Apply for a marriage certificate

Registry office in whose area the marriage was concluded.

If the marriage was concluded abroad and subsequently notarized in Germany, the registry office of the subsequent notarization issues the marriage certificate.

Marriage certificates contain personal data, so their issue is subject to data protection restrictions.

You are eligible to apply under the following conditions:

• You are at least 16 years old.
• You are the spouse to whom the certificate relates.
• You are the parents of the spouses.
• You are a child of the spouses.
• Other persons, including close relatives such as aunts and uncles, will only receive a certificate if they can credibly demonstrate a legal interest, for example by means of a letter from the probate court.

If the marriage took place abroad, a domestic birth certificate can only be issued if the marriage has been subsequently notarized in Germany. Subsequent certification is subject to certain conditions. Please contact the registry office for more information.

Online procedure possible

Written form required

Personal appearance required for oral applications

To apply for a marriage 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 for or collecting the certificate through a representative: written authorization from the authorized person, their ID card or passport and the ID card or passport of the representative,
• for other persons, including close relatives such as aunts and uncles, proof of their legal interest, for example a letter from the probate court, a court judgment or an enforceable title.

The fee for issuing a marriage certificate is 15 euros.

If several copies of a marriage certificate are requested, the fee is reduced by half from the second copy onwards.

You can apply for a marriage certificate in person or in writing.

Apply for a marriage certificate in person:

• An appointment may be required to apply in person.
• 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.

Apply for a marriage certificate in writing:

Address an informal letter to the relevant registry office requesting that a marriage certificate be issued to you.

Your letter should contain the following information:

• Surname, first name
• Your registration address
• Place and date of the marriage and, if applicable, establishment of the civil partnership
• if known: Registry office and notarization number
• the reason for the application
• If applicable, further proof, for example of legal interest

Enclose a copy of your identity card or passport with the letter.

You will then receive a notification of fees and the marriage certificate.

The time limit of 80 years for keeping the marriage register by the registry office must not have expired.

Depending on the individual case

• Information from the Federal Ministry of the Interior on civil status law

• §§ Sections 55 to 58 of the Civil Status Act (PStG)
• §§ Sections 61 to 68 of the Civil Status Act (PStG)
• §§ Sections 48 to 50 of the Ordinance on Civil Status (PStV)

Application for a court decision