Ehefähigkeitszeugnis Ausstellung

Marriage abroad

With the certificate of marriageability, the issuing registry office certifies that there are no legal impediments to the marriage of the two persons listed on the certificate of marriageability under German law.

• for foreign nationals: proof of marital status (certificate of family status)

  Important: Foreign documents may have to be legalised or provided with an apostille by the German representation in the issuing country (information on this can be obtained from the registry office).

• current, certified copy of the birth register (at birth in Germany)
• Proof of prehensile strength and its dissolution
• Birth certificate (if born abroad) with German translation or as international certificate
• valid identity card/passport/ID document
• Extended registration certificate from the competent authority of residence with proof of marital status and nationality

For this reason, documents of both fiancés are required. The registry office checks the marriage requirements of both fiancés. This examination may take several weeks after receipt of all required documents. Therefore, contact your registry office in good time before the marriage abroad. At the moment, the average processing time is 6 weeks.

The issuance of a certificate of marriageability is only necessary if the foreign state requires it. Information can be obtained from the respective foreign missions.

The registrar's office in whose district the applicant resides or, in the case of residence abroad, in whose district the applicant last resided, is responsible for issuing the certificate of marriageability.

Documents in a foreign language must be submitted with a complete translation prepared by a document translator licensed in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Required documents

for the foreign national:

• if born abroad: birth certificate (with German translation or international document) ; if born in Germany: current, certified excerpt from the birth register
• If applicable, proof of dissolution of previous marriage/premarriages (if applicable, certified copy from the family register)
• Certificate of registration or residence from the relevant registration office, also in the case of residence abroad
• Proof of marital status (certificate of marital status)
• Valid proof of identification (e.g. valid passport/identity card)

Foreign documents may have to be legalized or apostilled by the German representation in the country of issue (information on this can be obtained from the registry office).

for the German citizen:

• Current, certified excerpt from the birth register
• If applicable, proof of the dissolution of the previous marriage/premarriages (if applicable, certified copy from the family register of the last marriage, which is continued as a marriage entry)
• Registration certificate (if applicable, deregistration certificate in case of residence abroad)
• valid identity card or passport