Who issues divorce decrees in Germany?
Justice of the Peace (Standesamt) is authorized to issue divorce decrees. German divorce decrees become final one month after they are issued to allow parties to appeal. German nationals are not required to apply for a family book or to change their name upon marriage. So, having old last (maiden) name may not mean that the person has not married in the past. If marriage is between a German citizen and a foreign national, then the provisions of German private international law ( Introductory Act to the German Civil Code – Einführungsgesetz zum Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuch shall apply.
