Ehefähigkeitszeugnis Ausstellung

§ 12, 13, 39 Civil Status Act (PStG)
§§ 1303, 1304, 1306, 1307, 1308, 1309 German Civil Code (BGB)
§ 51 Civil Status Ordinance (PStV)

If you need a certificate of capacity to marry abroad, you can apply for it at your local registry office.

In some countries you need a certificate of no capacity to marry if you want to get married there as a German citizen.
This also applies if you are subject to German law as a stateless person, a homeless person or a foreign refugee.
The registry office at your place of residence or where you are registered will issue the certificate of capacity to marry.
If you do not have a residence in Germany, the last registry office at your previous place of residence is responsible.
If you have never been to Germany or have only been there briefly, the Registry Office I in Berlin will issue the certificate.
The certificate of capacity to marry is a certificate from the registry office that you are permitted to marry the person named in the certificate of capacity to marry under German law.

If you are a German citizen and are entering into your first marriage, you will need the following documents:

• valid identity card or passport
• current certified extract from the birth register or certified copy of the birth certificate from the registry office of your place of birth

If you were born abroad:

• Birth certificate or international birth certificate

If you have been married/partnered before:

• Marriage certificate/civil partnership certificate of the last previous marriage with dissolution note

In case of marriage/divorce abroad:

• foreign marriage certificates and legally binding divorce decrees of all previous marriages

In case of divorce in another EU country:

• Certificate pursuant to Article 39 on decisions in matrimonial cases

In case of divorce outside the EU:

• Declaratory decision of the Higher Regional Court on the recognition of a foreign decision in matrimonial matters

If your former partner has since died:

• Spouse's death certificate

A notice:
The registry office needs the documents for both partners to issue the certificate.
Foreign documents must be translated by a sworn interpreter in Germany.
Depending on the country, a translation, certification (apostille) or legalization may be necessary.

You are at least 18 years old.
You have German citizenship or are subject to German law as a stateless person, homeless person or foreign refugee.
They want to get married abroad.
The country in which you wish to marry requires you to provide a marriage certificate.

The cost of applying for a certificate of capacity to marry is EUR 68.00.
If one of the fiancés has foreign nationality, the costs are EUR 109.50.

• Before submitting an application, please contact the relevant registry office
• You will then be informed personally or in writing about the necessary documents
• Then apply for the certificate of capacity to marry in writing or in person at the relevant registry office
• The responsible registry office will review your application and documents. If necessary, it will request additional documents or information from you.
• The responsible registry office decides on your application

Depending on the complexity of the couple's case and the documents to be submitted, this can take up to several weeks.

The certificate of no capacity to marry is valid for 6 months after it is issued.

If both fiancés have German citizenship, it is often sufficient to issue only one certificate of no capacity to marry for both fiancés.
Foreign nationals who wish to marry in Germany also need a certificate of no capacity to marry.
If same-sex couples wish to marry and their home country does not allow same-sex marriage, they do not need to provide a marriage certificate.

Application for a court decision and instructions from the registry office

• Application for a certificate of no capacity to marry if Germans want to marry abroad
• also applies to stateless persons, homeless foreigners and foreign refugees
• Certificate of Eligibility is a certificate from the registry office that the applicants are allowed to marry each other under German law
• The certificate of capacity to marry is issued by the registry office at the place of residence
• If you live outside Germany, the last registry office at your previous place of residence is responsible
• No residence in Germany: Registry Office I in Berlin is responsible

District Office Harburg