So you've been dating a German or another expat in Germany for a while and finally want to get things on the paper. This guide will help you register your partnership as an expat in Germany.
Germany places a high value on relationships and family. Expatriates may already have noticed the several laws, as well as the financial and mental support provided by the country’s social security system when it comes to family and children.
Is it easy for expats to get married in Germany?
In Germany, you must be at least 18 years old to get married. There are a few extra things to consider if you or your partner is not German. If you wish to give notice of your intention to marry, you must have lived in the town where you plan to get married for at least 21 days before visiting the town hall.
It is usually not possible for foreigners who are on a visitor visa to get married in Germany. It is instead necessary for them to obtain a visa that is longer than 3 months. Normally, if you marry a German citizen, you will be able to acquire a residence permit - if you don't have one already.
If you want to get married in Germany, make sure you start planning at least 18 months in advance.
Documents required to register a marriage in Germany
Generally you only need the following documents to register your marriage in Germany. However, please note that the registration office may ask you to present additional documentation if that's necessary. This is a case by case scenario.
A valid passport
Birth certificates
Proof of continuous residence in Germany for at least 21 days (Meldebescheinigung)
Ledigkeitsbescheinigung (Affidavit confirming that both parties are single)
If applicable, birth certificates of the couple's children
Application and questionnaire from the Standesamt
Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) (Befreiung vom Ehefähigkeitszeugnis)
A copy of a marriage certificate from a previous marriage
Death certificate of the previous spouse (if applicable)
Confirmation of name change (if applicable)
Financial statement
How much does it cost to get married in Germany?
You need only calculate the fee for the registrar, the fee for the registration, and the fee for a translator if necessary if you are only registering the marriage in Germany. Though this would be different from state to state, you can expect anywhere between 50€ to 200€,
When planning a wedding ceremony, the cost will depend on the style of the ceremony, the location, and the number of guests you invite. As we calculate from different forums on the internet, the cost can range from just a couple of thousand euros to more than a hundred thousand euros if you wish to go luxurious.
Some couples choose to have their wedding day organized by a wedding planner. Although it may cost more, this will help you run things much smoother as an expat; especially if you don't understand the language.
Anyway, a regular wedding in Germany commonly costs between €8000 and €20,000.
Final thoughts
In addition to the time it takes to get all these documents sorted, you will need to factor in a waiting time of anywhere from six months to a year and a half, depending on your personal case as well as the town you choose to register your marriage. It is more likely that the waiting period will be much lower in a smaller city, based on our friends' experience.
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