General information

If you get married in Germany, you get a German marriage certificate. German authorities generally accept this without any problem.

If you got married abroad, the foreign marriage certificate serves as proof of this. However, German authorities may ask for specific proof of its authenticity or admissibility as evidence (e.g. apostille, legalisation, document verification). Further information on the use of foreign documents in Germany can be found here.

A marriage that took place abroad is generally recognised in Germany provided it meets the relevant legal criteria. Further information on getting married in the United Kingdom can be found here.

You got married abroad and wish to obtain a German marriage certificate? German nationals who marry abroad can also have their marriage retrospectively registered in the German marriage register.

A German marriage certificate can have many benefits. It provides proof of the validity of the marriage in Germany and of the married name the couple use. Furthermore, German authorities do not need any proofs of authenticity like apostilles or translations if a German marriage certificate is available.

If the couple do not wish to adopt a joint married name, the application for registration of the marriage can also be filed by one spouse only.

Can I file the name declaration as part of the application for registration of the marriage?

You can file a name declaration specifying a joint married name when you register the marriage (page 3 of the application form). A separate declaration form is not required.

Detailed information on naming law and name declarations can be found here.

In this case, both spouses have to attend the appointment in person.

What documents are required?

If you want to start preparing what you need for your application, please first read our information about the process involved here.

If you wish to retrospectively register your marriage that took place abroad, the following documents are required:

• Cover letter
• Application form filled out in full and in legible writing – please write normally (not block capitals), and do not sign the form yet
  If you wish to file a name declaration, you must opt for one legal basis only! A separate declaration form is not necessary. If no name declaration is required, please leave that section (page 3 of the form) blank.
• Valid passports or ID cards of both spouses (the ID page of the passports is all that is needed) and, for Germans who are not also British citizens, proof of residential status in the United Kingdom
• Proof of the German nationality of one spouse, e.g. German identity document (German passport or ID card), certificate of naturalisation or certificate of nationality
  Please note: If you do not have proof of this kind, before you apply to file a name declaration please contact our citizenship team using the contact form: Citizenship
• Birth certificates of both spouses
  • If born in Germany, an up-to-date excerpt from the birth register is required instead of the birth certificate
  • If born in the United Kingdom, the long version that includes the names of the parents is required
• Marriage certificate
• Decree absolute, if you and/or your spouse were divorced prior to your marriage
  If the German spouse was previously married and the divorce was granted abroad, it is essential you read the information on recognition of foreign divorces on the following page: Marriage-related matters
  • In the case of a divorce in an EU country (with the exception of Denmark) after 1 March 2001, you need to submit a Certificate as referred to in Art. 39 (Annex I) of Council Regulation (EC) No. 2201/2003. To obtain the certificate you have to apply to the court that granted the divorce. In the United Kingdom the certificate is also known as Form D180.
  • In the case of a divorce in a third country, i.e. not Germany or a European Union member state, the registry office may, when processing your application, ask for the formal divorce recognition. We advise you to get the divorce recognised before you apply to file the name declaration.
• Death certificate of former spouse, if you and/or your spouse were widowed prior to your marriage
• If applicable, marriage certificates or civil partnership certificates for all previous marriages or registered civil partnerships
• Birth certificates of any joint children – it is the long version that is needed, which also includes the names of the parents
• Translations of all foreign-language documents (not usually required in the case of international multilingual or English-language birth and marriage certificates)
• Proof of residence in the United Kingdom (e.g. council tax bill or utility bill)
• Certificate of deregistration from Germany or an up-to-date registration certificate from your (last) German place of residence, if applicable
• If applicable, proof of name used in the marriage/civil partnership (e.g. certificate from the German registry office showing the name used)

How do I submit my application?

PLAIN COPIES (not the originals!) of the documents listed must be sent BY POST to the Embassy in London or the Consulate General in Edinburgh before you book an appointment. Click here for details of what the process involves.

The originals of the documents listed above only need to be presented at your appointment.

Additional documents may be required, depending on the case, and the registry office may ask you for them after you have submitted your application. In particular, you may be asked for German translations of documents (including English-language ones). In addition, apostilles are increasingly being required on foreign documents. Click here for information on applying for apostilles on British documents.

Further guidance on registrations (processing time, fees) can be found here.