As a rule, yes, says the German embassy in Copenhagen. A marriage validly concluded in Denmark is effective in Germany without a recognition procedure, provided both of you were allowed to marry under the law of your respective home countries. In Austria it is likewise valid without a separate procedure, and in Switzerland it is entered in the register after you report it. After that, only three small formalities remain.
The legal basis
Recognition follows from international private law (in Germany: Art. 11 and 13 EGBGB). For the form, Danish law is sufficient; whether each of you was allowed to marry is governed by the law of your own home country. A marriage validly concluded in Denmark applies directly, without German involvement. The Danish marriage certificate is full proof; thanks to EU Regulation 2016/1191 it needs no apostille in Germany. According to the German embassy, a church wedding in Denmark is also recognised as a rule; who may marry in church there is explained in our guide Church wedding in Denmark.
The most important exception: if a previous marriage was dissolved by a divorce outside the EU, that divorce usually has to be recognised in Germany first (§ 107 FamFG). Otherwise the earlier marriage is still considered to exist here, and the new marriage can be annulled. How to clarify this before the wedding is explained in our guide to a second wedding.
What recognition enables
- Joint tax return (e.g. in Germany and Switzerland)
- Inheritance law: spouse's share, spouse's tax allowance
- Family reunification (e.g. residence permit for non-EU partner)
- Health insurance as a family member
- Pension and survivor rights
- Joint adoption
The three sensible follow-up steps
Take the international marriage certificate with you
You usually receive it directly after the ceremony, in five languages (Danish, German, English, French, Spanish). Because German is on it, you need no translation in Germany and, thanks to EU Regulation 2016/1191, no apostille. That also saves time and translation fees on later administrative steps. More on this in our guide to the international marriage certificate.
Bürgeramt, then tax office
First have the Bürgeramt (citizens' office) change your marital status in the residents' register, using the original marriage certificate. Only once the registration office has recorded the marriage do you automatically get tax class IV/IV; if you want a different combination such as III/V, you then apply for it at the tax office (Finanzamt). After that, inform your health insurer, pension insurance and employer; with the multilingual certificate this works without formalities.
Subsequent registration at the German registry office
The subsequent registration in the marriage register is voluntary but recommended (§ 34 PStG): afterwards you can get a German marriage certificate at any time. The responsible office is the registry office of your current or last place of residence in Germany, otherwise the Standesamt I registry office in Berlin. Costs and duration depend on the registry office.
Worldwide recognition
| Country | Recognition | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Germany, Austria | Without a recognition procedure | Multilingual certificate is enough, no apostille; must be reported in Austria (ZPR) |
| Switzerland | Report via the Swiss representation | Then entry in the civil register (Infostar); no apostille according to the representation's leaflet (original, max. 6 months), ask beforehand if filing directly with the canton |
| Ireland | Without a recognition procedure | No apostille (EU Reg. 2016/1191) |
| UK | Usually recognised | Apostille depending on the authority |
| USA, Canada | Usually recognised | Apostille depending on the authority, no central register |
| Turkey, Brazil | With apostille and translation | Entry in the home register |
