When applying, you must submit

• if you are a German citizen and are entering into your first marriage:
  • valid identity card or passport
  • extended registration certificate from the registration office (not older than four weeks). In some municipalities, the registry office can print out the extended registration certificate for you.
• if your birth was notarised in Germany:
  • current certified extract from the (electronic) register of births with reference section or current certified copy from the register of births with reference section (in paper form) from the registry office of the place of birth
• if your birth was notarised abroad:
  • current birth certificate
• if you were already married or 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
  • proof of the establishment of the civil partnership and
  • the death certificate of the former partner
• if your divorce took place abroad, you should enquire in advance at the registry office whether a recognition procedure is required. Please bring this with you:
  • all marriage certificates
  • all final divorce judgements (with facts and reasons for the decision)
  • a complete translation by a sworn translator in Germany
• if you and your future spouse have children together or if you have custody of children from previous marriages, you will also need a translation:
  • birth certificates of the children
• are required for a partner from abroad:
  • valid identity card/passport or other proof of identification
  • proof of nationality, if this is not evident from the identity card or passport
  • extended registration certificate from the registration office (not older than 4 weeks). In some municipalities, the registry office can print out the extended registration certificate for you.
  • Birth certificate
  • Certificate of no impediment to marriage
  • Foreign-language documents with translation, if not on an international form

Notes:

For partners from countries in which certificates of no impediment to marriage are issued, it is advisable to seek advice from the registry office about exemption from the obligation to present a certificate of no impediment to marriage. This is issued by the President of the Higher Regional Court. The registrar takes the application and forwards it.

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

• further documents:
  • the registry office may request further documents under certain circumstances.