Getting a certificate for your registered partnership in Germany

Only the registry office that registered the partnership can issue it

A registered partnership, or Lebenspartnerschaft, was the legal form for same-sex couples in Germany before marriage opened to them in 2017, and partnerships entered earlier can continue. Proof comes as a Lebenspartnerschaftsurkunde or a certified printout from the partnership register, issued by the Standesamt in the place of registration, wherever you live now. Some offices issue only a German version, so a translation may be needed abroad.

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How it works

Get a registered partnership or cohabitation certificate

Get official proof of a registered partnership or legal cohabitation, or that none is registered.

Some procedures, such as a family residence application, ask for proof that you are in a registered partnership or legal cohabitation, or that you are not registered with anyone. Depending on the country, the certificate comes from the town hall, the civil registry or a regional register of couples. You usually need your ID, and sometimes your partner’s consent if they are not applying with you. Check which version the recipient needs and whether it must be translated or legalised. Getting a certificate is not the same as registering a new partnership.

Also searched as

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At a glance

Offices
74 offices in 34 cities
Book online
At 4 of 74 offices
Apply online
At 59 of 74 offices

Only the office of registration can supply it

Registry offices that issue the certificate

Your request has to reach the Standesamt that registered the partnership, and a wrong guess can mean delays or extra costs. Cities such as Berlin, Bielefeld and Karlsruhe each have their own routine for orders.

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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 partnership certificates

Standesamt offices take orders in their own way, and only the one that registered your partnership holds the entry, so make sure you have the right one before you pay.

Partnership certificate offices in Germany

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