Getting Married in Denmark
For decades Denmark has been the easiest place in Europe for international couples to marry – a short document list, no residency requirement, and approval that can come in days. Getting married in Denmark is the quiet workaround thousands of binational couples use every year when the paperwork at home is impossible. Here is exactly how it works, what it costs, and what marriage does (and does not) do for your right to stay.
Overview
Denmark has been the go-to country for international weddings for over 60 years, and more than 20,000 couples make the trip every year. The reason is simple: where most countries bury foreign couples in certificates, translations and residency requirements, Denmark asks for very little and processes it quickly. For a couple of different nationalities – especially one trying to build a life together across a visa border – it is often the only realistic path to a legal marriage, and getting married in Denmark has become a quiet institution for couples in exactly that position.
This guide covers the whole process: who can marry here, the documents you need, the approval certificate from the Danish Agency of Family Law, the ceremony itself, what it costs, and the part most people are really asking about – whether marriage helps you stay. It is a plain-English overview, not legal advice; your exact requirements depend on your circumstances, so confirm them with the Agency of Family Law (links in Sources).
A short, simple document list · no residency requirement · you can apply entirely online · you can marry on a tourist visa · no minimum number of days in the country · approval often issued in days. In short, it removes the bureaucracy that makes marrying elsewhere so hard.
Why getting married in Denmark is so popular
The appeal of getting married in Denmark is entirely practical. The things that make marriage abroad a nightmare – long waiting periods, demands for a “certificate of no impediment”, proof of residence, mountains of legalised paperwork – are mostly absent here. A few specifics that draw couples from all over the world:
- No single-status or birth certificate required in most cases – a sticking point that stops couples marrying in many other countries.
- You can marry on a tourist visa (or any visa that lets you enter legally).
- No residency requirement and no minimum stay – in straightforward cases you could arrive, marry and leave within a day or two.
- The application is handled online through one government agency.
- Approval is fast – often issued within days for simple cases, with a wedding date secured soon after.
Who can marry here
The bar is low, but there are a few non-negotiables. To marry in Denmark you must:
- Be able to enter Denmark legally – on a valid visa, visa-free travel, or a residence permit.
- Both be at least 18 and there of your own free will.
- Not already be married – if either of you was married before, you will need a divorce decree or a death certificate.
Same-sex couples are equally welcome (more on that below), and you do not need to be a resident, a citizen, or even a frequent visitor.
The Agency of Family Law actively screens for pro-forma (sham) marriages entered into purely to gain residence rights. Depending on your circumstances you may be asked for evidence that your relationship is real – so keep documentation of your time together. A genuine couple has nothing to worry about; this simply is not a shortcut for people who are not actually a couple.
Documents you need
What you need to get married in Denmark depends on your nationality, your circumstances and where you each live, and the Agency of Family Law will confirm what applies to you. For most couples, though, it is short:
- A valid passport for each partner (or national ID for some EU citizens)
- Proof you can enter Denmark legallyA visa, residence permit, or evidence of visa-free entry, depending on your nationality.
- If previously married: a divorce decree or your former spouse’s death certificate
- A completed marriage application / relationship formSubmitted to the Agency of Family Law as part of the online application.
- Sometimes evidence of your relationship, if the agency requests it
Documents not in Danish, English or German usually need a certified translation. Notably, you do not generally need a single-status certificate or a birth certificate – the absence of those two requirements is a big part of why this works.
The prøvelsesattest (your approval to marry)
Before any foreign couple can marry, you must apply to the Danish Agency of Family Law (Familieretshuset) for an approval certificate – the prøvelsesattest. It is formal confirmation that you meet the legal conditions to marry in Denmark, and it is required for residents and international couples alike.
- Apply online to the Agency of Family Law and pay the application fee.
- Once approved, the certificate is valid for four months – you must hold your wedding within that window, or reapply.
- Processing varies with how complete and complex your case is; simple applications are often turned around quickly.
Only once you have the prøvelsesattest can you book a ceremony at a town hall. Think of it as the gate; the wedding is what comes after.
The ceremony
Most international couples getting married in Denmark choose a civil ceremony at a town hall (rådhus), conducted by a registrar. It is short and warm – usually 10 to 15 minutes – ending with the registrar presenting your marriage certificate. A religious or church ceremony is also possible if you prefer.
- Two witnesses must be present. If you are travelling without any, many town halls can provide them on request – confirm in advance.
- You can choose your town hall. Couples marry everywhere from Copenhagen to the island of Ærø, which has built a romantic reputation as a wedding destination.
- Some town halls ask to see your documents the day before; others on the day. At most, that means one night in Denmark.
Costs and timing
There are two costs to getting married in Denmark: the government application fee for the prøvelsesattest, and any town-hall fee (these vary by municipality, and some ceremonies on certain days carry a charge). Many couples handle everything themselves; others use a wedding agency for a flat package, which is optional and adds to the cost.
| Step | Roughly how long |
|---|---|
| Gather documents | Depends on your situation |
| Apply & get approval (prøvelsesattest) | Often days for simple cases |
| Book & hold the ceremony | Within the 4-month validity |
| Register the marriage at home | After you return |
Fees change, so confirm the current application fee and any municipal charge before you budget.
Same-sex marriage
Denmark was a pioneer – it became the first country in the world to recognise registered same-sex partnerships in 1989, and opened full marriage to same-sex couples in 2012. Getting married in Denmark works exactly the same for same-sex couples as for anyone else, and the country is genuinely welcoming, which is why many same-sex couples from less accepting countries choose to marry here.
Marriage and the right to stay
This is the question behind most searches, so here is the honest answer: a Danish marriage certificate is not, by itself, a residence permit. What marriage can do is open a separate application:
- Married to a Danish citizen (non-EU spouse): you can apply for family reunification through the immigration authorities. Denmark’s rules here are among Europe’s stricter ones, with conditions on both partners.
- Married to an EU citizen exercising free movement: you may have a route to residence under EU rules, which are generally more generous.
You marry first, then apply for residence separately, and approval is never automatic. This is also exactly why the Agency of Family Law screens for sham marriages. If your relationship is genuine, marrying in Denmark is simply a clean, fast way to make it official.
After the wedding
Your Danish marriage is legally valid, but you will usually need to register it in your home country when you return – call your local authority ahead to check whether they need the certificate legalised with an apostille. If you are (or are becoming) a resident, you can then update your details, sort any name change, and reflect the marriage on your CPR record.
Questions and answers
Can we really marry on a tourist visa?
Yes. As long as you can legally enter Denmark – on a tourist visa, visa-free travel, or a residence permit – you can marry here. There is no requirement to hold any particular long-stay visa.
How fast can the whole thing be?
For a straightforward couple, approval can come within days and a ceremony can follow soon after, all inside the four-month validity of the prøvelsesattest. Complex cases (previous marriages, documents needing translation, relationship checks) take longer.
Do we have to live in Denmark to marry here?
No. There is no residency requirement and no minimum stay. Many couples are in the country only for a day or two around the wedding.
Will our Danish marriage be valid back home?
A Danish marriage is internationally recognised, but most countries ask you to register it locally on your return, and some want the certificate legalised with an apostille first. Check with your home authority before you travel.
Do we need to bring witnesses?
You need two witnesses at the ceremony. If you are travelling alone, ask your chosen town hall in advance – many can provide witnesses for you.