0 € (Beratung), 100-500 € (Übersetzungen, Apostille), Trauung Mo–Fr bis 13 Uhr: ab 37 € | ab 13 Uhr + Sa: Aufpreis | besondere Trauorte: zusätzlich, ca. 40–80 € (abhängig von Personenstand und Unterlagen), 0 € (bei Trauung) | Spätere Änderung: ca. 30–60 €, Personalausweis: 37 € (unter 24 Jahre: 22,80 €) | Reisepass: 70–92 €, 0 €, 0 € (Vergleich kostenlos)

What happens if I miss the deadline?

Binationale Ehen brauchen 3-6 Monate Vorlaufzeit! Dokumente aus dem Ausland, Übersetzungen und OLG-Prüfung dauern lange.

Getting married in Bochum 2026 – Registry office, deadlines & name change

Step 1If one partner is foreign⏱ 5–10 Min

Consultation for binational marriage

🚨

Frist: 6+ months before wedding · Binational marriages need 3-6 months lead time! Documents from abroad, translations and court review take long.

If one of you is not a German citizen, you MUST first make a consultation appointment at the registry office. There you'll learn which extra documents you need.

📄 Required Documents

Foreign partner's passport(Required)

Must be valid – issued by passport authority in home country

Residence permit (if applicable)(Required)

If already living in Germany – issued by immigration office Cologne

💡 Weitere Tipps

Consultation is MANDATORY and free
You get an individual checklist with all documents
Many countries don't issue marriage eligibility certificates → exemption by Cologne court needed
Brazil, Turkey, Russia and more need court exemption

Book consultation↗

Step 2If one partner is foreign⏱ 5–10 Min

Get foreign documents

🚨

Frist: 4-6 months before wedding · Getting documents from abroad can take weeks. Start early!

The foreign partner needs documents from their home country. These often need an apostille and translation by a sworn translator.

📄 Required Documents

Birth certificate with parents' names(Required)

Request from registry office in home country – must be recent

Certificate of no impediment(Required)

Varies by country – from registry office, consulate or court in home country

Marriage eligibility certificate(Optional)

From home country – many countries don't issue one, then exemption by Cologne court (approx. €300)

Apostille or legalization(Required)

Apply in home country – at foreign ministry, court or responsible authority

Sworn translations(Required)

From sworn translators in Germany – list at Cologne district court or justiz-dolmetscher.de

💡 Weitere Tipps

Apostille: Apply at authorities in home country
Translators in Cologne: List at district court
International certificates (multilingual) don't need translation
Some consulates can help

Translator list Cologne↗

Step 3⏱ 10–15 Min

Choose wedding date & venue in Bochum

Wedding appointments in Bochum can be reserved online up to 12 months in advance. Bochum offers exceptional venues – from the Zeiss Planetarium to the Jahrhunderthalle. Note: The historic town hall is currently being renovated – alternative venue at Musikschule Westring 32.

⚠️Saturday weddings and evening appointments are very popular – reserve early! Weddings after 1pm and Saturdays cost extra.

⏰ Bis zu 12 Monate im Voraus reservierbar💰 Trauung Mo–Fr bis 13 Uhr: ab 37 € | ab 13 Uhr + Sa: Aufpreis | besondere Trauorte: zusätzlich

📅

Save this deadline to your calendar so you don't forget.

When is / was das Trennungsdatum?

Works with iPhone, Google Calendar, Outlook and many others.

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo

•� Registry Office: Town Hall, Willy-Brandt-Platz 2-6, 44777 Bochum (Level 3)

📞� Phone: 0234 910-1951 | Mon–Wed 8–15h | Thu 8–16h | Fri 8–12h

⚠️️ Town hall wedding room closed for renovation – alternative: Musikschule Westring 32

💡 Weitere Tipps

⭐ Special venues: Zeiss Planetarium, Jahrhunderthalle, Anneliese Brost Musikforum
🚃 Tip: Historic tram BoGeStra available as wedding transport

Reserve wedding date online↗

Step 4⏱ 10–15 Min

Register marriage at Bochum registry office

Marriage registration must be done in person at Bochum registry office – both partners must appear (exception: power of attorney). Registration is valid for 6 months. Walk-ins possible at the information desk during opening hours.

⚠️For international couples: additional documents required (apostille, certified translations). Enquire early at Bochum registry office.

⏰ Anmeldung ist 6 Monate gültig – Timing an Trautermin anpassen💰 ca. 40–80 € (abhängig von Personenstand und Unterlagen)

📄 Required Documents

ID card or passport(Required)

Certified copy of birth register entry(Required)

Not older than 6 months

Current registration certificate(Required)

Evidence of previous marriages(Optional)

Divorce decree or death certificate

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo

📞� Appointment: 0234 910-1951 or online

💡 Weitere Tipps

💡 Info desk: walk-in during opening hours
🌍 International couples: enquire early – foreign documents take time
📋 Check required documents online at bochum.de/standesamt

Book registry office appointment↗

Step 5⏱ 10–15 Min

Decide on name change

You can decide at the registry office during the ceremony whether and who changes their name. Options: shared married name, each keeps own name, double-barrelled name. A later change is more complicated.

⚠️Only one partner can use the double-barrelled name – not both. Think carefully!

⏰ Entscheidung bei der Trauung treffen💰 0 € (bei Trauung) | Spätere Änderung: ca. 30–60 €

💡 Weitere Tipps

💡 No rush: you can still determine the married name after the wedding
📋 Double name: only one partner can use it
🌍 International marriage: name law of the other country may apply

Book registry office appointment↗

Step 6⏱ 10–15 Min

Apply for new ID card

After a name change, a new ID card must be applied for. This is done at Bochum citizens' office (Mitte or Wattenscheid) with appointment. Bring the marriage certificate.

⚠️Also renew passport! And: bring marriage certificate.

⏰ Zeitnah nach der Hochzeit💰 Personalausweis: 37 € (unter 24 Jahre: 22,80 €) | Reisepass: 70–92 €

📅

Save this deadline to your calendar so you don't forget.

When is / was das Hochzeitsdatum?

Works with iPhone, Google Calendar, Outlook and many others.

💡 Weitere Tipps

📍 Bürgerbüro Mitte or Wattenscheid
📅 Appointment: termine.bochum.de or 115
⏱️ Wait: 3–6 weeks

Book appointment Bochum citizens' office↗

Step 7⏱ 2–5 Min

Change tax class

After the wedding you can change tax class at Bochum tax office. Classic combo: III/V (one earns much more) or IV/IV (similar income). Responsible tax office Bochum: Bochum-Mitte or Bochum-Süd depending on address.

⚠️Tax class III/V is only worthwhile if one partner earns significantly more – otherwise tax arrears at the annual return!

⏰ Jederzeit möglich – rückwirkend ab Jahresbeginn💰 0 €

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo

🏢 Alle Standorte anzeigen (2 Büros)

🏢 Tax office Bochum-Mitte: Pieperstraße 18-28

🏢 Tax office Bochum-Süd: Ostring 29

💡 Weitere Tipps

💻 Online via ELSTER (elster.de)
💡 IV/IV with factor: often fairest with similar income

Change tax class online (ELSTER)↗

Step 8⏱ 2–5 Min

💍 Joint protection as a couple

After the wedding it's worth reviewing and possibly combining insurances: liability, household contents, disability. Many insurers offer combo rates for married couples.

⚠️Liability insurance: often one partner can be included without extra premium.

⏰ Zeitnah nach der Hochzeit prüfen💰 0 € (Vergleich kostenlos)

📅

Save this deadline to your calendar so you don't forget.

When is / was das Hochzeitsdatum?

Works with iPhone, Google Calendar, Outlook and many others.

💡 Weitere Tipps

💡 Combining liability insurance often saves €20–40/year
🔍 Compare: check24.de or verivox.de
📋 Disability: younger = cheaper – check now

Compare insurances as a couple*

⏱ 2 Minuten💰 Kostenlos🔒 Unverbindlich

Getting Married in Bochum in Bochum

Consultation for binational marriage

📄 Required Documents

Get foreign documents

📄 Required Documents

Choose wedding date & venue in Bochum

Register marriage at Bochum registry office

📄 Required Documents

Decide on name change

Apply for new ID card

Change tax class

💍 Joint protection as a couple

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

📋What you should do next: