Hello and welcome!

Getting married can be a joyous occasion, but all the paperwork of marrying abroad can take some of the fun out of it. We would like to invite people who have been married in Germany to share their advice.

What do you wish you had known? What is the procedure to get married in Germany? How much does it cost? Do you need a special visa, permit, or documentation? How far in advance do you need to plan? How expensive is it?

Is the process the same for locals as it is for expats? What about a mixed partnership (between a foreigner and a native)? Do you need to send documentation back to your country?

What customs should you expect? Is there a certain style of dress you need to wear? What about for guests? What kind of gift-giving is expected?

Also share your questions if you are preparing to marry abroad or your experiences if you have attended a wedding in Germany.

Congratulations to all of our engaged couples or recently married and thanks for sharing your stories.

 

We covered what it takes to get married in Denmark on your thread on the Denmark forum, but I wanted to cover some info about marrying in Germany.

A marriage in Germany must be performed at the registry office, regardless of whether there will be a religious wedding ceremony. All documents must be translated and be no older than six months. These usually include:

Birth certificate
Passport
Proof of residence that has been valid for over three weeks
Ehefähigkeitszeugnis - certificate states that there are no legal hindrances to your marriage in Germany (e.g. ongoing divorce proceedings). Your embassy can help you obtain this document, but the diplomatic staff often cannot issue it.

Check with the nearest Standesamt for current requirements.

Where did you decide to get married? What advice would you offer other expats? Congratulations & best of luck!