What documents are needed to get married abroad?
These are the documents you need for a marriage abroad.
Whether you envision a sunny dream wedding on the beach or a quick "I do" because you can't wait – sometimes a wedding abroad is the best solution. The good news: you can get married in any country, even as a foreigner. And for a wedding, foreign authorities often require certified translations of various documents.
But: Which documents do I need to apply for before getting married? Is the original sufficient for the registry office abroad, or do I need to submit a certified translation of the required documents? Will the marriage be recognized in Germany? There's quite a bit to organize and clarify for the most beautiful day of your life.
To give you an overview, we have compiled a checklist of the top 10 documents you need to get married abroad.
Our tip beforehand: Contact the relevant registry office abroad well in advance to find out which documents you need to submit for the wedding – and which of them require a certified translation . This is the only way to be absolutely sure that you have all the necessary paperwork for the most beautiful day of your life.
Table of contents
- What documents do I need to get married abroad? (Checklist)
- In which country is it easiest to get married?
- In what form should I submit the (translated) documents?
- Do I need to have my marriage abroad recognized in Germany?
For a wedding abroad, you will usually need to submit these documents to the foreign authorities:
1. Identification document with photograph
Whether it's a passport, national identity card, or national ID card – you generally can't get married abroad without an official identification document. If necessary, you can have your national identity card translated or order a certified translation of your passport in our online shop. Driving licenses, despite having a photo, are not considered valid identification.
2. Birth certificate
A must-have for every wedding is your birth certificate. For marriages abroad, you usually need to present this to the relevant registry office, along with a certified translation into the corresponding national language. You can get the latter from us: At Beglaubigung24, you can have your birth certificate translated in just a few clicks – for a fixed price and including certification.
3. Certificate of no impediment to marriage
You must prove your legal right to marry before getting married. This is usually done with a certificate of no impediment to marriage, which you can obtain from the registry office in your area. If necessary, we can provide you with a certified translation of your certificate of no impediment to marriage as quickly as possible.
4. Certificate of no impediment to marriage
You may need to present a certificate of no impediment to marriage. You can also obtain this from your local registry office in Germany (or in your home country).
5. Registration certificate
You may need proof of your current residence. A registration certificate, which you can obtain from your local municipal office, is usually sufficient. Issuance often takes only a few minutes, but it's better to take care of this proof sooner rather than later. If you need to provide a certified translation, you can have the registration certificate translated by us .
Get your documents translated now – at Beglaubigung24:
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ID card
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passport
have it translatedRegular price from €53.90Normal priceBase price perSelling price from €53.90 -
Birth certificate
have it translatedRegular price from €56.50Normal priceBase price perSelling price from €56.50 -
Transcript
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The relevant registry office abroad requires these documents in certain cases:
6. Divorce and marriage certificates from previous marriages
If this isn't your first marriage, you must prove that A) you have been married before and B) that the previous marriage was legally dissolved. You do this with your marriage certificate and divorce decree. If you have been married and divorced multiple times, you must provide these documents from all previous marriages. You can obtain a certified translation of your divorce decree from our online shop, and we will also translate and certify your marriage certificate for you within a few days.
7. Death certificate of former spouse(s)
Widowed individuals must present a death certificate of their deceased spouse. This must be submitted along with the corresponding marriage certificate. If necessary, you can have the death certificate translated by Beglaubigung24 .
8. Prenuptial agreement
Especially in Islamic countries, the marriage contract is one of the most important wedding documents. If this is relevant for the foreign registry office, you can have your contract officially translated by us .
9. Baptismal and Communion certificates
Rarely, but occasionally, you will be asked for baptismal and communion certificates. You can obtain these from the place where you were baptized or where you received your communion.
10. Visa, proof of accommodation, flight ticket...
It can happen, but it's rather rare: Some authorities want to be sure that you're only in the country for the purpose of getting married and don't intend to emigrate there permanently. In that case, they'll want to see a temporary visa, proof of accommodation, or your return flight tickets. You should definitely check with the foreign registry office to find out which documents are accepted and which aren't.
Get your documents translated now – at Beglaubigung24:
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Marriage certificate
have it translatedRegular price from €56.50Normal priceBase price perSelling price from €56.50 -
Divorce certificate
have it translatedRegular price from €53.90Normal priceBase price perSelling price from €53.90 -
Death certificate
have it translatedRegular price from €53.90Normal priceBase price perSelling price from €53.90 -
Contract
have it translatedRegular price from €69.90Normal priceBase price perSelling price from €69.90
In which country is it easiest to get married?
If you want your wedding to happen as quickly and smoothly as possible, without a lot of red tape, you don't have to fly all the way to Las Vegas to see Elvis. Europe also offers beautiful locations to exchange vows. Denmark, in particular, is a popular choice for uncomplicated destination weddings and is often called the "Las Vegas of Europe." For Germans who want to get married abroad, the towns of Ribe and Tønder, just across the German-Danish border, are especially popular.
Getting married abroad is easiest when there's as little paperwork as possible. That's why we've compiled a list of the documents you'll need for your destination wedding in a few European countries:
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| Austria |
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| Switzerland |
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Attention! In some countries, such as Spain, marriage is only possible if one of the fiancés is a Spanish citizen and has their primary residence in Spain. In the Netherlands, for example, one of these two conditions must be met. If this applies to you, you will need the following documents:
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| Netherlands |
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* The marriage certificate, divorce decree, and/or death certificate are only necessary if you are already divorced or widowed. In cases of multiple divorces, documents from all previous marriages must be provided. Adoption documents should also be included for adopted children.
In what form should I submit the (translated) documents?
Anyone planning to marry abroad almost always needs to submit the originals of the necessary certificates and documents, and often certified translations as well. Only in rare cases are certified copies of the original documents sufficient. Again, it's advisable to contact the relevant registry office abroad well in advance to find out in what format you need to submit which documents (with or without certified translations).
Do I need to have my marriage abroad recognized in Germany?
No, a marriage performed abroad is legally valid in Germany even without recognition. At least, that's the case if you complied with all legal requirements in the country where the marriage took place. However, registering your marriage in Germany still makes sense – for example, to change your tax bracket. You can register at the registry office near your home (i.e., close to where you live). You can find more information on the website of the Federal Foreign Office .
How does a marriage abroad affect the documentation of our binational children?
If you married abroad and are expecting or already have binational children, this has direct implications for their documentation. A marriage performed abroad generally needs to be recognized in the home country of one or both partners to be legally valid for your children's birth certificates. This may mean having your marriage certificate apostilled and officially translated before your children's birth certificates can be issued with the correct marital status of the parents. Our guide provides more information on the connection between foreign marriages and the documentation requirements for binational children.
What happens to custody if I get married abroad and already have a child?
In some countries, marriage can affect existing child custody arrangements, especially in blended families. Our guide to child custody explains which documents you need and how to have them translated correctly.
Order certified translations
We at Beglaubigung24 want to help you organize your destination wedding. Our sworn translators will provide you with certified translations of all necessary documents within a few days – allowing you to focus on the more enjoyable preparations.
Take a photo, upload it and you're done – get your documents translated quickly and easily now!
