INFOYER I German Wiki - Marriage in Germany
Congratulations! Are you planning to get married in Germany? Get here all the necessary informations in order to get married in Germany. You don´t must have a permanent residence in Germany in order to get married in Germany. The competent authority called Registry Office (= Standesamt). If you decide to get married in Germany, your first point of contact should be your embassy or consulate and the corresponding registry office. The registration at the registry office can be applied at least 6 months before the planned wedding date.
Below find out what steps are needed to get married in Germany.
Marriage in Germany: Bureaucratic hindrance
Foreign national marriages depend on mostly two things: marital status and country of origin.
The required documents must be translated in German and must not be older than six months. These translations must be made by a sworn interpreter or certified by a lawyer. People who had been married must submit a certificate of divorce or death certificate of the former spouse.
Standard requirements- Both partners must be present
- Passport
- Birth Certificate (Original)
- Proof of Residence for at least three weeks
- The wedding ceremony will be conducted in German, so an interpreter is advisable
- Filled marriage questionnaire (please collect it from Standesamt) must be handed over to person in Standesamt
- Certificate of free status is required (Ehefähigkeitszeugnis; you can have this from your embassy)
- Statement of being Single (Ledigkeitszeugnis)
- If married before, the necessary decree must be submitted
- Since 1998 witnesses are no longer required, however up to two witnesses can be appointed
- The fees may vary between 100 to 200 Euros and may cost extra during the application process. Please visit nearest Standesamt for updated information.
- Financial Statement.
Marriage in Germany: Glossary to help with marriage terms
Englisch | German |
banquet | das Bankett |
banquet hall | der Festsaal |
best man | der Trauzeuge |
bride | die Braut |
groom | der Bräutigam |
bridesmaid | die Brautjungfer |
celebration | die Feier |
church | die Kirche |
church bells | die Kirchglocken |
confetti | das Konfetti |
the couple | das Ehepaar |
guest | der Gast |
honeymoon | die Flitterwochen
die Hochzeitsreise |
jewelry | der Schmuck |
love | die Liebe |
marriage | die Heirat |
marriage certificate | die Heiratsurkunde |
to marry | heiraten |
photographer | der Fotograf |
present | das Geschenk |
priest | der Priester |
ring pillow | das Ringkissen |
speech | die Rede |
union | die Verbindung |
wedding | die Hochzeit |
wedding ceremony | die Trauung |
wedding reception | der Hochzeitsempfang |
wedding ring | der Ehering |
wedding dress | das Hochzeitskleid |
wedding cake | der Hochzeitskuchen |
wedding vows | das Eheversprechen |
wedding veil | der Brautschleier |
wedding march | der Hochzeitsmarsch |
witness | der Zeuge |