Getting Married

Navigating the process of getting married in Germany can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not a German citizen.

On our Facebook page, we often receive questions about marriage in Germany, and two scenarios come up most frequently:

A South African marrying a German citizen.
Two unmarried South Africans want to marry before relocating to Germany (to simplify obtaining visas or residence permits). Please note that there might be situations where you are only able to join your spouse once they are settled in.

Getting married in Germany

Many of our community members agree that it’s often easier to get married outside of Germany and then register the marriage at your local Rathaus.

Popular Alternatives:

South Africa: Familiar, straightforward, and recognized in Germany.
Denmark: Renowned for its quick and simple marriage process, especially for international couples.

If you’re planning to tie the knot, consider your options carefully to save time and avoid unnecessary stress.

Getting Married in Denmark

Getting married in Denmark as a foreigner is indeed a popular option due to its straightforward and relatively quick process compared to other European countries, including Germany.
Denmark is known for having a simplified process for international couples.
Here are the key steps and requirements:

Basic Requirements:

Valid Passports: Both partners must have valid passports.
Proof of Marital Status: Documentation proving that both parties are legally single. This can include a certificate of no impediment, divorce decree, or death certificate if widowed.
Proof of Residence: Depending on your nationality, you may need proof of residency or a visa for Denmark. However, most EU nationals and many non-EU nationals do not need a visa.
Birth Certificates: Some municipalities may ask for birth certificates, so it’s good to have these documents on hand.
Documents in English, German, or Danish: Any documents not in these languages may need to be officially translated.

Application Process:

Choose a Municipality: Popular choices include Copenhagen, Ærø, and Tønder, known for their efficiency and experience with foreign couples.
Submit Documents: Couples must submit the required documents to the chosen Danish municipality. This can often be done online or via email.
Approval: Once the documents are reviewed and approved, you’ll be given a wedding date.
Wedding Ceremony: You can have either a civil ceremony at the town hall or a more elaborate ceremony if desired.

Timeline and costs:

Quick Process:
The entire process can take just a few weeks from submitting documents to the ceremony itself.
Cost:
The fees vary by municipality but typically range between €200 and €300. (2024)

If you have Facebook, watch a video on DW Stories about getting married in Denmark

On the page below, you’ll find experiences shared by our community about the journey of getting married in South Africa, Germany, or Denmark, and the transition to living in Germany

Getting married – Your stories

Shared experiences We’d love to hear your story! If you’ve gotten married, whether in South Africa, Germany, Denmark, or elsewhere, and have gone through the process of registering your marriage in Germany, please share your experience with us via the link below. Your insights will help others on a similar journey. Below you’ll find experiences shared by our community about the journey of getting married in South Africa, Germany, or Denmark, and the transition to living in Germany Added by Cherie-Lee March 2024 Your nationality South African Your partner’s nationality South African What country did you get married in

Registering your Marriage in Germany

If you got married outside of Germany, you’ll need to register the marriage in Germany for it to be officially recorded in the German system. However, this is only necessary for family reunification purposes, such as when one spouse is a German national.

Important Clarification:

Two married South Africans living in Germany do not need to register their marriage in Germany unless required for a specific legal purpose.
However, it’s advisable to have an apostilled copy of your marriage certificate on hand for official matters.
Always consult your local Rathaus or a legal advisor to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information for your circumstances.

German Civil Registry (Standesamt

Submit Marriage Certificate: Obtain an international marriage certificate (in multiple languages, including German) from the relevant authorities. This will simplify the registration process in Germany. If you got married in South Africa
Apostille Stamp: In some cases, the German authorities may require an apostille (an official certification) on the marriage certificate.
Translation: If you didn’t get an international certificate, you may need to have the marriage certificate officially translated into German by a certified translator.

Required Documents for Registration:

$599.99

Marriage Certificate (with Apostille if required).
Passports of both partners.
Proof of Residence in Germany.
Birth Certificates (sometimes requested).

Procedure:

Visit the Local Standesamt: Go to the civil registry office (Standesamt) in the area where you reside in Germany to register the marriage.
Application for Registration: Fill out the necessary forms and submit your documents.
Processing Time: The registration process can take a few weeks, depending on the workload at the Standesamt and whether all documents are in order.

Please share your experience with us

We’d love to hear your story! If you’ve gotten married, whether in South Africa, Germany, Denmark, or elsewhere, and have gone through the process of registering your marriage in Germany, please share your experience with us via the link below. Your insights will help others on a similar journey, and we’ll feature your story on our website.

Getting married – Share your experiences

Share your process of getting married with us We’d love to hear your story! If you’ve gotten married, whether in South Africa, Germany, Denmark, or elsewhere and have gone through the process of registering your marriage in Germany, please share your experience with us via the link below. Your insights

Additional Considerations

Name Change: If you change your last name after marriage, you’ll need to update your name on all official documents in Germany, such as your passport, residence permit, bank accounts, and insurance.

Tax and Benefits: Your marriage will also affect your tax class in Germany. You may want to consult with a tax advisor to understand the implications and benefits.

Info on the web

If you want to get married in Germany, you can get info it on the Expatica site
Agentur Heiraten leicht gemacht – a company that can assist with weddings in Denmark

Documentation companies listed on our site

Docs4U

Our services for you: All Unabridged Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates and also the Vault Birth Document Foreign Birth Registration in SA Foreign Death, Marriage and Divorce registrations Unabridged Birth and Marriage certificates from Zimbabwe Retention of SA Citizenship letters Police Clearances Apostille at DIRCO or High Court Procuring Divorce Decrees at the courts in SA

RSA DOCUMENTS

We are a document procumbent company assisting South Africans with the admin if dealing with Government Entities Divorce orders Foreign death registration Foreign divorce registration Foreign marriage registration Marital status amendments Police Clearance Certificat Retention of South African Citizenship Unabridged Birth Certificates Notary Services Apostille Unabridged Marriage Certificates Determination of Citizenship status See our website for a full list of services

Apostil.co.za

Get official South African documents sorted quickly, securely, and stress-free – no queues, no fuss. Apostil.co.za has helped over 20,000 clients (individuals, law firms, travel agents, and businesses) get what they need to move forward — whether that’s travelling, emigrating, studying, or bringing loved ones over for a visit. Services include: 🔹 Apostilles for international use 🔹 Police clearance certificates 🔹 Home Affairs documents (birth, marriage, death certificates) 🔹 Legalisations & notarisation 🔹 High Court & DIRCO processing 🔹 Embassy attestation 🔹 Visa support: Schengen, UK, USA, Australia, NZ & more (tourist, short-stay, medical, business) Visa help made simple

Family Reunification Visa

Family Reunification Visa Family reunification in Germany allows close family members to join their relatives living in Germany—whether those relatives are German citizens or third-country nationals with valid residence (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) or settlement permits (Niederlassungserlaubnis). Eligible family members include: Spouses or registered partners Minor children to foreign parent (unmarried) Parents of a minor German Child These rules focus on preserving the nuclear family. Other relatives, such as adult children, siblings, grandparents, or extended family, are not normally eligible, unless there are exceptional humanitarian or personal hardship circumstances that justify reunification. Immigration authorities evaluate such cases very strictly, and approvals are rare.

Legalising Documents

Legalising Documents Living, working, or studying in Germany often requires the submission of official documents that must be recognised as legally valid by German authorities.Depending on the context, this may involve notarisation, legalisation, or the presentation of certified copies. On this page Document Authentication South Africa and Germany are both members of the Hague Apostille Convention, which greatly simplifies the process of legalising documents for use between the two countries. If you need to authenticate a South African document for official use in Germany, it typically needs to be apostilled — a special certificate that confirms the authenticity of

SA Consular and Embassy services

Embassy Berlin Reach them through Tiergartenstraße. 18, 10785 Berlin +4930220730 +493022073190 berlin.consular@dirco.gov.za Social Networks SAEmbassyBerlin @SAEmbassyBerlin Website Consulate Munich Reach them through Sendlinger-Tor-Platz 5, 80336 Munich +49892311630 49 89 231 163 53 munich.consular@dirco.gov.za Social Networks Consulate in Munich Website Honorary Consuls The Honorary Consuls are tasked with the promotion of the South African export trade, serve as contact persons for visiting South African business people, distribute general information on South Africa and represent South Africa at functions and receptions. IMPORTANT: Honorary Consuls are not mandated to deal with ANY Consular-related matters, e.g., certifying documents, processing of visa applications or

South Africans in Germany