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American/German couple getting married in Germany

Choosing a Standesamt, work permits, other advice

Amnda2335
So I had a few questions about getting married in Germany, I searched the old posts and havent found what I was looking for so here are my questions.

1. I am American and my fiance is German, we live and are registered in Munich, but we would like to get married at the standesamt in Koln, does anyone know if that is possible?

2. I have been working in Germany for 3 years, when we get married is it better to keep my work permit (which is tied to my company) as it is or would it be better to get a new one because i am now married to a German. Does either have more benefits?

3. If we get married in Germany and decide to move to the US a few years later would we have any problems with our wedding certificate, getting agreen card, etc...

4. Is it better to have the legal marriage in Germany or America.

feedback would be great!
damara4178
First of all, congratulations!
As for your questions:
1. Not sure about this one. My husband and I were married in California (I'm Ami, he's Austrian). We got married in LA County, but had to get our license in Orange County where I have my residence. I know that you can get married by the Standesamt in Munich and have a church wedding anywhere . . . but that's not really your question

2. Depends on what you want. If you get great benefits (insurance, etc . . . ) through your company, then why bother; especially if you are planning to move back to the States. I got my residency in Germany after my marriage. I have my own business, but I don't see anything "special" about this type of immigration status. I don't (won't) take any social benefits; and we do plan on spending more time in the States in the near future.

3. Shouldn't be . . . assuming he has never been convicted of a violent/drug crime, is not a member of the Nazi or communist party, and has a German passport My husband and I hired an immigration lawyer to take care of all that crap, and it was a breeze; of course, the only difficult thing is that he has to spend more than 1/2 the year in the States . . . Tough when our business is in Munich.

4. I don't think it matters either way . . . The US certainly doesn't care, but you may have to provide a few more documents and translations. Anyway, it shouldn't be a problem at all.

Good luck with all of your planning
Krieg
1. Yes you can

2. You have to inform the AB of your new status. Anyway, the next extension of your residence will not be attached anymore to the company, if you stayed single you would get a PR in 2 more years. I guess, no big deal, no big difference.

3. Marriage in Germany should be valid in the USA and viceversa

4. I do not see any big difference.
Guy
1. Yes, but you have to apply through Munich.
ThunderCat
unlucky !
Niccijae17
Does anyone know about the work permits after you get married? We want to get married sometime in the future and I need a job after we get married... do you automatically get a work visa? if not how do you obtain it? I am an au pair here and before my year is over we plan to get married so when i need to get a new visa it hopefully goes smoothly what about living in the same house how would i change my address? anyone? thanks
dessa_dangerous
I was married in Berlin and was told that I couldn't even pick which Bezirk we got married in, let alone which city. We were forced to be married in the Standesamt in the Bezirk where we are Polizeiliche angemeldet. Do some more research before you set your sights on Köln.
Oblomov
You can marry wherever you like but you have to apply at your local Standesamt which will forward all documents to your Standesamt of choice. This rather unnecessary "Service" will cost another fee. Some Standesämter have very nice locations for the weddings, e.g. the Standesamt in Bonn uses the mayors ceremonial office in the old town hall. Such locations do have to be booked well in advance, though.
JSD
Congrats!

We had our ceremony in Köln in an old Spanish building. It is an incredible place--very impressive! The woman performing the ceremony was really wonderful. Köln is a wonderful place to get married!
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