), a universal system of register offices was established, taking effect on 1 January 1876.
The system had previously been introduced in Prussia on 1 October 1874, and had been in use since the beginning of the 19th century in areas where the French Civil Code applied.
Therefore, every German marriage takes place before the local registrar (called Standesbeamter).
Same sex life partnerships were also registered at Standesamts from 2001, until the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Germany in 2017.
People who are born in Germany can get a copy of their birth certificates in the Standesamt office.