It used to be called “Order the Squad”. Even if this is no longer said today, the registry office must check whether the legal requirements for your marriage have been met. Read about everything that needs to be done so that everything goes well with your wedding on the agreed date.
Step 1: Find a compromise
First, think about when and where you want to get married. Marriage registration is valid for six months. This means you can register your marriage at least six months before your desired date. If you want to get married on a popular date, like November 11th, go ahead. Find out if the registry office also accepts reservations for appointments.
Step 2: Contact the registry office
It doesn’t matter where you later want to get married: you must register your marriage at the registry office where you or your partner have a primary or secondary residence. The wedding can then take place at a registry office of your choice. Registry offices’ websites provide information on how to proceed, for example, whether marriage registration should be done verbally or in writing. Contact the registry office and ask what documents you need to present. This depends on your living situation.
Step 3: Prepare documents
Compile the necessary documents. As a German citizen, you need your identity card or passport. A so-called extended registration certificate is also required, which also shows, for example, your marital status. You will receive the registration certificate from the local government registration office. You will also need a certified copy of the birth registration, recently issued by the registry office at the place of birth. It must be no more than six months old when you register. Other documents are necessary if someone has already been married, has custody of children from a previous marriage, was naturalized or was born abroad.
Step 4: Register in person
If you have to register the marriage in person, you will need an appointment that you can make at the registry office. If one or both cannot attend for an important reason, one partner may authorize the other or both partners to authorize someone else. Forms are available online. When you register the marriage, the registrar will also discuss the details of the ceremony with you.
Step 5: Pay the costs
Marriage registration costs are not uniform. For example, in Berlin they cost from 45 euros, in Hamburg from 67 euros and in Cologne from 40 euros. The occurrence of additional costs depends, among other things, on the intensity of the administrative effort in the individual case. Ask at the registry office.
Tip: And what happens after the wedding? At least cheap! Read our Special separation of spouse how you can significantly save on taxes and on Special weddings all about the benefits of marriage.
Everything you need to know about marriage in one book
Our guide covers in detail all the important legal and financial questions that arise before going to the registry office and during the wedding To challenge. The book has 176 pages, costs 19.90 euros (free delivery) and as an e-book 14.99 euros.