Thinking about tying the knot in Denmark? Great choice! Getting married in Denmark as a foreigner is a seamless and appealing option drawing couples from across the globe. Denmark is welcoming international couples from around the world and its efficient bureaucracy makes it a breeze for foreigners looking to get married in Denmark. To make the whole process as easy as possible for you, we have created a guide to help you navigate the essential steps and requirements for marriage in Denmark.
Residency Requirements
One of the most significant advantages of getting married in Denmark is no strict residency requirements. Foreigners can arrive in Denmark on a tourist visa and embark on their journey to getting married in Denmark within just a few days, making it a convenient choice for international couples. However, you must provide legal documentation and adhere to specific procedures.
Choose a Location
Denmark offers countless beautiful and historic locations for your wedding, including Copenhagen, Toender, Aeroe, Ribe and more. Select the city or town that best suits your preferences and book a suitable venue for your wedding.
Gather Required Documents
To get married in Denmark, you’ll need to assemble a set of essential documents.
These include:
- Valid passport.
- Proof of your legal residence, such as a visa or entry stamp.
- Original birth certificates of your children together.
- A certificate of marital status (single, divorced, widowed) is indispensable for the process of marriage in Denmark.
- If applicable, divorce or death certificates from previous marriages to ensure your eligibility for marriage in Denmark.
- Two witnesses (can be friends or family members), a key requirement when getting married in Denmark. The witnesses can also be provided by the town hall.
- It is also important that all your documents are in English, German, Danish or another nordic language. If not, they would need to be translated and notarized by an official translator. This is a critical step in the process of marriage in Denmark for foreigners.
Apply for “Ægteskabsattest”
The next step is scheduling an appointment with the Agency of Family Law (Familieretshuset) to apply for a marriage license (Prøveelsesattest), a pivotal step in the process of getting married in Denmark. This document is issued once your wedding application is approved. The “Prøvelsesattest” is the document which gives permission to get married in Denmark and is valid for 4 months. This means that you have to select a wedding date within 4 months of the Prøvelsesattest has been issued.
Wedding Ceremony
For the actual wedding ceremony, you can choose between a civil or religious ceremony, depending on your personal beliefs and preferences. Civil ceremonies are conducted at the local town hall, while religious ceremonies can take place in a church or other suitable religious institutions. This step is the heart of the process of marriage in Denmark.
Marriage Certificate
Following the ceremony, you’ll receive a marriage certificate in Danish. If needed, you can request an international version in English or German, which can be particularly useful for foreign couples planning their marriage in Denmark.
Post-Wedding Formalities
Once you’re married, don’t forget to inform your home country’s authorities and update your marital status, an essential post-marriage task for foreigners getting married in Denmark. The validity of your Danish marriage certificate may depend on the laws and regulations of your home country, so it’s vital to clarify these details and ensure that your marriage in Denmark is legally recognized abroad.
After your wedding, you have the perfect opportunity to enjoy your honeymoon in Denmark, exploring its rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and historic sites, making the entire process of marriage in Denmark for foreigners even more memorable.