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Marriage in Denmark

In order for foreigners to marry in Denmark several conditions must be met. We advise that you read the following instructions carefully.
When 07.08.2020

The below information pertains to getting married in Copenhagen. Other municipalities may have different policies, so if you are not planning to get married in Copenhagen, you are encouraged to contact the appropriate municipality for more information.

If you have any further questions, please contact Familieretshuset here

You will normally have to stay in the municipality for about 3 days before the marriage. In order to get married in Copenhagen you need to appear at a Citizen Service Center. You will be asked to fill in a marriage form and present it along with the following documents:

  • Valid passports
  • Residence permits if you live abroad
  • Schengen visa if required, or proof of entry and arrival to Denmark or the Schengen area
  • Certificate of marital status: from the place you were born as well as from your present place of residence (if different)
  • Divorce decree if you've been divorced
  • Death certificate if you are a widow/widower

A certificate of marital status may also be requested from other places if applicable. The certificate must be no older than 4 months and must be translated into Danish, English or German. The certificate must include the following:

- Name
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Current address
- Citizenship
- Marital status 

For those residing in Canada, such a document can be obtained from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International trade. The document is called 'Statement In-Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad' and more information is available on this website.

  • Guardian's consent to the marriage if one of the parties is under guardianship 
  • If one or both of the parties involved have previously been married, you must also present the following documents:

DIVORCE DECREE: Complete original divorce decree, legally signed. The endorsement must bear the text ‘The Decree of Divorce has not been and cannot be appealed to a higher court. The parties are free to remarry’. Only decrees and certificates from the latest marriage should be submitted. The Registry office must approve the divorce decrees before you will be able to get an appointment. The decree should be submitted in the original and in a translated version, if not issued in Danish, English or German. Translations alone are not sufficient.

DEATH CERTIFICATE OF PREVIOUS SPOUSE: Death certificates must be approved before you request an appointment. The certificate must be submitted in the original and in a translated version, if not issued in Danish, English or German. Translations alone are not sufficient.

Divorce decrees and Death certificates issued in countries outside the European Union (with exception of the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, a.o.) must be presented in the original with a Legalization/Apostille. The complete legalization must also be translated and handed in.

- Legalization: Tripartite verification of the original document (not copy of the original) via the Interior- and Exterior Ministry of the issuing country as well as of the Danish Embassy.
- Apostille: Single verification of the original document (not copy of the original) via the Exterior Ministry of the issuing country.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Persons under the age of 18 may not contract marriage without permission from the Marriage Office. 
  • Persons who are applying for asylum cannot get married in Denmark. 
  • There is a fee for marriage if both parts have a permanent address outside Denmark. Please contact the City of Copenhagen directly to find the current fee.