0 € (Beratung), 100-500 € (Übersetzungen, Apostille), 46 €, 0 € (Vergleich kostenlos), 0-200 € (je nach Ort), Inklusive, 37 €, Ca. 100 €, 0 €

What happens if I miss the deadline?

Binationale Ehen brauchen 3-6 Monate Vorlaufzeit! Dokumente aus dem Ausland, Übersetzungen und OLG-Prüfung dauern lange.

Getting married in Essen – Fristen & Checkliste

Step 1If one partner is foreign

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

Foreign partner's passport(Required)

Must be valid – issued by passport authority in home country

Residence permit (if applicable)(Required)

If already living in Germany – issued by immigration office Cologne

💡 Tips

Consultation is MANDATORY and free
Registry office Essen: Hollestr. 3, 45127 Essen | Phone: 0201 88-33499
Email: heirat@einwohneramt.essen.de
You get an individual checklist
Many countries don't issue marriage certificates → court exemption needed

Request consultation↗

Step 2If one partner is foreign

Get foreign documents

🚨

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

Birth certificate with parents' names(Required)

Request from registry office in home country – must be recent

Certificate of no impediment(Required)

Varies by country – from registry office, consulate or court in home country

Marriage eligibility certificate(Optional)

Or exemption by court

Apostille or legalization(Required)

Apply in home country – at foreign ministry, court or responsible authority

Sworn translations(Required)

From sworn translators in Germany – list at Cologne district court or justiz-dolmetscher.de

💡 Tips

Apostille: Apply at authorities in home country
Translators: List at district court or justiz-dolmetscher.de
International certificates don't need translation
Some consulates can help

Translator database↗

Step 3

Register your marriage

You must register your marriage at the Essen registry office. This can be done at the earliest 6 months before the desired date. Reserve your preferred date via the online wedding calendar!

⚠️Popular dates are often booked months in advance. Registration is valid for 6 months.

⏰ 6 months to 6 weeks before wedding💰 46 €

📄 Required Documents

ID card or passport(Required)

You already have this – must be valid. If lost: citizens' office Cologne (approx. €37)

Current birth certificate(Required)

From registry office of your birthplace – not older than 6 months, approx. €12

Registration certificate(Required)

For residences outside Essen

Divorce decree(Optional)

If previously married

💡 Tips

Registry office Essen: Hollestr. 3, 45127 Essen | Phone: 0201 88-33499
Email: heirat@einwohneramt.essen.de
Online wedding calendar: Reserve up to 12 months in advance
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-1pm, Thu also 2pm-6pm
Both partners must appear in person

Wedding calendar & appointments↗

Step 4

💍 Gemeinsame Absicherung als Paar

Heiraten ist auch eine finanzielle Entscheidung. Jetzt ist der richtige Moment für gemeinsame Versicherungen und Finanzen als Paar – Hausrat, Haftpflicht, Vorsorge.

⏰ Nach der Hochzeit💰 0 € (Vergleich kostenlos)

📅

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

When is / was das Hochzeitsdatum?

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

💡 Tips

⏱ Dauert nur 2 Minuten
💰 Kostenlos & unverbindlich
💑 Paartarife oft günstiger als Einzelverträge

👉 Tarife als Paar vergleichen ↗

⏱ 2 Minuten💰 Kostenlos🔒 Unverbindlich

Step 5

Choose wedding venue

Essen offers many venues: wedding rooms at the registry office or special ambient venues across the city.

⚠️Ambient venues cost extra and have their own availability.

⏰ At registration💰 0-200 € (je nach Ort)

💡 Tips

Wedding room at registry: Hollestr. 3
Ambient venues: UNESCO World Heritage Zollverein, Villa Hügel and more
Outdoor weddings possible
Book Saturdays and special dates early

View wedding venues↗

Step 6

Decide on name change

You can choose: Each keeps their name, one takes the other's, or double name. The decision is set at registration.

⚠️Later name change is more complicated. Best to think it through now.

⏰ At registration💰 Inklusive

💡 Tips

Double name only possible for one partner
Children automatically get the married name
Name change is also possible later

✓ Decide at registration↗

Step 7Only if changing name

Apply for new ID card

If you change your name, you need a new ID card. Apply for it right after the wedding at the Essen citizens' office.

⚠️With old name on ID there can be confusion with flight bookings or banking.

⏰ After the wedding💰 37 €

📄 Required Documents

Marriage certificate(Required)

You get this directly after the wedding from Cologne registry office

Biometric photo(Required)

At photographer or photo booth – must meet biometric requirements

Old ID card(Required)

Your current ID – will be collected when picking up the new one

💡 Tips

Essen citizens' office: Book online at termine.essen.de
Plan for 6 weeks processing time
Old ID remains valid until pickup
Don't forget to renew passport too

Book citizens' office appointment↗

Step 8If one partner is foreign

Update residence permit

After marrying a German, the foreign partner can apply for a new residence permit (family reunification).

⚠️The new residence permit can bring more rights (e.g. work permit).

⏰ After the wedding💰 Ca. 100 €

📄 Required Documents

Marriage certificate(Required)

You get this directly after the wedding from Cologne registry office

Passport(Required)

Must be valid – issued by passport authority in home country

Registration certificate(Required)

Apply at citizens' office Cologne – prove shared address

Biometric photo(Required)

At photographer or photo booth – must meet biometric requirements

💡 Tips

Immigration office Essen: Kruppstraße 16, 45128 Essen | Tel. 0201 88-38883
Appointments online only: termine.essen.de
After 3 years: independent residence right possible
Naturalization possible after 3 years of marriage

Appointment immigration office↗

Step 9

Change tax class

After the wedding, you can change your tax classes and possibly save taxes. This can be done online via ELSTER.

⚠️With different incomes, changing tax class can save money monthly.

⏰ After the wedding💰 0 €

📄 Required Documents

Marriage certificate(Required)

You get this directly after the wedding from Cologne registry office

Tax IDs of both partners(Required)

On your payslip or tax notice. Lost? Request new one from tax office

💡 Tips

Standard: 4/4 – both taxed equally
With income difference: check 3/5
4/4 with factor: compromise with different incomes

Change tax class online↗

Getting Married in Essen

Consultation for binational marriage

📄 Required Documents

Get foreign documents

📄 Required Documents

Register your marriage

📄 Required Documents

💍 Gemeinsame Absicherung als Paar

Choose wedding venue

Decide on name change

Apply for new ID card

📄 Required Documents

Update residence permit

📄 Required Documents

Change tax class

📄 Required Documents

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🔗 Related Topics