Apply for a marriage certificate from old family registers

Family registers were created "ex officio" for marriages concluded before a German registry office up to 31 December 2008. The family register contained information on the spouses, the parents of the spouses and the children of the spouses. Since 1 January 2009, a family register has no longer been created. Family registers created up to 31 December 2008 are continued as marriage entries and no longer contain the extensive entries such as ancestors and descendants. Marriage certificates can be issued from family registers that are continued as marriage entries.

Note: The family book, which was created until 31 December 2008, is to be distinguished from the family register. The family register is held by the family and records all important events in the family (e.g. marriages, births, deaths). The family register can be selected when registering for marriage at the registry office and is subject to a charge.