Getting Married in Germany as a Foreigner: Step-by-Step Guide
⚡ TL;DR
Only civil marriages are legally recognised in Germany — the ceremony takes place at the Standesamt (Civil Registry Office) and takes around 30 minutes. As a foreigner, you'll need a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (Ehefähigkeitszeugnis) from your home country or an exemption from the German court. All foreign documents must be officially translated and authenticated. The process takes several weeks to months — start early. Costs range from €50 to €300 for the ceremony, plus document costs. Same-sex couples can marry in Germany since 2017.
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One Important Rule Before Anything Else
In Germany, only a civil marriage is legally recognised. A church wedding, a mosque ceremony, a traditional African wedding, or any other religious or cultural ceremony has no legal standing in Germany unless it is preceded by a civil ceremony at the Standesamt (Civil Registry Office) [1][2].
This surprises many people. The ceremony at the Standesamt is not a formality before the "real" wedding — it is the real wedding, legally speaking. If you want a church, mosque, or traditional celebration as well, you're welcome to organise that separately. But the paperwork that makes you legally married in Germany, and therefore in Europe, happens at the Standesamt.
The good news: same-sex couples can legally marry in Germany since October 2017, and foreigners can marry here whether or not they have a German residence permit — in most cities, you just need to have lived there for at least 21 days [5].
Start With Your Local Standesamt
Every district in Germany has a Standesamt, usually located in the Rathaus (Town Hall). The process begins with an appointment there — before you gather a single document [2][3].
Contact your Standesamt first and ask for the specific document list for your nationality and marital status. Requirements vary significantly between countries of origin and between different Standesamt offices. Do not rely on generic lists found online as the definitive source for your case.
The Documents You'll Need
Foreign nationals marrying in Germany generally need the following [1][2][4][5]:
For Both Partners
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Valid passport or national ID
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Birth certificate (original) — with certified German translation if not in German or English
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Proof of current address in Germany: the Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate) not older than 14 days — if you're registered in the city where you're marrying, the Standesamt can usually pull this from the system
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If previously married: certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate of former spouse, with certified translation
The Critical Document: Ehefähigkeitszeugnis
This is the document that causes the most complications for foreigners. The Ehefähigkeitszeugnis (Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage) — also called a Certificate of Single Status or Ledigkeitsbescheinigung — is issued by your home country and confirms that you are legally free to marry [1][2][4].
Not all countries issue this document, or they issue it in a form that Germany doesn't accept. This includes some African countries where no central marriage registry exists or where the document format is non-standard.
If your country does not issue this certificate, you must apply to the German Oberlandesgericht (Higher Regional Court) — via your local Standesamt — for a Befreiung vom Ehefähigkeitszeugnis (exemption from the Ehefähigkeitszeugnis). This process takes additional weeks and sometimes months [2][3].
Document Authentication
All foreign documents must be [1][2][4]:
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Officially translated into German by a sworn translator (vereidigter Übersetzer)
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Authenticated — either by Apostille (for countries that are party to the Hague Convention) or by full legalisation through the German embassy in your country
The legalisation process is handled in your home country before you submit documents to the Standesamt. Start this process as early as possible — it can take months.
The Process Step by Step
Step 1: First appointment at the Standesamt Contact your Standesamt and book an initial consultation (Beratungstermin). Bring your passports. You'll receive a personalised list of required documents for your specific nationality and situation.
Step 2: Gather and authenticate all documents Collect your documents in your home country if needed. Have them translated by a sworn translator in Germany. Get Apostilles or legalisation applied. If you need an Ehefähigkeitszeugnis, apply for it now — or apply for the exemption via the Standesamt if your country doesn't issue one [1][2].
Step 3: Submit your documents Submit the complete document set to the Standesamt. They will review everything and send the file to the relevant court if the Ehefähigkeitszeugnis exemption is needed. Expect a processing time of several weeks to months after this point.
Step 4: Book your wedding date Only after you receive confirmation that your documents have been approved can you officially book a wedding date. Do not book a venue, arrange guests, or plan a celebration until you have this confirmation. Date availability cannot be guaranteed in advance [3][5].
Step 5: The civil ceremony The ceremony itself typically lasts about 30 minutes [2]. Both partners must be present in person and declare their intent to marry. The ceremony is conducted in German — if neither of you is fluent, consider hiring a certified interpreter (the Standesamt can usually provide a list). At least two witnesses are required [1][2]. After the ceremony, you receive your marriage certificate (Heiratsurkunde).
Costs
Costs vary significantly by city and Standesamt [2][5]:
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Civil ceremony: €50–€300 (higher in large cities and for Saturday appointments)
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Marriage certificate: included in some fees, or an additional €10–€30
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Additional certificates: €10–€30 each
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Legalisation of your birth certificate: approx. €25
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Certified German translations of your documents: approx. €80–€200 depending on document count and complexity
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Interpreter (if needed): €100–€300
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If an exemption hearing at the Oberlandesgericht is required: additional weeks of processing and potential fees
Budget for at least €300–€600 in total if you're a non-German marrying in Germany, more if extensive translation or authentication is needed.
After the Wedding: What Changes
Marriage in Germany creates legal effects beyond the ceremony. Key changes to be aware of [2][4]:
Name: Under German law, you can choose a common family name or keep your own names. A name declaration (Namenserklärung) is made at the ceremony — this affects your passport and official documents.
Residence status: If your partner is German or has permanent residency, your residence situation improves — you may qualify for a spouse visa or an independent right of residence.
Tax class: Married couples in Germany can file jointly (Steuerklasse III/V combination) which typically reduces overall tax. Inform your Finanzamt after the wedding.
Health insurance: You may be able to be co-insured under your spouse's public health insurance (Familienversicherung) without extra cost, depending on your income.
Inheritance and family law: German civil law applies to property and inheritance matters for couples married in Germany. If you and your partner have different nationalities, consider speaking to a lawyer about which country's law governs your marriage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in most cities. Many Standesamt offices require that at least one partner has been a resident for a minimum period — usually at least 21 days. Some cities (Frankfurt, Munich) are more flexible. Contact the specific Standesamt in the city where you plan to marry [5].
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