The Registry Office (“Standesamt”) can only perform
genealogical research in the sense of family research if it holds the civil
status registers of the persons being searched for. Commercial genealogical
research by the Registry Office is not permitted.
The required civil status registers are located in the Registry Office District Central (“Standesamtsbezirk Mitte”) or the Registry Office District Höchst (“Standesamtsbezirk Höchst”), depending where the event took place.
How far back in time can the Registry Office (“Standesamt”) perform genealogical research?
Records of civil status registers at the Registry Office are kept for a limited period of time:
Birth registers 110 years
Marriage registers 80 years
Death registers 30 years
Civil partnership registers only exist for the period 1 August 2001 to 30 September 2017
The use of the civil status registers is subject to the data protection regulations of § 62 of the Personal Status Act ("PStG"). Please also see our article Ordering of certificatesInternal Link.
After expiration of the above-mentioned retention periods, records of civil status registers are handed over to the Institute of City History (“Institut für Stadtgeschichte”) for permanent storage.
For genealogical research, it is not advisable to come in person, as no immediate information can be given due to the extent of the research work.
We recommend that you contact us in writing:
Standesamt Frankfurt am Main
Berliner Straße 33-35
60311 Frankfurt am Main
With regard to a request for extensive supra-local genealogy research, you can find numerous offers of private companies on the Internet specialising in genealogy and family research.