Application for a certificate of no impediment to marriage for German nationals, stateless persons, homeless foreigners or foreign refugees within the meaning of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees with habitual residence in Germany

Jurisdiction lies with the municipality, the joint municipality and the city in whose jurisdiction one of the marrying persons has their domicile or habitual residence.

If the person entering into the marriage has neither domicile nor habitual residence in Germany, the place of the last habitual residence is decisive.

If the person entering into the marriage has only stayed in Germany temporarily, the registry office I in Berlin is responsible in accordance with Section 39 (1) of the Civil Status Act (PStG).

The application for a certificate of no impediment to marriage requires German citizenship.

You can also apply for 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 relating to the Status of Refugees with habitual residence in Germany and you require the certificate of no impediment to marriage to marry abroad.

Forms available: Yes, at the registry office

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance necessary: Yes

Online services available: Yes

• Proof of identity, nationality and parentage, marital status and, if applicable, dissolution of previous marriage(s)
• All documents must be submitted in the original. The registry office will provide information on the form in which the documents can be used (e.g. with an apostille or legalization).

Fee for issuing the certificate of no impediment to marriageAmount(even if the application is rejected):

EUR 50.00 - Advance payment: No

Amount of costs (variable): plus EUR 40 if a foreign decision in marriage or civil partnership matters is reviewed by the registry office, if a determination by the state justice administration is not required in accordance with Section 107 (1) sentence 1 FamFG,

Amount of costs (variable): plus EUR 40 if an application for recognition of a foreign decision in matrimonial matters is submitted to the state administration of justice.

The amount of the fees is determined by the Lower Saxony Ordinance on Fees and Expenses for Official Acts and Services (General Schedule of Fees - AllGO)

Apply for the certificate to be issued at a German registry office.

• Find out from the foreign registry office where you are getting married whether a German certificate of no impediment to marriage is required
• Apply to the German registry office for the form for issuing the certificate of no impediment to marriage (application form).
• The registrar will prepare the application and advise you.prepares the application and advises you on the documents still required in individual cases.
• The registrar will then examines and decides on the outcome of your application and issues the certificate of no impediment to marriage after a successful examination.

Online application:

• To enable the registry office to confirm your eligibility to marry under German law, enter your personal details in the online form and upload the required supporting documents. This will enable the registry office to contact you after an initial review of your application and inform you which documents must be submitted in the original.
• Please note that you will incur fees for the application in accordance with the scale of fees. If the certificate of no impediment to marriage is sent by post, additional postage costs may apply. The postage costs may only be charged afterwards. The costs will be higher if the certificate is sent abroad.

The certificate of no impediment to marriage is valid for six months.

• Article 13 Introductory Act to the German Civil Code (EG-BGB)
• § Section 1303 of the German Civil Code (BGB)
• §§ 1306 ff. German Civil Code (BGB)
• Article 12 Geneva Refugee Convention (GRC)
• § Section 12 (3) of the Civil Status Act (PStG)
• § Section 39 of the Civil Status Act (PStG)

Application for a court decision

Deadline: 1 month