenticity has been established in a special procedure. An apostille or legalisation is helpful for this, which confirms the authenticity of the document. If the document was not drawn up in German, a translation is often required.

Notes:

• The registry office in whose jurisdiction you have or last had your place of residence or habitual abode in Germany is responsible for the subsequent notarisation.
• If you have never lived in Germany, the "Landesamt für Bürger- und Ordnungsangelegenheiten - Standesamt I in Berlin" is responsible for you.

• Tariff items 3.2.1 and 3.2.2 of the Cost Ordinance of the Ministry of the Interior of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (IMKostVO M-V)
• Article 17b Introductory Act to the German Civil Code (EGBGB)
• § Section 34 of the Civil Status Act (PStG)
• § Section 39 of the Civil Status Act (PStG)
• § Section 41 of the Civil Status Act (PStG)

• Marriage certificate (marriage certificate) of the marriage concluded abroad, if necessary with certification by the competent foreign authority (apostille) or legalisation by the German diplomatic mission abroad
• Valid identity card, passport or travel document or use of an ID function
• Naturalisation certificate, citizenship card if applicable
• at the birth of the spouses in Germany:
  • certified copies of the birth registers from the registry offices of the places of birth
• if the spouses were born abroad:
  • Birth certificates with certification by the competent foreign authority (apostille) or legalisation by the German diplomatic mission abroad
• one spouse has been married before:
  • Notarised copy from the German marriage register of the last marriage with annulment note
  • alternatively or in the case of previous marriages abroad: proof of the conclusion and dissolution of all previous marriages, e.g. marriage certificates, death certificates, all divorce decrees, with proof of authenticity (apostille or legalisation)
    • in full and with a note from the court stating when the judgement became final ("final judgement note")
  • Recognition of the foreign divorce by the President of the Higher Regional Court, if applicable
• one spouse had already established a registered civil partnership:
  • Proof of the establishment and dissolution of all civil partnerships
• Translations of all documents in foreign languages by sworn translators in Switzerland
• Further documents may be required in individual cases

• The marriage was entered into abroad and at least one of the two persons has German citizenship or is recognised as a foreign refugee, person entitled to asylum, person entitled to asylum or stateless person.

• Request for instructions from the local court responsible for the registry office (civil status court)