Known for its liberal and transparent marriage laws, Denmark offers a fast-track path to legal marriage that attracts couples from all over the world. Whether it is because of strict requirements in their home countries, bureaucratic delays, or legal complications due to differing nationalities, more and more couples are choosing to say “I do” in Denmark.
The process is simple, the required documents are few, and the approval timeline is often much shorter than in other countries. Add to that the fact that Danish marriage certificates are internationally recognised and accepted in many legal systems, and it becomes clear why Denmark has earned its reputation as Europe’s express wedding capital.
But who exactly can get married in Denmark, what is required to gain approval from the Danish authorities, and how can you make sure your marriage certificate can be used legally back home?
This guide explains who can get married in Denmark, how the application process works through Familieretshuset, and why many couples choose to have their Danish certificate legalised with an Apostille for international use.
Denmark welcomes couples from a wide range of countries and backgrounds. Whether you are from Germany, Italy, the United States, India, Turkey, Nigeria, or the Philippines, you can usually get married in Denmark without any special complications. One of the main reasons couples choose Denmark is that it provides a much faster and less complicated alternative to marriage procedures in their own countries. In some places, residency is required. In others, getting married can involve waiting periods of several months. In Denmark, the rules are simple, and the process is clearly defined.
There is no requirement to be a resident of Denmark. Most couples simply travel to Denmark shortly before their wedding day and leave again once the ceremony is complete. The flexibility and efficiency of the Danish system make it ideal for couples who want to marry legally while avoiding unnecessary delays or travel commitments.
Before getting married in Denmark, your application must be approved by the Danish Agency of Family Law, known as Familieretshuset. This is the authority that handles all marriage approvals for international couples. To begin the process, you must submit your application along with the required documents. These typically include:
Once your documents are submitted and approved, the approval is valid for four months. This gives you time to travel to Denmark and complete your wedding at the town hall of your choice. Many couples opt for popular locations like Copenhagen, Odense, or one of the many picturesque towns that offer civil wedding ceremonies in a charming setting.
It is important to understand that if you wish to get married in Denmark quickly, the way you submit your application can make a significant difference. A properly completed application with the correct supporting documents can be approved in just a few days, while an incorrect or incomplete submission can result in delays of several weeks or even months. If your application is rejected or returned due to missing information, the processing time starts over, often leading to frustrating setbacks, especially for couples working within tight travel schedules or visa windows.
This is why many couples choose to work with an experienced wedding planner such as Wedding Planner Denmark. With our in-depth knowledge of the Danish system, we help you prepare your application correctly the first time, ensuring that all the necessary documents are collected, translated if needed, and submitted in the correct format. In addition to handling the paperwork, we can assist with booking your preferred town hall, coordinating dates, and providing personalised support throughout the entire process. With our help, you can save valuable time and avoid the stress of navigating the process on your own, giving you the freedom to focus on the joy of your upcoming wedding in Denmark.
After your ceremony, you will receive an official Danish marriage certificate. While this certificate is fully valid within Denmark, it is often treated as a foreign document when used outside the country. For this reason, many couples need to have it legalised with an Apostille to ensure that it is officially recognised abroad. The Apostille is a special certification issued by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs that confirms the authenticity of the marriage certificate for use in other countries, particularly those that are part of the Hague Convention.
In some countries, such as Germany, the Apostille is often required before the certificate can be used for administrative purposes like name changes, visa applications, or family reunification. In others, especially outside the EU, it may be a legal necessity. Fortunately, the Apostille process in Denmark is simple and quick, and many couples choose to handle it immediately after the wedding. At Wedding Planner Denmark, we assist couples with this step to ensure there are no complications when using the certificate abroad.
You can get married in Denmark no matter where you’re from. But if you want the entire process to run smoothly and get married as fast as possible, you’ll need help.
At Wedding Planner Denmark, we guide you through every step of the process. From preparing and submitting your application to ensuring your documents meet all the legal requirements, we make sure nothing is left to chance. We also help you book your ceremony at a town hall of your choice, coordinate dates that suit your travel plans, and answer any questions along the way. Whether you need basic assistance or full service planning, we’re here to make your wedding in Denmark as smooth, stress-free and beautiful as possible.
If you’re ready to begin or simply want to learn more about your options, feel free to contact us today. We’re here to help you turn your dream of getting married in Denmark into a reality.
