How a foreign couple can get married in Denmark: timelines, fees and apostille

A foreign couple can register their marriage in Denmark within a few days. The decision is made by a government agency, not by the administration of the city where you live. The application is submitted online, and the ceremony is conducted by the municipality you choose.

A certificate of marital status is usually issued within five working days if the documents are in order (as of 10/2026, Familieretshuset, processing times). When papers are missing, the timeline stretches: the agency requests additional documents and returns to the case later.

How a foreign couple registers marriage in Denmark

💡 In short:

• Both partners fill out the online application, each their own part.
• The application includes a passport, proof of legal entry, and documents on marital status.
• The agency reviews the package and issues a certificate of marital status.
• With the certificate, you book a ceremony in the municipality you choose.
• Fees and processing times: 10/2026, according to the Danish Agency of Family Law.

The procedure is short but consists of two different stages. First, the Agency of Family Law checks whether there are any obstacles to marriage and issues a certificate. Only after that does the city administration conduct the ceremony itself.

The right to enter and stay is checked separately. Both partners must be in Denmark legally, and the status must be confirmed with documents. Do not confuse the two documents: the certificate confirms the right to marry, while the residence permit concerns your status in the country.

Gender and citizenship do not matter. Denmark registers same-sex marriages too, and the document requirements are the same as for opposite-sex couples.

What the certificate of marital status confirms

This is not a marriage certificate but a permit to register. The document confirms that you meet the requirements of the Marriage Act and that there are no obstacles to the ceremony. Without it, the municipality will not conduct the ceremony.

The agency issues the document under four conditions: both partners have submitted their parts of the application, the fee is paid, all documents and information are received, and the conditions for marriage are met. If at least one item is not closed, the case stands still, and you only learn about it from correspondence with the agency.

Who decides on the application

International marriages in Denmark are handled by the Agency of Family Law (Familieretshuset). It checks the documents and decides whether you meet the requirements of the Marriage Act. You send the papers to the agency, not to the municipality: the administration only conducts the ceremony once the certificate is in hand.

The agency looks not only at the papers but also at the general conditions of the Marriage Act. That is why both partners submit the application, and each is responsible for their own part.

The timeline depends on the completeness of the package, and there are two risks here. First: if documents are missing, the agency requests additional ones and the case goes to the back of the queue. As of October 2026, applications for which a request was sent back in August were still in progress. Second: if the second partner does not submit their part of the application within 14 days, the case is closed, and then the application must be submitted again, and you pay the fee again.

Which documents to prepare in advance

The list is short, but every paper is checked carefully. According to the Agency of Family Law (verified 10/2026), you will need:

• a passport, with photos of all pages, including the cover and blank sheets;
• an ID card instead of a passport if you are an EU citizen;
• proof of the right to enter and stay in Denmark;
• a certificate of cohabitation if you live together outside Denmark;
• birth certificates of shared children;
• documents on the termination of previous marriages: a divorce decree, a death certificate, or an annulment certificate.

Passport photos must be in color and clear: the agency has a separate instruction on image quality. An unclear scan is returned, and that costs you several days.

Documents in Danish, English, or German are accepted as is. Everything else must be translated, and sometimes also legalized or provided with an apostille. Check this in advance, because translation takes time, and without it the package is incomplete.

How private services help

The state charges only a fee for processing the application. Most of the time goes to translations, apostilles, and correspondence, so some couples hire an intermediary.

Among such services is marriagedenmark.de: the site offers marriage registration for foreign couples in Denmark and guides the couple from the first consultation to the apostille. According to the site, over five years the service has assisted more than 800 couples. The service prepares the document list for a specific couple free of charge, while a review of a complex situation costs €200 and is credited toward further services (verified 10/2026).

Besides the ceremony, the service helps with visas, family reunification, and residence permits. It also accepts requests through a form on the site and in a messenger app (according to the site, 10/2026).

The service openly lists the cases it does not take on: relationships shorter than six months, rare meetings when living in different countries, a summons to an interview, expired documents, and a residence permit that expires in less than a month (according to the site, 10/2026).

How to submit the application step by step

• Gather the documents and order translations.
• Fill out the online application: first one part, then the second.
• Pay the processing fee. Without payment, the agency does not start the review.
• Wait for the certificate of marital status.
• Book a ceremony in the municipality and bring the originals.

The order matters. If you send your part and your partner delays theirs, the clock is already ticking, and the case may be closed. So it is better to assemble the package once and completely.

Costs: fees and translations

The couple pays the state directly; an intermediary is not required. An apostille is not always needed: it all depends on the country where you will register the marriage. Translation is required only for documents not issued in Danish, English, or German.

Count travel and accommodation separately. The ceremony takes place in Denmark, so add the trip and at least one night to the fees. Here the costs depend on the city and season, and you can save by choosing a municipality farther from the capital.

Apostille and recognition of marriage abroad

An apostille confirms the authenticity of the signature and seal on a document. Abroad it is required more often than a translation. In Denmark, the stamp is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and one document costs 250 DKK.

Order the apostille right after the ceremony while you are in Denmark. The apostille is placed on the original or on a document with a digital signature; a plain copy will not work. You receive the marriage certificate on the spot, and the stamp is processed separately.

To register the marriage in your home country, you usually need both documents: the apostille and a certified translation. Requirements differ, so check the list with the authority that will record the marriage.

Where ceremonies are held in Denmark

The ceremony can be held in almost any municipality in the country. Foreign couples most often choose large cities and islands: Copenhagen with its city hall, the island of Ærø, old Ribe, Tønder near the German border, and Bornholm.

Each place has its own character, and the choice is influenced not only by logistics. If you are traveling as a couple, an island gives a quiet ceremony and a sea view. If family is flying with you, it is easier to stay in Copenhagen or Frederiksberg: there are more hotels and transport options.

You can get there by car, train, or ferry, so an island does not necessarily mean a long journey. Check ferry and train schedules in advance, especially in summer, and confirm the date before buying tickets.

What to do after the ceremony

You receive the marriage certificate on the day of the ceremony, so immediately check how the names and dates are written in it. Correcting an error later is slow and expensive.

At home, the marriage is registered with the authority that keeps civil status records. In some countries this is a mandatory formality; in others it is enough to show the document when updating papers. The exact procedure depends on the country, so clarify it in advance.

If you are planning a move, the marriage documents will be needed for a residence permit and family reunification. Make several certified copies and keep the original separate from them.

Where couples lose time

• A passport nearing expiration. Check the dates before submitting.
• Translations into the wrong language. Danish, English, and German are accepted.
• Only one part of the application filled out. The second is mandatory.
• No document on a previous marriage. Without it, the package is incomplete.

Check the list twice before paying the fee. Most often the delay comes from a small thing: a passport nearing expiration or a translation into the wrong language. The material is for reference and does not replace professional advice.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How long does the whole procedure take?

The timeline depends on the completeness of the package. When the documents and translations are ready, the certificate arrives quickly, and then all that remains is to choose the ceremony date. If the agency requests additional documents, the case goes back into the queue, and the wait stretches for months. So first the certificate, and tickets and ceremony booking after that.

Do you need EU citizenship to get married in Denmark?

No. The agency works with couples from different countries, including partners without EU citizenship. An EU citizen can submit an ID card instead of a passport; everyone else needs a passport. There is one condition: both partners must be legally present in Denmark at the time of application.

Is such a marriage recognized in another country?

Yes, but the procedure depends on the country. The Danish certificate is recognized abroad, and most often an apostille and a certified translation are required for this. The apostille is issued by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so it is better to arrange the document right after the ceremony. Check the translation requirements with the authority where you will register the marriage.

Is an apostille needed on documents when applying?

Sometimes. The agency itself decides whether legalization or an apostille is needed for foreign documents, and this depends on the country that issued them. Check the requirements before submitting so you do not have to assemble the package again. If in doubt, order the apostille in advance: the procedure takes several days.

What if one of the partners was previously married?

Attach a document on the termination of the previous marriage: a divorce decree, a death certificate, or an annulment certificate. It must also be translated if it is not in Danish, English, or German. Without this paper, the package is considered incomplete, and the agency will request additional documents.

Do you need to book the ceremony in advance?

Yes, and it is better to do so after receiving the certificate, because without the document the municipality will not confirm a date. In summer, popular places like Ærø and Tønder are booked earlier, and fewer open slots remain. If you are flying with guests, add a buffer for flights and accommodation so the booking does not depend on a single date.

Can guests come to the ceremony?

Yes. Danish municipalities usually allow guests and photos during the ceremony. The exact rules depend on the specific municipality, so clarify them when you book the date. If there are many guests, choose the venue in advance.

In short: what to check before applying

Before applying, check the validity of the passports, the translation languages, and both parts of the application. A complete package saves weeks: the agency takes up the case immediately and does not request additional documents.

If your case is simple, you can handle it yourself. With a shared child, a previous marriage, or a partner from outside the EU, help with documents saves time. Such services are provided by private agencies, including marriagedenmark.de (verified 10/2026).

The main rule is simple: first the certificate of marital status, then tickets and ceremony booking.