If you're considering getting married in Germany, prepare for a very different experience than you might expect if you’re used to the streamlined processes in the United States. Here in Germany, there’s no such thing as a quick Vegas-style wedding. In fact, due to the complexity of the process—especially if one or both of you aren’t German citizens—many couples opt to get married in nearby Denmark, where the requirements are often less tedious.
But if you’re set on a German wedding, here’s a guide to help you navigate this journey and hopefully make it smoother.
1. Register Your Address
First things first: if you're living in Germany, register your address with your city immediately with your city. This is known as an Anmeldung, and it’s required by law within the first two weeks of moving to a new address. Without this registration, you’ll be unable to make appointments, including the ones you need to get married.
2. Schedule an Appointment at the Standesamt
The Standesamt, or civil registry office, is where all German marriages must legally occur. This office handles all registrations for births, marriages, and deaths, and it’s where your official wedding ceremony will take place. Depending on your city, finding an available appointment can take weeks or even months. I contacted the Standesamt in Freiburg in early April, but didn’t get an appointment until June—so plan ahead!
3. Secure an Appointment with the Ausländerbehörde
If you’re not a German citizen, your next priority should be setting up an appointment with your local Ausländerbehörde, or immigration office, to make sure your visa and residency status are in order. This is crucial, as your wedding process could extend beyond the standard 90-day visa period.
Pro Tip: Have all your documents ready for the Ausländerbehörde. You’ll need items like biometric photos, passports, residence registration (Anmeldung), and any other documentation they may specify. Some offices let you book appointments online, while others may require you to wait in line for a number.
4. Gather Your Documentation for the Standesamt
The documentation needed for a German marriage can be extensive. Here’s what we needed:
Original birth certificates
Passport copies
Affidavit of marital status (can be completed at the appointment)
Official translations of all documents into German
Finding an official translator can be both costly and time-consuming. We paid around 600 euros for translations alone—definitely a surprise expense. So, be prepared to budget for this.
5. Consider Hiring a Translator for the Ceremony
If you’re not fluent in German, you may need an official translator for your Standesamt appointments and ceremony. Although I was able to manage with my B1-level German, the Standesamt does require fluency, so it’s worth hiring a translator if you have any doubts about your language skills.
6. Processing Time with the Higher Court
After your initial Standesamt appointment, your documents are sent to the Higher Court for processing. This can take several weeks (in our case, 10 weeks, which was the maximum time they quoted). The cost of this step is usually based on your income, so be prepared for additional fees at the appointment.
7. Booking Your Ceremony at the Rathaus
Once your paperwork is processed and approved, the Standesamt will contact you to schedule your official wedding ceremony at the Rathaus (town hall). This is a short, formal ceremony led by a civil servant, typically lasting 10-15 minutes, after which you can exchange rings and take photos.
Final Thoughts
In total, this process took us about seven months and almost 1000 euros in fees, translations, and appointments. Sometimes, even after the official ceremony, many German couples choose to have a separate celebratory event since only civil servants can officiate legally binding marriages in Germany.
For those planning to get married here, stay organized, be prepared for bureaucratic hoops, and start early. And if you’re not up for this level of paperwork, there’s always Denmark!
Best,
Hailey
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