Documents for the Registry Office: Marriage Registration Checklist

Your wedding date is set, but before you can say “I do” in a civil ceremony, the legal requirements must be checked. To do this, you register your intended marriage with the registry office and submit the required documents.

The documents required by the registry office depend largely on your personal circumstances. For two adults who were born in Germany, are German citizens and have never been married, the list is usually quite short. Previous marriages, foreign certificates, foreign citizenship or a divorce abroad may require additional evidence and longer processing times.

This guide provides an overview for Germany as a whole. Your local registry office will always give you the definitive list of required documents, as requirements, validity periods and fees can vary by region and individual circumstances.

Key points at a glance

• As a rule, you register with the registry office in whose district at least one of you lives or has your habitual residence.

• Once your documents have been successfully reviewed, you can generally marry at any registry office in Germany.

• Approval confirming that you meet the requirements for marriage is valid for six months. If the wedding does not take place within this period, the requirements must be reviewed again.

• In a straightforward, standard case, you will usually need valid IDs, current extracts from the birth register and, where applicable, proof of your registered address.

• An old birth certificate is not automatically the right document. The registry office often requires a recent certified extract from the birth register, including the notes section.

• Previous marriage, widowhood, a change of name or children you have together may mean that additional certificates are required.

• If your circumstances involve another country, arrange an individual consultation early and don’t order documents before you know exactly what is needed.

• Fees vary depending on the federal state, municipality, your personal circumstances, the time and location of the ceremony.

Registration, date reservation and ceremony: what’s the difference?

These three steps are often confused:

1. Reserve your preferred date

Many registry offices allow you to make a non-binding or provisional reservation well in advance of the wedding. Each registry office sets its own rules about whether, when and how this is possible. A reservation does not replace the legal registration of your marriage.

2. Register your marriage

As part of the formal registration, the registry office checks your identity, marital status, citizenship and whether there are any legal impediments to your marriage. The relevant legal provisions include Section 12 and Section 13 of the Civil Status Act.

Many registry offices accept registrations no earlier than six months before your preferred wedding date. The key point is that you must marry within six months of approval. After that, a new registration or review is required.

3. Get married

You don’t have to marry at the same registry office where you register. If you want to marry in another German city, you generally register with the registry office responsible for your place of residence. Once your documents have been successfully reviewed, they are forwarded to the registry office where you wish to marry.

If neither of you lives or has a habitual residence in Germany, the responsible registry office is the one where you intend to marry.

What documents does the registry office need in a straightforward, standard case?

The following basic list typically applies if you are both:

• of legal age,

• German citizens,

• born in Germany,

• registered as living in Germany, and

• never married or in a registered civil partnership.

This list is not exhaustive. Some registry offices access German civil status or population registers directly, while others ask you to provide documents. Always check your individual list before ordering anything.

Birth certificate or birth register: what’s the difference?

The instruction to “bring your birth certificate” often causes confusion. A birth certificate contains selected information from the birth register. A certified extract from the birth register, including the notes section, may also contain later civil status notes that are important for the review.

That’s why a birth certificate from your family record book is not accepted by every registry office. For the standard case described on its website, the Berlin Service Portal explicitly states that a certified extract from the birth register is required, not a birth certificate. Other municipalities have the same requirement.

Here’s how to make sure you get it right:

1. Ask the registry office handling your registration for the exact name of the document you need.

2. Order it from the registry office in your place of birth.

3. Check how recent it needs to be. Some registry offices, for example, accept the extract only if it is no more than six months old at the time of registration.

4. Don’t order the document too early if you haven’t set your registration appointment yet.

5. Use the city or municipality’s official certificate portal where possible, rather than unnecessarily expensive third-party services.

If you were born abroad, different requirements apply. You may need a foreign birth certificate, an international certificate, a translation or proof of authenticity.

Do you need a certificate of residence?

That depends on the registry office and where you live. If you register your marriage in the area where your main residence is located, the registry office may be able to obtain some of the required residence details itself. If one of you lives outside its jurisdiction, it may ask for an extended certificate of residence or proof of residence that states your marital status.

The validity period also varies locally. In certain cases, for example, Berlin requires a certificate that is no more than 14 days old at the time of registration; other portals specify different periods. Wait until you know your registry office’s requirements before ordering one.

Additional documents if you’ve been married before

If you’ve been married before, you must provide proof not only of the previous marriage but also that it has been legally dissolved.

After a divorce in Germany

A recent certified copy of the marriage register for your most recent marriage, showing that it has been dissolved, is often required. This is issued by the registry office where you married at the time.

Depending on the registry office, you may also be asked to provide:

• Marriage certificate for your previous marriage

• Full divorce decree

• Certificate confirming that the divorce decree is final

• Proof of any other previous marriages, if they need to be reviewed

A divorce decree without confirmation that it is final is generally not sufficient proof that the marriage has been legally dissolved.

If a previous marriage ended due to the death of your spouse

Possible documents include:

• A recent extract from the marriage register showing that the marriage has been dissolved, or

• The marriage certificate for the previous marriage and the death certificate of your former spouse

After a previous civil partnership

You may need a certified extract from the civil partnership register showing that the partnership has been dissolved, or the civil partnership certificate together with final proof that the partnership has been terminated.

Children together, a change of name and other special cases

Additional documents may be required, especially if:

• you already have children together,

• paternity has been acknowledged,

• a declaration of parental responsibility has been made,

• your name was changed after birth,

• there has been an adoption,

• you have become a German citizen,

• you were admitted to Germany as a late repatriate, or

• details differ between your various certificates.

If you have children together, their birth certificates are often required. Depending on your family circumstances, an acknowledgment of paternity and a declaration of parental responsibility may also be relevant. If your name has changed, the registry office may ask for the relevant name-change certificate or other proof of your current legal name.

Marriage involving another country: get advice before ordering documents

Your circumstances may involve another country even if neither of you has foreign citizenship. This may apply if one of you:

• was born abroad,

• previously held a different citizenship,

• married or divorced abroad,

• has foreign civil status documents, or

• does not live in Germany.

There is no reliable one-size-fits-all list for these cases. The required documents depend on factors including the country of origin, citizenship, marital status and international agreements. Arrange an in-person consultation with the registry office responsible for you as early as possible.

Foreign documents

The registry office may ask for, among other things:

• Foreign birth certificate

• Passport and, if required, separate proof of citizenship

• Certificate of no impediment to marriage

• Certificate of single status or marital status

• Certificates of previous marriages

• Divorce or annulment decisions

• Death certificates of former spouses

• Naturalisation certificate or proof of name

As a rule, documents must be submitted in the required format and often in their original form. Documents in a foreign language usually require a complete German translation by a translator who is publicly appointed or sworn in Germany. You can find qualified professionals in the nationwide German judiciary’s database of interpreters and translators.

Apostille, legalisation or no additional certification?

Whether a foreign document needs additional certification depends on the issuing country and the agreements in force:

• An apostille or legalisation may not be required for certain documents from EU member states.

• Between countries that are parties to the Hague Convention, an apostille generally replaces legalisation.

• In other cases, legalisation by the German diplomatic mission or a special document verification may be required.

The German authority where the document will be used makes the final decision. For a detailed overview, see the Federal Foreign Office’s information on international document procedures.

Certificate of no impediment to marriage and exemption

If you are subject to foreign law with regard to the requirements for marriage, you generally need a certificate of no impediment to marriage from the competent authority in your country of origin under Section 1309 of the German Civil Code. It confirms that there is no impediment to your marriage under that country’s law.

If your country of origin does not issue such a certificate, an exemption may be possible in certain circumstances from the president of the competent Higher Regional Court. The application is usually prepared through the registry office. Don’t order substitute documents until you have received a specific list.

Divorce abroad

A foreign divorce decision is not automatically valid in Germany in every case. Under Section 107 of the Act on Proceedings in Family Matters and in Matters of Non-contentious Jurisdiction, formal recognition by the competent state justice administration is often required; however, statutory and European-law exceptions apply.

Tell the registry office as early as possible:

• in which country the marriage took place,

• where and when the divorce was granted,

• what citizenship both former spouses held when the decision was made, and

• whether a German recognition decision has already been issued.

Obtaining documents, translations, authenticity checks and recognition can take several months. If your circumstances involve another country, start the consultation process well over six months before your planned wedding. The formal registration is still subject to the six-month validity period.

Do both of you have to attend the registration appointment?

You usually register your marriage together. If one of you cannot attend for an important reason, the other can often register on your behalf with written authorisation. Use only the form provided by the registry office responsible for you.

If neither of you can attend, a written application or a representative acting under a power of attorney may be possible, depending on your circumstances. Be sure to discuss this with the registry office in advance.

Bring all requested documents in their original form to the appointment. A smartphone scan or ordinary photocopy is generally not sufficient for certificates. Do not laminate, punch holes in or alter original certificates.

What happens at the registry office appointment?

The exact process varies, but typically the following points are covered:

1. Your identities and personal details are checked.

2. The registry office checks your civil status, citizenship and residence.

3. Any previous marriages or civil partnerships are reviewed.

4. Any missing documents or further procedures are identified.

5. You can discuss the name you wish to use after marriage.

6. The registry office checks whether there is any impediment to your marriage.

7. Once the review is complete, you are informed that you may marry.

8. If you are marrying elsewhere, your documents are forwarded to the registry office where the ceremony will take place.

Ask whether you need to submit any additional documents, when they are due and whether the review has been fully completed.

Deadlines: when should you take care of each step?

The timeframes before the six-month limit are planning recommendations. The legal requirement is that if more than six months pass after you are notified of approval without the marriage taking place, the requirements must be reviewed again.

What fees does the registry office charge?

There is no single nationwide total. Fees depend on state and municipal law, as well as your personal circumstances. In addition to the review, you may be charged for certificates, special times, external venues or complex procedures involving another country.

Current official examples show the differences:

These examples are not a nationwide price list. Check the current fee schedule published by your registry office before setting your budget. You can find official examples from the registry offices in Cologne, Berlin and Aalen.

Your complete registry office checklist

Before ordering documents

• Find out which registry office is responsible for your place of residence

• Check your preferred ceremony venue and its reservation process

• Provide full details of your personal circumstances

• Request an individual list of required documents in writing

• Note the validity periods for each document

• Book your marriage registration appointment

Documents for a standard case

• Check that your national ID cards or passports are valid

• Order a certified extract from the birth register if required

• Obtain an extended certificate of residence or proof of residence if required

• Complete the registration form

• Prepare a power of attorney if only one of you will attend

Depending on your personal circumstances

• Extract from the previous marriage register showing that the marriage has been dissolved

• Marriage certificate and final divorce decree

• Death certificate of your former spouse

• Proof of previous civil partnerships

• Birth certificates of children you have together

• Acknowledgment of paternity and declaration of parental responsibility

• Name-change certificate

• Naturalisation certificate or proof of citizenship

If your circumstances involve another country

• Arrange an in-person consultation with the registry office

• Obtain original foreign certificates in line with your individual list

• Check whether you need a certificate of no impediment to marriage or an exemption procedure

• Check whether you need an apostille, legalisation or document verification

• Arrange a translation by a publicly appointed or sworn professional

• Check whether a foreign divorce needs to be recognised

• Allow time for processing and postal delivery

• Include additional fees in your wedding budget

Before and after registration

• Check that all originals are complete and that names are spelled consistently

• Confirm the fees and accepted payment methods

• Decide what name you wish to use after marriage

• Decide how many marriage certificates you need and which type

• Note the deadline for submitting any missing documents

• Add the end of the six-month validity period to your calendar

• Confirm that your documents will be forwarded to another registry office if needed

Keep track of all your documents and deadlines

With the TRAUKLAR Registry Office Checklist, you can tick off the documents required for your circumstances step by step and add important document and registration deadlines to your wedding plans.

Download the registry office checklist

Common mistakes when registering your marriage

Bringing your existing birth certificate without checking

Many registry offices instead require a recent certified extract from the birth register. Ask for the exact name of the document.

Ordering documents too early

Some documents must be only a few weeks or months old on the day of registration. Check the validity period first, then order them.

Having foreign documents translated before checking

The registry office decides which document, version and certification are required. A translation arranged too early may not be accepted or may need to be redone.

Confusing a date reservation with registration

Having a wedding date provisionally booked does not mean that your legal eligibility to marry has already been checked.

Bringing only copies or smartphone scans

Civil status certificates generally have to be submitted in the required original form. Bring all the original documents, including any apostilles and translations attached to them.

Overlooking the end of the six-month validity period

If the ceremony does not take place in time, your registration or the review must be repeated. You may need to provide documents and pay fees again.

Questions to ask the registry office at your first consultation

1. Which registry office is responsible for our registration?

2. Can we reserve our preferred date before completing the formal registration?

3. Which documents do we need in our specific circumstances?

4. Do we need a birth certificate or a certified extract from the birth register?

5. How recent does each document need to be?

6. Can the registry office access residence details and German register entries itself?

7. Do both of us need to attend in person?

8. Which power of attorney will be accepted if one of us cannot attend?

9. Do we need translations, apostilles or legalisations?

10. Does a foreign divorce need to be recognised?

11. What are the likely total fees?

12. Which documents will be forwarded to the registry office where we will marry?

In summary: get your individual list before ordering documents

Registering your marriage is usually straightforward in a standard case. Still, it’s worth checking the details: a birth certificate may not be the required register extract, certificates of residence may have short validity periods, and previous or foreign civil status matters may require additional checks.

The safest approach is to identify the registry office responsible for you, explain your personal circumstances in full, request an individual list of required documents and only then order any documents that involve a fee. If your circumstances involve another country, allow plenty of time and keep the six-month validity period in mind once your application has been approved.

Frequently asked questions about documents for the registry office

How far in advance can you register your marriage?

Many registry offices accept formal registrations no earlier than six months before your preferred wedding date. Once your documents have been approved, you must marry within six months. Depending on the registry office, you may be able to reserve your preferred date earlier.

Is an ordinary birth certificate enough to register your marriage?

Not always. Many registry offices require a recent certified extract from the birth register, including the notes section, in standard cases. Ask for the exact name of the document before ordering it.

Which registry office should you register your marriage with?

As a rule, you register with a registry office in whose jurisdiction at least one of you lives or has your habitual residence. Once your documents have been approved, you can generally marry at any registry office in Germany.

Can one person register the marriage alone?

If one of you cannot attend for an important reason, the other can often register on your behalf with written authorisation. The registry office responsible for you will usually provide its own form.

What should you know about foreign documents?

Depending on the issuing country, you may need the original document, a German translation, an apostille, legalisation or document verification. Ask the registry office for individual advice before obtaining anything.

How much does marriage registration cost?

Fees vary by region. Current official examples for the review alone, with no foreign-law involvement, are €40 in Cologne, €45 in Berlin and €65 in Aalen. Certificates, foreign law, special ceremony venues and appointments outside regular opening hours cost extra.

How long is marriage registration valid?

Once your documents have been approved, you have six months to marry. After that, the registry office must review the requirements again.

Official sources and important note

This article provides general information for Germany and does not replace individual advice from a registry office or legal advice. The current list of required documents and fee information from the registry office responsible for you is binding.

Legal provisions and further information:

• Section 12 of the Civil Status Act – Registration of a marriage

• Section 13 of the Civil Status Act – Review of the requirements for marriage

• Hesse Administrative Portal – Registering a marriage

• Berlin Service Portal – Marriage with no foreign-law involvement

• Berlin Service Portal – Marriage involving another country

• Federal Foreign Office – International document procedures

• Section 1309 of the German Civil Code – Certificate of no impediment to marriage for foreign nationals

• Section 107 of the Act on Proceedings in Family Matters and in Matters of Non-contentious Jurisdiction – Recognition of foreign decisions in matrimonial matters

Fees and information in this article are current as of September 2026.