Marriage of foreigners in Germany

Marriage of Foreigners in Germany: Laws, Conditions, and Step-by-Step Procedures

In today’s culturally diverse and socially open Germany, marriages involving foreign nationals – whether between two foreigners or between a foreigner and a German citizen – have become common, especially in major cities and regions with large migrant communities.
However, such marriages do not take place spontaneously or automatically. They are subject to precisely regulated legal procedures designed to ensure that the relationship is genuine and that all formal requirements are met.

In this article, you will find a detailed guide to the marriage of foreigners in Germany – from basic conditions to required documents and the key points to keep in mind so that the German authorities legally recognize the marriage.

Who falls under the category “marriage of foreigners”?

The term “marriage of foreigners” in Germany generally covers the following constellations:

Marriage between two non-German nationals (foreigner × foreigner)
Marriage between a foreign national and a German citizen
Marriage between a foreigner living in Germany and a foreigner living abroad

All these scenarios are legally possible, but they involve slightly different requirements and procedures, depending on the parties’ nationalities and residence status.

Is marriage between foreigners permitted in Germany?

Yes. German law permits marriage between foreign nationals, provided that the general rules for a civil marriage are fulfilled. These rules apply equally to all nationalities:

The minimum age for marriage is 18 years
The marriage must be voluntary, without coercion
Both parties must currently be legally unmarried
Each party must submit the required official documents

Where is the marriage concluded?

The marriage must be formally concluded at the Standesamt (civil registry office) in the city or municipality where one of the partners resides.
A religious ceremony alone is not legally recognized in Germany unless the marriage is first registered at the Standesamt.

Documents required from foreigners to marry in Germany

The specific documents vary according to nationality, but generally the following are required:

Valid passport
Birth certificate, translated into German and certified
Certificate of single status or certificate of no impediment to marry (Ehefähigkeitszeugnis) from the country of origin
Certificate of residence (Meldebescheinigung), if the person is already living in Germany
Divorce decree or death certificate of a former spouse, translated and legalized, if either party has been married before
Proof of legal residence status (visa, residence permit, etc.)

Some Standesämter may require the foreign documents to be legalized with an apostille or via the German embassy. Translations usually have to be done by a court-sworn / certified translator in Germany.

Step-by-step: How foreigners marry in Germany

Schedule an appointment at the Standesamt:
It is advisable to book well in advance, especially in large cities where appointments can be scarce.
Submit the documents:
The registry office carefully examines all documents; additional legalization or an opinion from the family court may be requested.
Pay the fees:
The fees for a marriage usually range between 50 and 200 euros, depending on the municipality and the number of foreign documents.
Set the wedding date:
Once all documents are deemed in order, an official date is set for the civil ceremony at the Standesamt.
Civil marriage ceremony:
The marriage is conducted in the presence of both partners and, depending on the registry office, one or two witnesses. Afterwards, the couple receives an official marriage certificate (Heiratsurkunde).

What happens after the marriage? (Residence and rights)

If one of the spouses does not yet have a secure residence status, they can, after the marriage, apply for a family residence permit under § 28 of the German Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), provided that:

there is a joint residence (same registered address),
the genuine nature of the marital relationship can be demonstrated,
in some cases, basic German language skills (level A1) are proven,
there are no legal obstacles (such as serious prior violations of residence law).

This residence permit is usually issued for one to three years, can be renewed and may later lead to permanent residence or naturalization.

Is it possible to marry in Germany on a tourist visa?

Yes, a marriage can be concluded while one of the partners is in Germany on a tourist or Schengen visa.
However, the authorities often examine the seriousness of the marriage particularly carefully in such cases, especially if a residence permit is applied for immediately afterwards.
It is strongly recommended to seek advice from a lawyer specializing in migration law or from the foreigners’ office (Ausländerbehörde) to avoid legal complications.

Marriage concluded abroad and then recognized in Germany

If the marriage is concluded in another country, the following documents generally need to be submitted to have it recognized in Germany:

Original marriage certificate from the foreign country
Certified German translation
Legalization or apostille, or confirmation by the relevant embassy / consulate

In some cases, it is advisable or necessary to inform the Standesamt so that the marriage can be entered into the German marriage register.

Potential problems to watch out for

Submitting forged or unauthenticated documents
Suspicion of a sham marriage (Zweckehe) entered into primarily for residence purposes
Polygamy / multiple marriages – German law recognizes only one marriage at a time
Incomplete or inadequate translations, or missing certificates from the country of origin

Important German terms

Standesamt – civil registry office
Heiratsurkunde – marriage certificate
Ehefähigkeitszeugnis – certificate of capacity to marry / certificate of no impediment
Aufenthaltserlaubnis – residence permit (limited)
Zweckehe – sham marriage (marriage for residence purposes)
Apostille – international form of document legalization
Einbürgerung – naturalization

Conclusion
Marriage between foreigners in Germany is legally permitted and fully recognized, but it requires careful legal preparation, the submission of correct, duly translated documents, and strict adherence to Standesamt procedures.
Marriage does not automatically guarantee a residence permit or citizenship; these are governed by separate provisions of residence law.
The more genuine and transparent the relationship and documentation are, the more smoothly the procedures will run – and the more secure the full legal recognition of the marriage and the rights arising from it will be.

The editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and consultation of multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors or incomplete information cannot be entirely ruled out. For that reason, the information in this article should be regarded as an initial point of reference only; for binding, case-specific advice, you should always contact the competent authorities or qualified legal counsel.