Have a birth or marriage abroad entered in the German register

Optional, but it saves repeated translations later

A birth or marriage abroad is generally recognised in Germany without any further step. If you would like German certificates, you can ask your local Standesamt to add the event to the German register, which is called Nachbeurkundung. It mainly concerns German citizens, and foreign documents usually need a certified translation. Divorces granted abroad follow a different procedure.

Find your officeBrowse services

How it works

Register a birth or marriage that took place abroad

Get a foreign birth, marriage or divorce recorded by the local authorities.

If you were born, married or divorced abroad, the authorities may need to record the event before your details are up to date, for example when you register your address or apply for a local document. You usually submit the original foreign certificate, often with a legalisation or apostille and a sworn translation. Requirements depend on the country that issued the document, so check them before paying for translations. Recording the event can take several weeks.

Also searched as

register a foreign marriageforeign birth certificaterecognise a foreign marriageregister a foreign divorcetranscription of a foreign certificateapostille and translation

At a glance

Offices
52 offices in 39 cities
Book online
At 15 of 52 offices
Apply online
At 10 of 52 offices

Contact the office before you plan a visit

Registry offices for a birth or marriage abroad

Many offices want to hear from you first, by email or an enquiry form, so they can tell you which documents they need. In some cities births and marriages are handled by different teams, and foreign papers usually need a certified translation.

Find a registry office

Related services

Other everyday services in Germany

Help with rent and living costs in Germany

For people who cannot cover rent, food or other basic costs. See whether the Sozialamt or the Jobcenter is your starting point and how to reach them.

135 offices · 39 cities

Tax registration with the Finanzamt in Germany

For freelancers, sole traders and new business owners. See how tax registration works, what the Steuernummer is for and which tax office can help.

108 offices · 37 cities

Report a change of address in Germany

For people who already live in Germany and move to a new home. See how to update your registered address and which office takes it.

104 offices · 39 cities

Residence permit applications in Germany

For students, workers and family members from outside the EU. See which office handles your stay and how applications start.

103 offices · 38 cities

Register your address after arriving in Germany

For anyone moving into a home in Germany from another country. See what the registration involves and which office in your city deals with it.

98 offices · 39 cities

Certificate of your registered address

For anyone who has to show where they live. See what the certificate covers and which office in your city issues it.

95 offices · 39 cities
Browse services

Other countries

The same task in other countries

Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.

Where to next

Registry offices for births and marriages abroad

Check how the registry office in your city takes requests to enter a foreign birth or marriage, and whether it wants an email or a visit first.

German offices for foreign births and marriages

Explore more

Jump straight to another part of the manual.