Außer Kraft - Begründung einer Lebenspartnerschaft Beurkundung von im Ausland begründeten Lebenspartnerschaften Deutscher mit Inlandswohnsitz

If you have established a civil partnership abroad (within the meaning of the Civil Partnership Act), you can apply to the registry office in your home town for this to be subsequently recorded in the German civil partnership register.

As a rule, properly issued civil partnership certificates from abroad are recognised in Germany. There is no obligation to subsequently certify them.

However, the subsequent entry in the register of civil partnerships can be advantageous because the local registry office can then issue you with a German civil partnership certificate. Any translations and certifications of the foreign certificate will therefore no longer be necessary in future.

• Certificate of the civil partnership established abroad, if necessary with certification by the competent foreign authority (apostille) or legalisation by the German diplomatic mission abroad
• valid identity card, passport or travel permit
• if applicable, certificate of naturalization, citizenship certificate
• Translations of all documents in foreign languages by sworn translators in Germany

in case of birth of the life partner in Germany

• the birth certificates

in the case of birth of the partners abroad

• the birth certificates with certification by the competent foreign authority (apostille) or legalisation by the German diplomatic mission abroad

in the case of a previous civil partnership:

• Evidence of the establishment and dissolution of all civil partnerships - for example, civil partnership certificates, death certificates, judgments on the dissolution of civil partnerships

in the case of a previous marriage

• certified copy from the marriage register of the last previous marriage with notice of dissolution.
• Alternatively, or in the case of a previous marriage abroad: proof of the conclusion and dissolution of all previous marriages - e.g. marriage certificates, death certificates, all divorce decrees (complete and with a note by the court as to when the decree became final / "final decree note")
• if applicable, recognition of the foreign divorce by the President of the Higher Regional Court

A civil partnership established abroad can only be entered in the German civil partnership register if it has been legally established. Furthermore, it must not contradict German law.

The subsequent certification of the civil partnership is possible for:

• German nationals
• Stateless persons, homeless foreigners or foreign refugees with habitual residence in Germany.

Persons entitled to apply:

• each civil partner
• are both deceased
  • their parents and
  • their children

The fee depends on the nationality of the partners when they entered into the civil partnership.

• Notarisation of a civil partnership established abroad
  • if both partners are German nationals: 60.00 to 80.00 euros
  • for foreign citizenship
    • of one partner: 90,00 to 110,00 Euro
    • of both partners: 110,00 to 130,00 Euro

• Notarisation or certification of a declaration, consent or agreement to the use of a name on the basis of family law regulations: 25.00 Euro
• Copy of the certificate of civil partnership:
  • one copy: 10,00 Euro
  • each additional copy, if applied for at the same time: 5,00 Euro

Details about the modalities and the documents that the registry office requires from you in detail, you can ask there in advance by phone.

• Compile the necessary documents and visit the registry office.
• The registrar will check whether it is possible to have the marriage recorded by a German registry office.
• If the requirements are met, the entry can be made in the register of civil partnerships.

If required, the registry office will issue you with a certificate of civil partnership after the registration has been made.

Civil partnerships established abroad can be entered in a German civil partnership register. The relevant registry office will then issue you with civil partnership certificates on application.

if you are domiciled in Germany: the registry office of the place where you live or usually reside

the registry office of the place where you live or usually stay