Requirements to Marry in Denmark

June 12, 2026

Many international couples quickly discover that Denmark is one of the best countries to get married in as a foreigner. Although the process is often simple and straightforward, there are still certain legal requirements you must meet before your wedding can take place.

In this post, we’ll guide you through the marriage application process in Denmark, the basic conditions for getting married, and other important rules that may apply to your situation.

Blog categories

Apply for Certificate of Marital Status

Before you can get married in Denmark, you need a Certificate of Marital Status. This document confirms that you and your partner meet the requirements of the Danish Marriage Act and are legally allowed to marry in Denmark. Whether you must apply through Familieretshuset or directly to the municipality depends on your nationality and your residence basis in Denmark.

You must usually apply through Familieretshuset if you or your partner is not a Danish or Nordic citizen, does not have an indefinite residence permit in Denmark, or does not have an indefinite right of residence in Denmark under the EU residence rules. If both of you are Danish or Nordic citizens, have indefinite residence permits in Denmark, or have an indefinite EU right of residence in Denmark, you normally apply directly to the municipality instead.

This application is one of the most important steps in the process. You cannot simply choose a town hall, book a date, and arrive for the ceremony. First, the Danish authorities must review your case and approve that you meet the legal requirements. Once your application has been approved, you can move forward with choosing a city hall or wedding location.

What documents do you need?

There are also general legal conditions that every couple must meet before getting married in Denmark.

Both partners must be at least 18 years old and unmarried. If one or both of you have been married before, the previous marriage must be legally dissolved before you can marry again. Marriage between close relatives is not allowed, and if one of you is under guardianship, the guardian must consent to the marriage.

These conditions may sound simple, but they can become more complex when documents come from different countries. For example, a couple where one partner was divorced in the United States and the other was widowed in a non-EU country may need different types of documentation, translations, and possibly Apostille stamps. Another couple where both partners are EU citizens and have never been married may have a much simpler document list.

No pro forma marriage

Denmark does not allow pro forma marriages, also known as marriages of convenience. This means that you cannot get married if the purpose is to obtain residence rights in Denmark, the EU, the EEA or Switzerland.

In some cases, the authorities may ask for information about your relationship, such as how you met, how long you have been together, or whether you have lived together. Genuine couples should not be worried, but your application should always be honest, clear and consistent.

Lawful entry and lawful residence in Denmark

To get married in Denmark, both of you must be able to enter and stay in Denmark legally at the time of the wedding. This can be based on citizenship, visa-free entry, a valid visa, a residence permit or EU/EEA residence rights.

A tourist visa is often sufficient, as long as your stay is lawful. However, procedural residence, known in Danish as “processuelt ophold,” is normally not enough to get married in Denmark.

How long does the approval take?

Familieretshuset states that, as a general rule, you can expect to receive your Certificate of Marital Status within five working days if nothing is missing from the application and you meet the conditions for marriage. If additional information is requested, the process can take longer.

This is why careful preparation matters. At Wedding Planner Denmark, we help you understand which documents apply to your situation, prepare the application correctly, and avoid the common mistakes that can delay your approval.

Get help with your marriage application in Denmark

Getting married in Denmark can be simple, romantic, and efficient, but the legal application must be handled correctly. Whether you are both EU citizens, one of you is from outside the EU, you are travelling on a tourist visa, or one of you has been married before, the right preparation makes the entire process easier.

At Wedding Planner Denmark, we assist international couples with the full application to Familieretshuset. We help you gather the correct documents, review your case, and guide you through the practical steps so you can focus on what truly matters: celebrating your love in Denmark.