Nowadays, long-distance relationships are no longer rare. If the desire for a life together and a wedding in Germany arises, borders should not stand in your way. Do you want to marry your foreign partner in Germany or enter into a same-sex partnership?
Nationals from certain countries need a visa before entering Germany. Among the various types of visas for Germany, you will also find a visa for marriage. The marriage visa is issued as a national long-stay visa. If you need a marriage visa for Germany and everything you need to know about visas and marriage, read on.
What is a marriage visa?
A marriage visa is a visa for the purpose of marriage. The foreign unmarried partner can enter Germany with this visa to marry or enter into a partnership.
The following requirements for a marriage visa must be met:
- Both spouses must be of legal age
- No familial relationship between the spouses
- Proof of German language skills at level A1 (certificate from Goethe Institute)
- Residence of the fiancé in Germany
- Proof of financial support in Germany must be guaranteed
- The intention to enter into a genuine marriage (no suspicion of a sham marriage)
Can I marry with a tourist or visitor visa?
Entering with a Schengen visa allows you to stay for a short stay of up to 90 days within 6 months for tourist or business purposes and is not the same as a marriage visa for Germany. In theory, you can marry in Germany with a tourist or visitor visa, but you will face difficulties obtaining a residence permit for family reunification from the immigration office afterwards. The immigration office will usually insist that the visa process be completed. It is best to apply for a marriage visa right from the start.
Who needs to apply for a marriage visa for Germany?
As a third-country national, you generally need a visa to enter the Federal Republic of Germany. This excludes EU citizens and citizens of the EFTA countries Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, but other countries are also exempt from the visa requirement. On our page, you can find an overview of visa-required and visa-exempt countries.
Where do I apply for the marriage visa?
The marriage visa must be applied for before entry into Germany at the relevant German foreign representation in your home country. Take a look at the list of all foreign representations to find the embassy or consulate assigned to you.
Marriage visa for Germany: What is the procedure?
Do you want to marry your foreign partner in Germany? We will guide you step by step through the bureaucratic jungle.
10 steps to the German marriage visa
- Registry office: If you, as a German citizen with a residence in Germany, want to marry your foreign fiancé in Germany, inquire before applying for the marriage visa at the registry office about the documents you need to present for marriage. Usually, you will receive a list of all the required documents.
- Prepare documents: Please note that all foreign certificates that are not in German must be translated by a sworn translator and must not be older than six months. Furthermore, certificates may need to be legalized.
- Marriage registration: Once you have all the documents, you can register for marriage at the registry office, which is usually done in person by both partners. If one partner is unable to attend, they can authorize the other partner to act on their behalf. Marriage registration can be done no earlier than 6 months before the desired wedding date.
- Check of marriage requirements: The registry office checks the marriageability and any possible obstacles to marriage based on the documents. Among other things, the certificates are checked for authenticity, and various requirements are verified.
- Confirmation of marriage registration: The registry office confirms your marriage registration and verifies that all conditions for marriage are met. This confirmation is valid for 6 months.
- Apply for marriage visa for Germany: Only after you have the confirmation and the wedding date from the registry office can you apply for the marriage visa at the competent German foreign representation in your home country.
- Invitation of the fiancé to the German immigration office: The fiancé in Germany will be invited to an appointment at the responsible immigration office in Germany. Some documents and evidence need to be brought to the appointment. You will be informed in writing beforehand about the necessary documents.
- Immigration office statement: After the personal appointment, the marriage process will be reviewed, and a statement will be sent to the German foreign representation in the applicant's home country.
- Decision on visa application by the German foreign representation: In the final step, the German foreign representation will decide on your application for a marriage visa.
- Entry to Germany: Once you have received a marriage visa for Germany, the foreign partner can enter and marry within three months – this corresponds to the validity of the marriage visa.
What documents do I need for a German marriage visa?
Before applying for a marriage visa at the German foreign representation, the marriage must first be registered at the competent registry office in Germany. The following list shows the documents you must submit at the registry office.
Checklist: Documents for marriage registration
For the German fiancé:
- valid ID card
- birth certificate
- residence certificate
- if applicable, a final divorce decree (if previously married)
For the foreign fiancé:
- valid passport
- birth certificate/lineage certificate
- certificate of marriageability (or certificate of singleness)
- residence or stay certificate
- if applicable, a power of attorney for marriage registration (if unable to attend the appointment)
Note: Your registry office may require additional documents based on your personal situation. You can get information directly from your responsible registry office.
What is a certificate of marriageability?
Foreigners must submit a certificate of marriageability to the German registry office, which is issued by the competent authorities in their home country. This certificate confirms that there are no obstacles to marriage, meaning there is no issue of marriageability or a marriage ban. Certificates from the following countries are fully recognized according to the agreement on the issuance of certificates of marriageability: Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Moldova, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Switzerland, Spain, and Turkey. Other certificates from different countries may meet the requirements of a certificate of marriageability, but in most cases, these are just certificates of singleness without the legal status of a marriageability certificate.
Note: The validity of a certificate of marriageability is 6 months.
Checklist: Documents for applying for a marriage visa
- Marriage registration application
- Completed application form
- Valid passport
- Biometric passport photos
- Proof of German language skills at A1 level
- Copy of the fiancé's passport in Germany
- Copy of the rental agreement for accommodation in Germany
- If applicable, a declaration of commitment from the fiancé in Germany (for the period from arrival in Germany to the marriage date)
- Proof of travel health insurance: for the first few weeks of stay in Germany, provided that a health insurance policy is taken out in Germany thereafter.
How long does a marriage visa take?
Since your visa application will be forwarded to the responsible foreigner’s office in Germany for review, waiting times of up to a maximum of three months may occur.
Where do I apply for a residence permit for Germany?
After the marriage, the marriage certificate must be submitted to the responsible foreigner’s office, which will then schedule an appointment for issuing the corresponding residence permit. The residence permit based on marriage to a German citizen is initially granted for one or three years, depending on the federal state you live in. Upon extension of the residence permit after one or three years, successful participation in an integration course must be proven.
You might also be interested in these articles
- How do I apply for a tourist visa to Germany?
- What is required for a visitor visa to Germany?
- How do I apply for a student visa to Germany?
- How do I apply for a work visa to Germany?
- How do I apply for a family reunification visa to Germany?
- How do I apply for a training visa to Germany?
- How do I apply for a language course visa to Germany?
- Schengen Visa Germany: everything you need to know at a glance
- Business Visa for Germany: How to apply for your business visa
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