Are you recognized as a stateless person, a foreign national without a country of origin, or a foreign refugee with habitual residence in Germany, and did you get married abroad? If so, after getting married abroad, you can apply to a German civil registry office to have your marriage registered retroactively.

The marriage must have been validly entered into in the country where you were married. German law must not preclude the marriage.

The registry office

• in your place of residence or
• the place where you last resided, or
• the place of your habitual residence.

• Form: Application for the Registration of a Marriage Performed Abroad
• Foreign marriage certificate with translation; legalization or apostille, if applicable
• Valid ID card, passport, or travel document
• Birth certificates of the spouse
• Certificate of naturalization or proof of citizenship, if applicable
• If applicable, additional documents with proof of authenticity and, if necessary, a translation, depending on the individual case

You must submit all documents in their original form.

In Lower Saxony, the fees are set forth in the Lower Saxony Regulation on Fees and Expenses for Official Acts and Services (General Schedule of Fees—AllGO

The cost of certifying a marriage abroad pursuant to § 34(1) of the PStG varies. Initially, fixed fees in the amount of 50 euros are charged.

For each foreign law that must be observed pursuant to Article 13(1) or Article 17b(1), first sentence, in conjunction with paragraph (4), first sentence, of the Introductory Act to the Civil Code, an additional 40 euros is charged,

For the review of a foreign decision in matrimonial or civil partnership matters by the registry office, if a determination by the State Justice Administration pursuant to Section 107(1), first sentence, of the Family Proceedings Act (FamFG) is not required, plus 40 euros,

Upon filing an application for recognition of a foreign decision in matrimonial matters with the State Justice Administration, plus 40 euros.

For Lower Saxony, the fees are set forth in the Lower Saxony Ordinance on Fees and Expenses for Official Acts and Services (General Schedule of Fees—AllGO

The amount of the fees for the registration of a marriage abroad pursuant to Section 34(1) of the Civil Status Act (PStG) varies. Initially, fixed fees in the amount of 50 euros are charged.

For each foreign law that must be observed pursuant to Article 13(1) or Article 17b(1), first sentence, in conjunction with paragraph (4), first sentence, of the Introductory Act to the Civil Code, plus 40 euros,

For the review of a foreign decision in matrimonial or civil partnership matters by the registry office, if a determination by the State Justice Administration pursuant to Section 107(1), first sentence, of the Family Proceedings Act (FamFG) is not required, plus 40 euros,

Upon forwarding an application for recognition of a foreign decision in matrimonial matters to the State Justice Administration, plus 40 euros.