I got married abroad. Do I have to register my marriage separately in Germany?

There is no obligation to register a marriage made abroad separately in Germany. Properly issued foreign documents are generally recognised in Germany.

If at least one partner is a German citizen (or a stateless person or refugee living in Germany), you can optionally have the marriage entered in the German marriage register. This is called Nachbeurkundung (subsequent registration). The advantage: you get a German marriage certificate and no longer have to deal with translations and certifications every time.

The partners apply themselves. You apply at the Standesamt (registry office) in the district of your current or last address in Germany. If you've never had an address in Germany, Standesamt I in Berlin is responsible.

Documents usually required: application form, marriage certificate, both partners' birth certificates, passports or ID cards, documents on any previous marriages, certified German translations of foreign documents, and a naturalisation certificate (Einbürgerungsurkunde) if you have one.

Fees: 80 to 170 euros for the registration, depending on the applicable law. Each marriage certificate costs 12 euros, additional copies 6 euros.

If both partners are foreign nationals, this procedure doesn't apply to you. If you're a Turkish citizen, you also need to report the marriage to the Turkish civil registry through the consulate.