Simultaneously and successively are different things.
Section 1306 of the Civil Code establishes the rule of one marriage at a time. An existing marriage or registered partnership with a third person prevents a new marriage. The rule concerns legal status, not merely whether people still live together.
Separation does not automatically end a marriage. For divorce, the court decision must become final. Widowed people can also generally remarry. There is therefore no lifelong ban on marrying again after a first marriage.
The other three answers
The incorrect answers confuse simultaneous marriages with a later new marriage.
you can have multiple spouses at the same time.
Multiple spouses at the same time contradict the rule tested here.
you may not remarry if you were married once.
A previous marriage does not create a lifelong ban on marriage. Once it has legally ended, a new marriage may be possible.
a woman may not remarry if her husband has died.
A widowed woman can also generally remarry. Her husband’s death does not create a special prohibition for her.
The exam answer does not replace checking all marriage requirements.
The end of a previous marriage is not the only requirement for a new marriage. The responsible civil registry office explains the evidence needed. Cases involving foreign documents may require additional checks.
This question concerns legal marriage. It does not determine how people organise friendships or unmarried relationships.
Section 1306 · Existing marriage · Civil Code ↗Only one marriage at a time; a later new marriage may be possible.
Look for “at the same time” in the answer. The other answers turn that timing rule into an incorrect lifelong ban.
Three words for this question
- die Eheschließungentering into marriage
- The legal act of entering a marriage.
- rechtskräftigfinal and legally binding
- A court decision has become final in law.
- verwitwetwidowed
- A person whose spouse has died.