Getting married or registering a civil partnership abroad: Information based on your answers
Marriage in Germany
Contact the relevant local authorities in Germany (registry office ‘standesamt’ or church) to find out about local marriage laws, including what documents you’ll need.
You should get legal advice before making any plans.
What you need to do
You don’t need a certificate of no impediment (CNI) to prove you’re allowed to marry if you’re a British national resident outside of the UK. However, you’ll need to apply for an exemption (‘Befreiung von der Beibringung des Ehefähigkeitszeugnisses’) from the Higher Regional Court (‘Oberlandesgericht’) in the region where you want to marry.
Contact the local registry office (‘Standesamt’) where you’re getting married - they’ll tell you what you need to do.
If the Standesamt does ask you for a CNI (‘Ehefähigkeitszeugnis’), refer them to the relevant part of the German Civil Code (‘Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch’).
You’ll need to complete a statutory declaration at the registry office as part of the application process.
Naturalisation of your partner if they move to the UK
Your partner can apply to become a British citizen once they’ve lived in the UK for 3 years.
Your answers
- Is your partner of the opposite sex, or the same sex?
- Opposite sex
- Change Is your partner of the opposite sex, or the same sex?