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Getting Married in Bochum in Bochum

Civil marriage in Bochum – registration, wedding venues, costs and name change explained step by step.

Progress0 of 8 steps completed
Deadline
Register 6 months in advance
Cost
€60–100 (depends on city)
If ignored
Desired date may be unavailable

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8 Schritte · ca. 6 Minuten0%

✓ Du bist in 6 Minuten fertig

Step 1If one partner is foreign⏱ 5–10 Min

Consultation for binational marriage

🚨
Frist: 6+ months before wedding · Binational marriages need 3-6 months lead time! Documents from abroad, translations and court review take long.

If one of you is not a German citizen, you MUST first make a consultation appointment at the registry office. There you'll learn which extra documents you need.

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo
•� Registry Office Bochum: Town Hall Willy-Brandt-Platz 2-6, Level 3, 44777 Bochum
📞� Tel: 0234 910-1951 | Mon–Wed 8–15h | Thu 8–16h | Fri 8–12h
🔴� BY APPOINTMENT ONLY – no walk-in! Info desk without appointment during office hours
⚠️️ Binational marriages: plan 3–6 months lead time! Apostille + certified translations take long
💡 Weitere Tipps
  • 💡 Tip: Contact Bochum registry office early – foreign documents often need to be legalized
Book consultation↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 2If one partner is foreign⏱ 5–10 Min

Get foreign documents

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Frist: 4-6 months before wedding · Getting documents from abroad can take weeks. Start early!

The foreign partner needs documents from their home country. These often need an apostille and translation by a sworn translator.

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

💡 Weitere Tipps
  • Apostille: Apply at authorities in home country
  • Translators in Bochum: List at district court (Viktoriastraße 14)
  • International certificates (multilingual) don't need translation
  • Some consulates can help
Find sworn translator↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 3⏱ 10–15 Min

Choose wedding date & venue in Bochum

Wedding appointments in Bochum can be reserved online up to 12 months in advance. Bochum offers exceptional venues – from the Zeiss Planetarium to the Jahrhunderthalle. Note: The historic town hall is currently being renovated – alternative venue at Musikschule Westring 32.

⚠️Saturday weddings and evening appointments are very popular – reserve early! Weddings after 1pm and Saturdays cost extra.
⏰ Bis zu 12 Monate im Voraus reservierbar💰 Trauung Mo–Fr bis 13 Uhr: ab 37 € | ab 13 Uhr + Sa: Aufpreis | besondere Trauorte: zusätzlich
📅

Save this deadline to your calendar so you don't forget.

Works with iPhone, Google Calendar, Outlook and many others.

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo
•� Registry Office: Town Hall, Willy-Brandt-Platz 2-6, 44777 Bochum (Level 3)
📞� Phone: 0234 910-1951 | Mon–Wed 8–15h | Thu 8–16h | Fri 8–12h
⚠️️ Town hall wedding room closed for renovation – alternative: Musikschule Westring 32
💡 Weitere Tipps
  • ⭐ Special venues: Zeiss Planetarium, Jahrhunderthalle, Anneliese Brost Musikforum
  • 🚃 Tip: Historic tram BoGeStra available as wedding transport
Reserve wedding date online↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 4⏱ 10–15 Min

Register marriage at Bochum registry office

Marriage registration must be done in person at Bochum registry office – both partners must appear (exception: power of attorney). Registration is valid for 6 months. Walk-ins possible at the information desk during opening hours.

⚠️For international couples: additional documents required (apostille, certified translations). Enquire early at Bochum registry office.
⏰ Anmeldung ist 6 Monate gültig – Timing an Trautermin anpassen💰 ca. 40–80 € (abhängig von Personenstand und Unterlagen)

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo
📞� Appointment: 0234 910-1951 or online
💡 Weitere Tipps
  • 💡 Info desk: walk-in during opening hours
  • 🌍 International couples: enquire early – foreign documents take time
  • 📋 Check required documents online at bochum.de/standesamt
Book registry office appointment↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 5⏱ 10–15 Min

Decide on name change

You can decide at the registry office during the ceremony whether and who changes their name. Options: shared married name, each keeps own name, double-barrelled name. A later change is more complicated.

⚠️Only one partner can use the double-barrelled name – not both. Think carefully!
⏰ Entscheidung bei der Trauung treffen💰 0 € (bei Trauung) | Spätere Änderung: ca. 30–60 €
💡 Weitere Tipps
  • 💡 No rush: you can still determine the married name after the wedding
  • 📋 Double name: only one partner can use it
  • 🌍 International marriage: name law of the other country may apply
Book registry office appointment↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 6⏱ 10–15 Min

Apply for new ID card

After a name change, a new ID card must be applied for. This is done at Bochum citizens' office (Mitte or Wattenscheid) with appointment. Bring the marriage certificate.

⚠️Also renew passport! And: bring marriage certificate.
⏰ Zeitnah nach der Hochzeit💰 Personalausweis: 37 € (unter 24 Jahre: 22,80 €) | Reisepass: 70–92 €
📅

Save this deadline to your calendar so you don't forget.

Works with iPhone, Google Calendar, Outlook and many others.

💡 Weitere Tipps
  • 📍 Bürgerbüro Mitte or Wattenscheid
  • 📅 Appointment: termine.bochum.de or 115
  • ⏱️ Wait: 3–6 weeks
Book appointment Bochum citizens' office↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 7⏱ 2–5 Min

Change tax class

After the wedding you can change tax class at Bochum tax office. Classic combo: III/V (one earns much more) or IV/IV (similar income). Responsible tax office Bochum: Bochum-Mitte or Bochum-Süd depending on address.

⚠️Tax class III/V is only worthwhile if one partner earns significantly more – otherwise tax arrears at the annual return!
⏰ Jederzeit möglich – rückwirkend ab Jahresbeginn💰 0 €
🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo
🏢 Alle Standorte anzeigen (2 Büros)
🏢 Tax office Bochum-Mitte: Pieperstraße 18-28
🏢 Tax office Bochum-Süd: Ostring 29
💡 Weitere Tipps
  • 💻 Online via ELSTER (elster.de)
  • 💡 IV/IV with factor: often fairest with similar income
Change tax class online (ELSTER)↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 8⏱ 2–5 Min

💍 Joint protection as a couple

After the wedding it's worth reviewing and possibly combining insurances: liability, household contents, disability. Many insurers offer combo rates for married couples.

⚠️Liability insurance: often one partner can be included without extra premium.
⏰ Zeitnah nach der Hochzeit prüfen💰 0 € (Vergleich kostenlos)
📅

Save this deadline to your calendar so you don't forget.

Works with iPhone, Google Calendar, Outlook and many others.

💡 Weitere Tipps
  • 💡 Combining liability insurance often saves €20–40/year
  • 🔍 Compare: check24.de or verivox.de
  • 📋 Disability: younger = cheaper – check now
Compare insurances as a couple*
⏱ 2 Minuten💰 Kostenlos🔒 Unverbindlich
* Affiliate-Link: Bei Abschluss über diesen Link erhalten wir eine Provision – für dich kostenlos und unverbindlich. AmtPilot ist Tippgeber, kein Vermittler. Mehr erfahren

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have time?
6+ Monate vor Hochzeit
What does it cost?
0 € (Beratung), 100-500 € (Übersetzungen, Apostille), Trauung Mo–Fr bis 13 Uhr: ab 37 € | ab 13 Uhr + Sa: Aufpreis | besondere Trauorte: zusätzlich, ca. 40–80 € (abhängig von Personenstand und Unterlagen), 0 € (bei Trauung) | Spätere Änderung: ca. 30–60 €, Personalausweis: 37 € (unter 24 Jahre: 22,80 €) | Reisepass: 70–92 €, 0 €, 0 € (Vergleich kostenlos)
What happens if I miss the deadline?
Binationale Ehen brauchen 3-6 Monate Vorlaufzeit! Dokumente aus dem Ausland, Übersetzungen und OLG-Prüfung dauern lange.

⚠️ Often forgotten

These points are often missed — check them before moving on.

  • Actively change tax class at the tax office
    Doesn't happen automatically — wrong class = monthly loss over the year.
  • Birth certificate max. 6 months old
    Registry office requires recent issue. Old certificates are rejected.
  • Foreign documents: apostille + certified translation
    Non-EU documents often need 6–12 weeks lead time — most common cause of delay.
  • Certificate of no impediment from home country (binational)
    Long acquisition time (often several months) — most common bottleneck in binational marriages.
  • Renew identity documents after name change
    ID card (~€37) and passport (~€60) must be actively re-applied for.

📋What you should do next:

👣
Having a baby in BochumView checklist →
›💔
Divorce in BochumView checklist →
›🏠
Moving in BochumView checklist →
›🏡
Buying a house in BochumView checklist →
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