Standesamt#

Registry Office, authority of indirect federal administration entrusted with the conclusion of civil marriages and registration and issuing of certificates of births, marriages and deaths. Until January 1, 1939, these registers had been kept by the religious communities. Registry offices are subject to the district administrative authorities and also have to enforce court decisions (e.g. registration of divorces). They also keep records of births, families and deaths. Entries in these records are deemed authoritative until disproved.

Literature#