Applying for a baptism certificate – here’s how it works

If you would like to get married in church, you may need to apply for your baptism certificate beforehand if you do not have it

Apply for a baptism certificate for a wedding

A baptism certificate is an important document that is required for church marriages in particular.

• You can apply for a baptism certificate at the parish or church community where you were baptized.

• Submit a request for a baptism certificate either by telephone or in writing.

• If the parish or community in which you were baptized no longer exists, you can obtain information from a diocese or the regional church about where you can now apply for your baptism certificate.

• The documents are often sent free of charge, sometimes a fee of up to five euros has to be paid.

• Tip: To keep important documents such as your baptism certificate, marriage certificate and other documents neatly organized, you can use a document folder.

Apply for an international certificate of baptism

If you were baptized abroad and wish to marry in Germany or if you were baptized in Germany and wish to marry abroad, you will need an internationally valid certificate of baptism.

• First contact the church in which you were baptized.

• Explicitly ask for an international baptism certificate. This should be multilingual or contain a certified translation into German or the corresponding national language required.

• In some cases, the international baptismal certificate must be notarized by an authority in the country of origin. Check with your church for the exact requirements.