Application for the issuance of a certificate of no impediment to marriage for German nationals, stateless persons, homeless foreigners or foreign refugees within the meaning of the Convention on the Status of Refugees with Habitual Residence in Germany
If you want to marry abroad as a German citizen, the requirements for marriage are determined by German law.
You can also apply for the issuance of a German certificate of no impediment to marriage if you are a stateless person, a homeless foreigner or a foreign refugee within the meaning of the Convention on the Status of Refugees with Habitual Residence in Germany and you need the certificate of no impediment to marriage for marriage abroad.
This regulation is intended to prevent marriage from being recognized abroad, but not in Germany. Especially for possible future children, it is of great importance that a marriage contracted abroad is also recognized in the country of origin of the German parent.
The certificate of no impediment to marriage confirms that there is no impediment to marriage under German law.
The German certificate of no impediment to marriage is valid for a period of six months.
Apply for the issuance at a German registry office.
- Find out from the foreign office of your marriage whether a German certificate of no impediment to marriage is required
- Apply for the form for the issuance of the certificate of no impediment to marriage (application form) at the German registry office.
- The registrar prepares the application and advises you on any documents you may still need.
- The registrar examines and decides on the outcome of your application and, after successful examination, issues the certificate of no impediment to marriage.
Online application:
- In order for the registry office to be able to confirm your capacity to marry under German law, enter your personal data in the online form and upload the necessary evidence. Thus, after an initial review of your application, the registry office will be able to contact you and tell you which documents must be presented in the original.
- Please note that you will incur fees in accordance with the fee schedule when applying. If the certificate of no impediment to marriage is delivered by post, additional shipping costs may be incurred. The shipping costs may only be charged afterwards. When shipping abroad, the costs are correspondingly higher.
The jurisdiction lies with the municipality, the joint municipality and the city in whose area of responsibility one of the spouses has his domicile or habitual abode.
If the spouse has neither domicile nor habitual residence in Germany, the place of last habitual residence is decisive.
If the spouse has only temporarily resided in Germany, the registry office I in Berlin is responsible according to § 39 paragraph 1 of the Civil Status Act (PStG).
The application for the issuance of a certificate of no impediment to marriage requires possession of German citizenship.
You can also apply for the issuance of a German certificate of no impediment to marriage if you are a stateless person, a homeless foreigner or a foreign refugee within the meaning of the Convention on the Status of Refugees with Habitual Residence in Germany and you need the certificate of no impediment to marriage for marriage abroad.
- Proof of identity, nationality and parentage, marital status and, if applicable, dissolution of the previous marriage(s)
- All documents must be submitted in the original. The registry office provides information on the form in which (e.g. with apostille or legalisation) the documents can be used.
Fee for the issuance of the certificate of no impediment to marriageAmount (even if the application is rejected):
EUR 50,00 - Payment in advance: No
Amount of costs (variable): plus 40 euros in the event of a review of a foreign decision in matrimonial or civil partnership matters by the registry office, if it is not necessary for the State Administration of Justice to make a determination pursuant to § 107 (1) sentence 1 FamFG,
Amount of costs (variable): plus 40 euros if an application for recognition of a foreign judgment in matrimonial matters is submitted to the State Administration of Justice.
The amount of the fees results from the Lower Saxony Ordinance on Fees and Expenses for Official Acts and Services (General Fee Schedule - AllGO)
The certificate of no impediment to marriage is valid for six months.
Forms available: Yes, at the registry office
Written form required: No
Informal application possible: Yes
Personal appearance required: Yes
Online services available: Yes
Application for a court decision
Deadline: 1 month
Lower Saxony Ministry of the Interior and Sport
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
