In Germany, the standard line would be:
Ich möchte um die Hand Ihrer (deiner, if you're on first-name terms) Tochter anhalten.

However, this practise is becoming a tad old-fashioned. All of my friends that got married so far just told their parents they were going to get married and asked for their blessing.

It really depends on your future in-laws and the bride-to-be. If the parents are the conservative type, they may expect you to ask for their approval. And if your girlfriend has a close relationship with her father, she may feel a lot happier about you asking formally.
I think, however, that most parents these days are glad if their 'children' get married at all (unless they don't like the future hubby or wife). And most 'children' really don't care about these old and dusty customs.

Does this information help you?

I'd suggest you ask your bride-to-be wether she thinks her parents would like you to ask them for her hand in marriage.
As Doris already said, most parents like to be informed and then give their blessing but asking for the hand in marriage is not too commom in Germany any more (well exept if you marry a kind of royal maybe...)

I agree with Doris and KayD. No-one I know actually asked their future in-laws, that is considered reeeally old-fashioned. Some people might think it cute if a man asked someone for his daughter's hand in marriage, but most would probably ask why on earth he did that. My husband and I just told our parents that we were thinking of getting married, and that was that.

Is this practice still common in the U.S., then? And what happens if dad says "no"?

who saw "the fiddler on the roof"?......... i guess it is pretty uncommon in the US as well but I think in Bible-Belt communities it might still be considerate to ask the parents.

> Is this practice still common in the U.S., then? And what happens if dad says "no"? --L

> but I think in Bible-Belt communities it might still be considerate to ask the parents. --Lukas

No problem, really. If you're in the Bible Belt and Dad says no, you simply take out your shotgun and ask again, more politely.