Family

Registering a marriage (getting married)

To marry in Germany you give notice of marriage at the registry office (Standesamt); foreign nationals need additional documents such as a certificate of no impediment.

Last updated: 5 October 2026 · Draft – not yet editorially reviewed.

If you want to marry in Germany, you first register the marriage (Eheschließung anmelden) at the competent Standesamt. After the registration is checked, you can marry at a German Standesamt, and in many places the registration is valid for 6 months 1 2 3 4 5.

Who needs this

Couples who want to marry in Germany need to register the marriage first 1 2 3 4 5.
In Berlin, this page applies to cases without foreign involvement 1.
In Hamburg, the same procedure also applies if you want to convert a registered civil partnership into a marriage (Lebenspartnerschaft in eine Ehe umwandeln) 2.
In Munich, the page applies to marriages without foreign involvement 4.
In Stuttgart, the page applies to marriages where only German law applies or where foreign law must also be considered 5.

Step by step

Register your marriage at the competent Standesamt, usually at the main or secondary residence of one partner 1 2 3 4 5.
In Berlin, both partners normally appear in person; if one or both cannot come for an important reason, registration may be possible in writing or through a representative, with a written authorization if only one partner is absent 1.
The Standesamt checks whether the legal requirements for marriage are met 1 2 3 4 5.
After approval, you may marry within the validity period of the registration, usually 6 months 1 2 4 5.
In Cologne, your desired wedding date can be reserved before the registration 3.
In Stuttgart, online registration is available for couples with main or secondary residence in the city center 5.

Documents

Valid signed identity card or passport 1 3 4 5.
All documents must be presented in the original 1 4 5.
Marriage registration form or written registration, if required by the local Standesamt 1 2.
Current extended registration certificate or residence certificate with marital status, if required by the local Standesamt and especially if you do not live there 1 2 3.
Certified extract from the birth register or birth register copy, depending on the city and your place of birth 1 3 4.
If you were previously married or in a registered civil partnership: documents showing the previous union and its dissolution, such as an extract from the marriage register, divorce decree with finality note, or death certificate 1 2 3 4 5.
If you have joint children: children’s birth certificates; in some cases paternity acknowledgment and custody declaration 1 3 4.
If one partner is not German, some cities require additional advice and documents before you apply 1 2 4 5.
Foreign-language documents generally need a complete German translation by a sworn translator in Germany 1 2 4 5.
Some foreign public documents may also need apostille or legalisation 1 2 4 5.

Cost and time

Berlin: 45 euro for registration and checking the marriage requirements; additional fees may apply for other services 1.
Hamburg: at least 74.50 euro for the registration 2.
Cologne: 40 euro; 66 euro if one partner does not have German nationality 3.
Stuttgart: 65 euro if only German law applies; 110 euro if foreign law must be considered; 130 euro if a waiver procedure is needed 5.
In Hamburg, processing time varies by Standesamt and case 2.
In Stuttgart, processing time varies by Standesamt and case 5.
In Cologne, the city notes that the individual total can vary because of extra document and venue costs 3.

Deadlines

You can usually register the marriage no earlier than 6 months before the planned wedding date 1 2 3 4 5.
After successful registration, marriage is usually possible for 6 months; after that, you must register again 1 2 4 5.
In Berlin, the registration certificate must be no more than 14 days old on the day of application 1.
In Hamburg, the registration certificate for non-Hamburg residents may be no older than 4 weeks 2.

City by city

Berlin: both partners normally register in person at the Standesamt of the main or secondary residence; if neither lives in Germany, the Standesamt where the marriage will take place is responsible 1.
Hamburg: you register at the Standesamt of the main or secondary residence of one partner; if neither partner lives in Germany, register where you plan to marry 2.
Köln: if neither partner lives in Köln, the Standesamt at the place of residence is responsible; if both live abroad, the Standesamt Köln is responsible 3.
München: for the city districts 21, 22 and 23, only Standesamt München-Pasing is responsible; for all other districts, only Standesamt München is responsible 4.
Stuttgart: the page lists city district offices with their own opening hours and appointment rules, including online booking options for some offices 5.