Getting married in Denmark is usually very straightforward and easy, especially for international couples. The country offers a fast application process, minimal documentation requirements and welcoming city halls and beautiful locations like Copenhagen and the Danish islands.
But while the Danish system takes care of everything you need for a legal marriage within Denmark, many couples wonder what happens after the ceremony and you’ve gotten married. More specifically, what needs to be done to ensure that the marriage is recognised and registered in back home in your country of residence.
Once you are married in Denmark, your union is legally valid under Danish law. You will receive a marriage certificate issued by the Danish authorities, confirming the legal date and location of your marriage. However, if you are not a Danish citizen and you plan to live, work or apply for spousal rights in your home country or another country, you will likely need to register your marriage there as well.
Denmark does not automatically send information about your wedding to the authorities in your home country. This means you must take the necessary steps yourself to ensure your marriage is recognised by the relevant government agencies. Each country has its own rules and procedures for how to handle a foreign marriage certificate, so it is essential to check what is required in your specific situation.
After your wedding, you can request an international version of your Danish marriage certificate. This certificate is issued in multiple languages and includes the names of both spouses, the place and date of the wedding and official signatures from the authorities. It is a crucial document if you need to prove your marital status abroad.
In many cases, especially within the European Union, the international version of the certificate will be enough to have your marriage recognised. However, even within Europe, there are local variations, and some authorities may still require additional steps before they will register your marriage in their national records.
While a Danish marriage certificate is legally valid internationally, it may be treated as a foreign document in your home country. To confirm the authenticity of the certificate, you may need to get an Apostille stamp. This stamp is issued by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and confirms that the marriage certificate is genuine and was issued by the correct public authority in Denmark.
Whether or not you need an Apostille depends on the country where you want to use the certificate. If your home country is part of the Hague Convention, there is a strong chance the Apostille will be required. In contrast, if you live within the EU or in a country that has bilateral agreements with Denmark, the Apostille may not be necessary – although some individual offices may still request it depending on their internal guidelines.
It is always safest to contact your local civil registry or embassy to confirm whether an Apostille is required. If you wait until you return home before asking, the process may be slower and more complicated. For that reason, many couples choose to handle the Apostille procedure while they are still in Denmark, or through their wedding planner if they used one.
Once you are married in Denmark, you will receive a Danish marriage certificate, and in many cases an international version of it. This document serves as the official proof that your marriage has taken place and is legally valid under Danish law. However, once you return to your home country, this certificate will typically be considered a foreign document. That means you cannot automatically use it in legal, administrative or personal matters without taking the right steps to make it officially recognised.
To use your Danish marriage certificate in your home country, the first step is to understand the legal requirements in that country. Some countries, especially those within the European Union, may accept the certificate directly, particularly if it is issued in multiple languages. Others may require additional validation steps, such as legalisation through an Apostille or a sworn translation by a certified translator.
It is essential to contact the relevant authority in your home country, such as the civil registry or family law office, to confirm what kind of documentation they require. If your country is a signatory to the Hague Convention, then your marriage certificate will likely need to be legalised with an Apostille stamp issued in Denmark. This Apostille confirms the authenticity of the certificate so that your local authorities can accept it without needing further verification from Danish institutions.
Once your certificate has the Apostille, and if necessary has been translated into the relevant language, you can then use it for a wide range of purposes. These may include updating your marital status in the national registry, applying for spousal visas, filing for joint taxes, opening shared bank accounts, or changing your surname. Each of these steps may require additional supporting documents, but the Danish marriage certificate, once properly legalised, will serve as the legal foundation for all of them.
It is important to understand that getting legally married in Denmark does not automatically mean your marriage is registered or recognised in your country of residence or citizenship. Recognition depends on your home country’s legal framework, and it is your responsibility to ensure that your marriage is formally acknowledged once you return.
Failing to register your marriage in your home country may lead to complications in the future. Even though the ceremony took place legally and your marriage certificate is valid, your home country may not consider the marriage to be legally binding unless you complete the necessary steps to report it to the relevant authority. This can affect important life events and processes, such as applying for spousal visas, claiming inheritance rights, registering children born within the marriage, or accessing tax benefits for married couples.
To avoid such complications, you should contact the appropriate office in your home country – often a local registry or family court – and ask them how to report or register a foreign marriage. In some countries, the process is simple and only requires the submission of your Danish marriage certificate, possibly with an Apostille. In other cases, there may be a formal registration process where your certificate is examined, translated, and entered into the national database of marriages.
If you are unsure about the exact process, it is wise to speak with a legal adviser, a consulate, or a local authority familiar with international marriages. They can guide you on how to ensure that your marriage is not only valid in Denmark but also fully recognised where you live or plan to settle. Taking these steps promptly after your wedding can save you time, reduce stress, and help you fully benefit from the legal rights and responsibilities of marriage in your home country.
If you are unsure about how to proceed, or if you prefer a smooth and stress-free experience, a professional wedding planner in Denmark can assist with the Apostille process and document preparation. This ensures that your marriage certificate is ready for use internationally without the risk of delays or rejections.
At Wedding Planner Denmark, we offer full support with the post-wedding documentation, including the Apostille service, as part of several of our packages or as an individual service. Our team is experienced in helping international couples navigate the administrative steps needed after a wedding in Denmark and will guide you every step of the way. Contact us today to get started.
Getting married in Denmark is simple and elegant, but the process does not end with the ceremony. To ensure your marriage is valid in your home country, you need to take action. This includes obtaining your international marriage certificate, understanding your country’s requirements and potentially applying for an Apostille.
By handling these steps early and accurately, you can fully enjoy your newlywed life with the peace of mind that your marriage is legally recognised wherever life takes you
