Marriage Abroad; Applying for Subsequent Registration in the German Marriage Registry

A marriage that took place abroad can be retroactively registered by filing an application with the competent civil registry office if one of the spouses holds German citizenship at the time the application is filed. The spouses are eligible to file the application; if both are deceased, their parents and children are eligible.

The registry office responsible for the registration is the one within whose jurisdiction the person eligible to file the application resides, last resided, or has their habitual residence. If no jurisdiction can be determined based on this, Registry Office I in Berlin will register the marriage.

Retroactive registration of a marriage is possible for

• German citizens
• stateless persons, stateless foreigners, and foreign refugees with habitual residence in Germany

Those eligible to apply are

• the spouses themselves
• if both have died, their parents and children

• A foreign marriage certificate is required.
  The relevant civil registry office will be happy to advise you on any additional documents that may be required.

• Registration in the marriage registry: 55.00 EUR
  Additional costs may apply depending on the individual case. The relevant civil registry office will be happy to advise you.
• Marriage certificate / certified copy from the marriage registry: 12.00 EUR