Apply for a civil partnership certificate
You can apply for a civil partnership certificate at the registry office. To do so, please contact the registry office that registered the civil partnership.
The civil partnership certificate proves the establishment of a civil partnership and contains the first names and surnames at the time of establishment and at the time of issue, the place and date of birth of the civil partners and the place and date of establishment of the civil partnership.
You can request a civil partnership certificate at any time from the registry office in whose jurisdiction you have established the civil partnership.
You can obtain the civil partnership certificate in the following forms:
- Civil partnership certificate
- Certified printout from the civil partnership register
A certified printout from the civil partnership register shows all the data entered by the registry office in connection with the establishment of the civil partnership.
You will receive the certificate, including any marginal notes, either as a
- a new printout from the electronic register (if already held by your registry office) or
- as a copy or verbatim copy of the civil partnership entry from the civil partnership register.
In addition to the details, the printout also contains any subsequent changes, such as dissolution notes, if applicable
Which documents are required?
To apply for a civil partnership certificate, you will need
- Your identity card or passport (a copy if applying in writing, online you must authenticate yourself electronically with the new identity card)
- if applying or collecting by a representative: written power of attorney from the authorized person, their ID card or passport and the ID card or passport of the representative
- for other persons, proof of their legal interest
Requirements
Civil partnership certificates contain personal data, so their issue is subject to data protection restrictions.
You are entitled to apply under the following conditions:
- You are at least 16 years old
- You are one of the civil partners to whom the certificate is to relate
- You are the parents of the civil partner
- You are a child of the civil partner
Other persons, including close relatives such as siblings, aunts and uncles, will only receive a certificate if they can credibly demonstrate a legal interest (e.g. by means of a letter from the probate court).
If the civil partnership was established abroad, you must first have it certified in Germany.
What are the fees?
The costs vary depending on the federal state. Your local registry office will be happy to provide you with information.
Lower Saxony: Fee15 Euro
If the issue of several copies of acivil status certificate is requested, the fee is halved from thesecond copy, the fee is reduced by half.
Process flow
Applying in person
- An appointment at the registry office may be required for a personal application.
- You must present your identity card or passport.
- You pay the fee directly at the registry office when you apply.
In addition to yourself, a person you trust may also order and collect the certificate on your behalf. In addition to a written power of attorney, they must present your identity card or passport (original or copy) and their own identity card or passport.
Application by post
- Send an informal letter to the relevant registry office asking them to issue you with a civil partnership certificate.
- Your letter should contain the following information:
- Surname, first name
- Your registration address
- Place and date of the establishment of the civil partnership
- if known: Registry office and registration number
- the reason for the application
- If necessary, further evidence, e.g. for the legal interest
- Enclose a copy of your identity card or passport with the letter.
- You will then receive a notification of fees and the civil partnership certificate.
Online application
You can also apply online and the civil partnership certificate will then be sent to you by post.
Processing duration
Depending on the individual case
What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?
The period for updating the civil partnership register must not have expired; the period is 80 years since the civil partnership was recorded in the civil partnership register.
Applications / forms
- Forms/online services available: Yes
- Written form required: No
- Informal application possible: No
- Personal appearance necessary: No
What else should I know?
If the civil partnership data changes, for example due to a change of name or dissolution of the civil partnership, the civil partnership entry is supplemented by a subsequent certification. A new civil partnership certificate can be issued on application.
Who should I contact?
To the registry office in whose jurisdiction the civil partnership was established.
If the civil partnership was established abroad and subsequently notarized in Germany, the registry office that subsequently notarized the civil partnership issues the civil partnership certificates.
