Family Book

In the period from 1958 to 2008, the family book was a civil status book that was created after each marriage in Germany, on request also for marriages abroad, and continued at the residence registry office. It contained information about the spouses, the marriage dates, the names of the spouses, parents and children of the spouses and about the termination of the marriage.

The family book has often been confused with the family register, which contains only a privately owned collection of documents (marriage certificates, birth certificates, death certificates). In addition, it has been little used due to a lack of awareness.

With the entry into force of the civil status amendment on 1 January 2009, the creation and continuation of family books has ceased to exist. Instead, the marriage entries in the marriage registers are now continued by the marriage registry offices. After there, the old family books have also been handed in. Marriage certificates can be issued from the family books to be continued as marriage entries.