Versorgungsausgleich (pension equalization)

• existing German pension entitlements (Versorgungsanwartschaften) You or your former spouse must have acquired German pension entitlements. The pension entitlements that are taken into account for the Versorgungsausgleich (pension equalization) are, for example, pension entitlements in the statutory pension insurance scheme, pension entitlements to a civil servant's pension or from a supplementary public-sector pension scheme, and pension entitlements in an occupational or private retirement pension scheme in Germany and abroad. • After a divorce abroad: filing an application After a divorce abroad, the Versorgungsausgleich (pension equalization) is only carried out domestically if you file an application with your competent Familiengericht (family court).

• Application for the equalization of pensions (Versorgungsausgleich) following a divorce abroad You must submit a written application to the competent family court (Familiengericht). The application can be informal or you can use the form. • Information on the former spouse In the application you must state your name and the name of your former spouse, as well as each person's current address. • Signature of the applicant You must sign your application personally, unless you are represented by a lawyer. Legal representation is not required. • Proof of identity showing your nationality (certified copy of your passport) For an application for equalization of pensions relating to a marriage divorced before 1 September 1986, the nationality of the husband at the time of the divorce may be relevant. • Marriage certificate (original or as a publicly certified copy) • Divorce decision or divorce judgment (original or as a publicly certified copy) • Proof of legal validity (Rechtskraftnachweis) The divorce decision or divorce judgment must bear a so-called certificate of legal validity (Rechtskraftvermerk). • Translations Documents in a foreign language must be submitted together with a certified German translation. • Proof of service You must enclose with your application for equalization of pensions a court certificate or an acknowledgement of receipt showing when your divorce application was served on the other party. If you both jointly initiated the divorce proceedings, proof must be provided of the date on which your joint application was received by the court. • Proof of authorization to receive service (Zustellungsbevollmächtigung) Parties to the proceedings who do not have their permanent residence in Germany should designate in writing a person in Germany who is authorized to receive service (e.g. for the formal service of a court decision). This saves time and costs, since it makes a legal assistance procedure for service abroad unnecessary. • Submission of further documents depending on the circumstances of the case Depending on the circumstances, you may need to submit further documents to the court, for example: • If your former spouse has already died: their death certificate and the names and/or addresses of the surviving dependants and heirs. • If you have made private agreements or there are court arrangements concerning the equalization of pensions or pension entitlements: proof of these. • if applicable, proof of recognition of the foreign divorce service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/328695/ Submission of such a recognition decision is not required if you were divorced • after 1 March 2001 in a member state of the European Union (except Denmark) or • by a joint home country court (gemeinsames Heimatgericht) abroad.

• Application for the implementation of the Versorgungsausgleich (pension equalization) following a divorce abroad www.berlin.de/gerichte/_assets/was-moechten-sie-erledigen/an • Zustellungsvollmacht (power of attorney for service of documents) www.berlin.de/gerichte/_assets/was-moechten-sie-erledigen/zu

• at least 106.00 euros: advance payment of court costs (Gerichtskostenvorschuss) In pension equalization proceedings (Versorgungsausgleichsverfahren), court costs generally apply, for which you must pay an advance. The amount of the court costs depends on your net income and the net income of your former spouse, as well as on the number of domestic and foreign pension entitlements to be examined.

• Gesetz über das Verfahren in Familiensachen und in den Angelegenheiten der freiwilligen Gerichtsbarkeit (FamFG), insbesondere die §§ 102, 111 Nr. 7, 217-229 (Act on Proceedings in Family Matters and in Matters of Non-Contentious Jurisdiction, in particular §§ 102, 111 No. 7, 217-229) www.gesetze-im-internet.de/famfg/ • Versorgungsausgleichsgesetz (VersAusglG) (Pension Equalization Act) www.gesetze-im-internet.de/versausglg/ • Gerichtsverfassungsgesetz (GVG) § 184 - Übersetzungen (Courts Constitution Act, § 184 – Translations) www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gvg/__184.html • Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) § 184 - Zustellungsbevollmächtigter; Zustellung durch Aufgabe zur Post (Code of Civil Procedure, § 184 – Authorized recipient for service of documents; service by deposit with the postal service) www.gesetze-im-internet.de/zpo/__184.html

The processing time for the Versorgungsausgleichsverfahren (pension equalization procedure) depends primarily on the number of pension entitlements to be examined, as well as on your support and cooperation. Where the valuation of foreign pension entitlements is relevant, it may also be necessary to obtain actuarial expert opinions. This may, in some cases, result in additional costs.

• Search for the responsible civil Amtsgericht (local court) (Orts- und Gerichtsverzeichnis, directory of locations and courts) www.justizadressen.nrw.de/de/justiz/suche

• Amtsgericht Schöneberg (Familiengericht) (local court - family court): locally and internationally responsible if both divorced spouses are living abroad at the time the Versorgungsausgleich (pension equalization) proceedings are initiated. • Amtsgericht (Familiengericht) (local court - family court) of the place of residence: if one of the former spouses lives in Germany, the application must be filed with the family court responsible for that spouse's place of residence. The local court districts are not always identical to the administrative districts. Please determine your responsible civil local court at www.justiz.de/OrtsGerichtsverzeichnis/index.php.