Administrative services A-Z

If you have registered a civil partnership and need a new civil partnership certificate, you can apply for this at the registry office. To do this, please contact the registry office where you entered into the civil partnership.
The civil partnership certificate proves the establishment of your civil partnership and contains the first and last names at the time of establishment and before, the place and date of birth of the civil partners, the place and date of establishment of the civil partnership and details of the religious community of the civil partners.

You can request a civil partnership certificate at any time from the registry office in whose area you established the civil partnership.

You can obtain the civil partnership certificate in the following forms:

• Civil partnership certificate
• Certified printout from the civil partnership register

A certified printout from the civil partnership register shows all the data entered by the registry office in connection with the conclusion of the civil partnership;

You will receive the certificate, including any marginal notes, either as a

• a new printout from the electronic register (if already held by your registry office) or
• as a copy or verbatim copy of the civil partnership entry from the civil partnership register.

In addition to the details, the printout also contains any subsequent changes, such as dissolution notices.

Civil partnership certificates contain personal data, so their issue is subject to data protection restrictions.
You are eligible to apply under the following conditions:

• You are at least 16 years old
• You are one of the civil partners to whom the certificate relates
• You are the parents of the civil partner
• you are a child of the civil partner, or
• you are a sibling of the partner with a legitimate interest

Other persons, including close relatives such as aunts and uncles, will only receive a certificate if they can credibly demonstrate a legal interest (e.g. by means of a letter from the probate court).
If the civil partnership was applied for abroad, you must first have it certified in Germany.

To apply for a civil partnership certificate, you will need

• Your identity card or passport
• if applying for or collecting by a representative: written authorization from the authorized person, their identity card or passport and the identity card or passport of the representative
• for other persons, proof of their legal interest

Costs may be incurred for the issue of a certificate. Please contact the relevant registry office.

Personal application:

The personal application is made as follows:

• An appointment at the registry office may be required to apply in person.
• You must present your identity card or passport.

You pay the fee directly at the registry office when you apply.

In addition to yourself, a person you trust may also order and collect the certificate on your behalf. In addition to a written power of attorney, they must present your identity card or passport (original or copy) and their own identity card or passport.

Application by post:

The written application is made as follows:

• Address an informal letter to the relevant registry office asking them to issue you with a civil partnership certificate.
• Your letter should contain the following information:
  • Surname, first name
  • Your registration address
  • Place and date of the establishment of the civil partnership
  • if known: Registry office and registration number
  • the reason for the application
  • If applicable, further evidence, e.g. for the legal interest
• Enclose a copy of your identity card or passport with the letter.
• You will then receive a notification of fees and the civil partnership certificate.

Online application:

You can also apply online and the civil partnership certificate will then be sent to you by post

The responsible registry office

• § Section 58 of the Civil Status Act (PStG)
• § Sections 61-66 of the Civil Status Act (PStG)
• § Section 5 (5) of the Civil Status Act (PStG)
• § Section 48 (1) of the Ordinance on Civil Status (PStV)
• § Section 50 (1) of the Ordinance on Civil Status (PStV)

If the civil partnership data changes, for example due to a change of name or dissolution of the civil partnership, the civil partnership entry is supplemented by a subsequent certification. A new civil partnership certificate can be issued upon request.

• Information from the Federal Ministry of the Interior on civil status law

Senator for Internal Affairs, Department 23 - Civil Status Law, of the State of Bremen