Conversion of a civil partnership into a marriage

The affected partners register the intended conversion of their civil partnership into a marriage with the competent registry office.

In order to register the marriage, both life partners usually visit the responsible registry office together. If one of the two life partners is unable to attend, he can authorize the other life partner in writing. The registry office requires the written power of attorney of the prevented life partner.

If both are prevented for good cause, they can also notify the conversion in writing or through an authorised representative.

To the registry office in whose jurisdiction one of the two partners has his domicile (main or secondary residence) or his habitual residence. If none of the partners has a residence in Germany, the registry office before which the marriage is to be concluded is responsible.

The two life partners must live in a registered civil partnership and declare to each other personally and with simultaneous presence in front of a registrar that they want to have a marriage for life with each other.

• valid identity card or passport
• Extended registration certificate of the registration authority
• if the birth was certified in Germany: certified extract from the (electronic) birth register or certified copy from the birth register
• if the birth was certified abroad: current birth certificate

If the existing civil partnership has not been established at the registry office that is to receive the declaration of conversion, the life partners must also submit a civil partnership certificate or a printout from the civil partnership register.

There are no fees if the marriage is to take place during the general opening hours in the rooms of the registry office.

If the declaration of conversion is to be made at the request of the life partners outside the general opening hours and/or outside the offices of the registry office, fees of 59.00 euros to 177.00 euros will be charged.

• §11, §12, §14, §15, §16, §17a Civil Status Act (PStG)
• §§ 28 f. Ordinance on the Implementation of the Civil Status Act (PStV)
• § 20a Act on Registered Civil Partnership (LPartG)
• § 1310 Civil Code (BGB)
• § 1353 Civil Code (BGB)
• § 1355 Civil Code (BGB)
• No. 16.1.3.1.2 and 16.1.3.2 of the Land Ordinance on fees for general and internal administration, including the police administration (Special List of Fees)
• No. 16.1.3.1.2 and 16.1.3.2 of the Land Ordinance on fees for general and internal administration, including the police administration (Special List of Fees)

For the rights and obligations of the spouses, even after the conversion of the civil partnership into a marriage, the date of the establishment of the civil partnership is decisive.

08.02.2019