If you were married abroad and at least one of you holds German citizenship, you can have your marriage registered in Germany.
German citizenship is determined as of the date the application is filed.
The marriage must have been validly entered into in the country where you were married. German law must not preclude the marriage.

The following persons are eligible to apply:

• The spouses
• If both spouses have died, their parents and children

• Foreign marriage certificate, if necessary certified by the competent foreign authority (apostille) or legalized by the German diplomatic mission abroad
• Valid national ID card, passport, or travel document
• Certified copies of birth records from the civil registry offices of the spouses’ places of birth
  • If the spouses were born in Germany
• Birth certificates certified by the competent foreign authority (Apostille) or legalized by a German diplomatic mission abroad
  • If the spouses were born abroad
• Translations of all documents in a foreign language by translators certified in Germany
• If applicable, a naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship
• Proof of the formation and dissolution of all civil partnerships
  • Required only if one spouse has previously entered into a registered civil partnership
• Certified copy from the marriage registry of the most recent prior marriage, including a note of dissolution
  • Required only if one spouse has been married before. Alternatively, or in the case of a previous marriage abroad: Proof of the conclusion and dissolution of all prior marriages. For example, marriage certificates, death certificates, and all divorce decrees—complete and bearing a court notation indicating the date the decree became final (“notation of finality”).
• If applicable, recognition of the foreign divorce by the President of the Higher Regional Court
  • This is only required if one spouse has been married before.
• Additional Documents
  • Additional documents may be required on a case-by-case basis

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 Section 34(1) of the Civil Status Act (PStG) varies. A fixed fee of 85 euros is charged initially.

For each foreign law that must be observed pursuant to Article 13(1) or Article 17b(1), first sentence, in conjunction with (4), first sentence, of the Introductory Act to the Civil Code, an additional 50 euros is charged.

For the review of a foreign decision in marriage or civil partnership matters by the registry office, if a determination by the State Judicial Administration pursuant to Section 107(1), first sentence, of the Family Proceedings Act (FamFG) is not required, an additional 50 euros is charged.

For the submission of an application for recognition of a foreign decision in matrimonial matters to the State Justice Administration, plus 50 euros.