The registry office in whose area one of the fiancées has their main or secondary residence is responsible for registering the marriage. However, you also have the option of getting married at another registry office. Please indicate this when registering the marriage so that this registry office can then be "authorized" to perform the marriage.

An appointment must be made in advance to register the marriage.

• Certified copy from the register of births: You can obtain this from your birth registry office if you were born in Germany. Otherwise you will need your birth certificate.
• Certificate of residence. You can obtain this from the registration office of your place of residence.
• If you already have children together, their birth certificate(s) or certified copies from the child's birth register, acknowledgement of paternity and, if applicable, a declaration of joint custody.
• Was one partner previously married? Marriage certificate of the previous marriage with annulment note.
• If one of the partners is a foreign national, it is advisable to ask the relevant registry office in person for the necessary documents and how to proceed.

In individual cases, further documents may also be required for German couples (e.g. if one partner was not born in Germany). It is therefore also advisable to enquire about the specific documents required at the relevant registry office before registering.