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Procedure descriptions
Certificate of no impediment to marriage - apply for issue
In some countries, Germans who wish to marry abroad need a "certificate of no impediment to marriage". This confirms that a marriage is authorised under German law.
In some countries, a certificate from the German consulate is required in addition to the certificate of no impediment to marriage issued by the German registry office.
Foreign nationals who wish to marry in Germany also need a certificate of no impediment to marriage.
In this certificate, the competent home authority confirms that there is no legal impediment to marriage.
If the certificate cannot be issued, you must apply for an exemption from the President of the Higher Regional Court. If same-sex couples wish to marry and the home state does not provide for same-sex marriage, a certificate of no impediment to marriage does not have to be presented.
A certificate of no impediment to marriage is valid for six months.
Responsible authority
the registry office of the municipality in which you have your place of residence or habitual abode
Note: Are you no longer resident in Germany?
Then the registry office of the municipality in which you last habitually resided is responsible. If you did not previously have a place of residence in Germany, you must contact the registry office I in Berlin.
Details
Prerequisite
The spouses
- must be of legal age,
- must be unmarried or not already in a registered civil partnership and
- must not be related in a direct line (e.g. parents and children) or be siblings or half-siblings.
Procedure
You must apply for the certificate of no impediment in person or in writing.
Tip: Ask your registry office in which languages the certificate of no impediment to marriage can be issued. Depending on the country of use, a translation, over-certification (apostille) or legalisation may or may not be required.
Deadlines
You must apply for the certificate of no impediment to marriage before the marriage.
Plan for the German registry office to check your eligibility to marry and for the registry office abroad to carry out further checks.
Required documents
- valid identity card or passport
- extended registration certificate from the registration office: It must not be older than four weeks. It should not be confused with residence permits for foreign nationals. In some municipalities, the registry office can print out the extended registration certificate for you. A simple registration certificate is not sufficient.
- Birth certificate or
- a certified printout from the register of births (if the birth was notarised in Germany) or
- a certified copy from the birth register
The competent authority may request further documents such as the naturalisation certificate. Which documents the future foreign spouse must submit (about marital status, previous marriages and their dissolution, birth certificate, etc.) varies from country to country.
It is essential that you seek personal advice from the relevant office in advance.
Costs
- if only German law is to be observed: EUR 65.00
- if foreign law is to be observed, regardless of nationality: EUR 110.00
Note: You may incur further costs and fees at the registry office or at the judicial authorities, for example for apostilles, interpreters or translators.
Processing time
depends on the individual case
Miscellaneous
none
Legal basis
Personenstandsgesetz (PStG)
- § 39 - Ehefähigkeitszeugnis
Verordnung zur Ausführung des Personenstandsgesetzes (PStV)
- § 51 - Mehrsprachiges Ehefähigkeitszeugnis
Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB)
- § 1309 - Ehefähigkeitszeugnis für Ausländer
Verordnung des Innenministeriums zur Durchführung des Personenstandsgesetzes (PStG-DVO)
- § 5 - Erhebung von Gebühren und Auslagen, in Verbindung mit Anlage 1 (Gebührenverzeichnis)
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Innenministerium Baden-Württemberg, 23.05.2024