If you were married abroad and at least one of you has German citizenship, you can have your marriage certified in Germany. The date of application
is decisive for German citizenship.
The marriage must have been validly concluded in the country where you were married. German law must not preclude the marriage.

The following persons are eligible to apply:

• The spouses
• If both spouses are deceased, their parents and children

Depends on the individual case.

• If you are resident in Germany, the registry office of the place where you are or were last resident or where you have your habitual residence is responsible.
• Otherwise, the registry office I in Berlin is responsible.
   

• Foreign marriage certificate or marriage license, if applicable with certification by the competent foreign authority (apostille) or legalization by the German diplomatic mission abroad
• Valid identity card, passport, or travel document
• Certified copies of birth certificates from the registry offices of the places of birth
  • If the spouses were born in Germany
• Birth certificates certified by the competent foreign authority (apostille) or legalized by the German diplomatic mission abroad
  • If the spouses were born abroad
• Translations of all documents in a foreign language by translators sworn in Germany
• If applicable, naturalization certificate or citizenship certificate
• Proof of the establishment and dissolution of all civil partnerships
  • Only required if one spouse has previously entered into a registered civil partnership
• Certified copy from the marriage register of the last previous marriage with a note of dissolution
  • Only required if one spouse has been married before. Alternatively, or in the case of a previous marriage abroad: proof of the conclusion and dissolution of all previous marriages. For example, marriage certificates, death certificates, all divorce decrees – complete and with a note from the court stating when the decree became final ("legal force note").
• If applicable, recognition of the foreign divorce by the president of the higher regional court
  • Only required if one spouse has been married before.
• Additional documents
  • Additional documents may be required in individual cases.

The subsequent registration of a marriage concluded abroad costs between €75 and €140. The amount of the fee depends on the administrative costs involved.

• Card payment (debit, credit, Visa, Mastercard, etc.)
• Mobile payments
• Cash payments are not possible!