diff --git a/frontend/messages/de.json b/frontend/messages/de.json
index 3635270a..920886a2 100644
--- a/frontend/messages/de.json
+++ b/frontend/messages/de.json
@@ -657,6 +657,8 @@
 	"register_btn_submit": "Konto erstellen",
 	"register_invalid_code": "Ungültiger Einladungslink",
 	"register_invalid_code_desc": "Dieser Einladungslink ist nicht gültig, wurde bereits verwendet oder ist abgelaufen. Bitte wende dich an den Administrator.",
+	"register_invite_only": "Das Archiv ist nur auf Einladung zugänglich.",
+	"register_invite_only_desc": "Für ein Konto benötigst du einen persönlichen Einladungslink. Bitte wende dich an ein Mitglied der Familie.",
 	"register_success": "Dein Konto wurde erfolgreich erstellt. Du kannst dich jetzt anmelden.",
 	"register_eyebrow": "Ein Familienprojekt",
 	"register_hero_headline": "Schön, dass du da bist.",
diff --git a/frontend/messages/en.json b/frontend/messages/en.json
index a05ce326..18fda68a 100644
--- a/frontend/messages/en.json
+++ b/frontend/messages/en.json
@@ -657,6 +657,8 @@
 	"register_btn_submit": "Create account",
 	"register_invalid_code": "Invalid invite link",
 	"register_invalid_code_desc": "This invite link is not valid, has already been used, or has expired. Please contact the administrator.",
+	"register_invite_only": "The archive is invite-only.",
+	"register_invite_only_desc": "You need a personal invite link to create an account. Please get in touch with a family member.",
 	"register_success": "Your account has been created. You can now sign in.",
 	"register_eyebrow": "A family project",
 	"register_hero_headline": "Glad you're here.",
diff --git a/frontend/messages/es.json b/frontend/messages/es.json
index 93c4d870..1e59d1c6 100644
--- a/frontend/messages/es.json
+++ b/frontend/messages/es.json
@@ -657,6 +657,8 @@
 	"register_btn_submit": "Crear cuenta",
 	"register_invalid_code": "Enlace de invitación inválido",
 	"register_invalid_code_desc": "Este enlace de invitación no es válido, ya ha sido utilizado o ha expirado. Contacta al administrador.",
+	"register_invite_only": "El archivo es solo por invitación.",
+	"register_invite_only_desc": "Necesitas un enlace de invitación personal para crear una cuenta. Ponte en contacto con un miembro de la familia.",
 	"register_success": "Tu cuenta ha sido creada. Ahora puedes iniciar sesión.",
 	"register_eyebrow": "Un proyecto familiar",
 	"register_hero_headline": "Qué bueno que estés aquí.",
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/register/+page.server.ts b/frontend/src/routes/register/+page.server.ts
index 49880cb1..dd656d5d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/register/+page.server.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/register/+page.server.ts
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ interface InvitePrefill {
 export const load: PageServerLoad = async ({ url, fetch }) => {
 	const code = url.searchParams.get('code');
 	if (!code) {
-		return { code: null, prefill: null, codeError: null };
+		return { code: null, prefill: null, codeError: 'NO_INVITE_CODE' };
 	}
 
 	const apiUrl = env.API_INTERNAL_URL || 'http://localhost:8080';
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/register/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/register/+page.svelte
index 447146aa..1e28050c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/register/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/register/+page.svelte
@@ -60,9 +60,13 @@ $effect(() => {
 						/>
 					</svg>
 					<h1 class="mb-2 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-ink uppercase">
-						{m.register_invalid_code()}
+						{data.codeError === 'NO_INVITE_CODE' ? m.register_invite_only() : m.register_invalid_code()}
 					</h1>
-					<p class="mb-6 font-serif text-sm text-ink-2">{m.register_invalid_code_desc()}</p>
+					<p class="mb-6 font-serif text-sm text-ink-2">
+						{data.codeError === 'NO_INVITE_CODE'
+							? m.register_invite_only_desc()
+							: m.register_invalid_code_desc()}
+					</p>
 					<a
 						href="/login"
 						class="font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-brand-navy/60 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"