get married in Denmark as a foreigner
a step by step guide
If you're a foreigner looking for the PERFECT and EASIEST PLACE to get married, DENMARK may be the ideal destination for your wedding.
With its SIMPLE and STRAIGHTFORWARD LEGAL REQUIREMENTS, getting married in Denmark is perfect for those couples who want to avoid a difficult bureaucratic process and need things done fast.
This guide will walk you through the steps to plan your dream wedding in Denmark.
Choose a wedding location in Denmark
Denmark offers a variety of beautiful locations for your wedding, from historic castles to scenic beaches, from iconic canals to charming villages.
Consider the atmosphere YOU WANT for your special day and choose a location that fits your vision.
The MOST POPULAR WEDDING LOCATIONS in Denmark are:
Copenhagen City Hall
Located in the heart of the city, this is a beautiful example of Danish architecture.
The building is known for its iconic clock tower and beautiful interior decorations. GETTING MARRIED HERE offers a romantic and historic setting in one of Europe's most vibrant cities.
Stevns Klint
Stevns is a beautiful coastal area located in southeastern Denmark, about 1 hour drive from Copenhagen.
The TOWN HALL is located in the charming town of Store Heddinge and it’s conveniently close to the sea - by car!
This location is perfect for couples who love nature and want a beautiful outdoor wedding.
If you want, you can bring the register from Town Hall to a beautiful CHURCH BY THE CLIFF - a UNESCO SITE with an incredible view on the sea.
Fun fact. The coast is so close to Sweden that if you go to the church, you’ll most likely get a text message saying Welcome to Sweden!
Ærø Island
If you have time and dream of a place out of this world, then THIS is the place.
The ISLAND OF ÆRØ is my absolute favourite location in the entire country, with its hills and cliffs.
The town of Ærøskøbing is known for its historic houses and cobblestone streets, and the town hall is conveniently close to the harbour.
This island is perfect if you wish to have a little GETAWAY from city life and if you want a DREAMY and ROMANTIC WEDDING.
Oh, and they have the best salmon!
Ribe
Ribe is the OLDEST TOWN in Denmark and is known for its rich history and beautiful architecture.
The Town Hall is located in the heart of the town and offers a beautiful setting for a wedding. The interiors are elegant with beautiful decorations and chandeliers, making it perfect for a grand and luxurious ceremony.
It’s the ideal location if you plan to DRIVE TO DENMARK FROM GERMANY or France.
Keep in mind that some locations may require a longer waiting period or additional paperwork, so be sure to research the requirements for your chosen location.
There are many other places in Denmark if you wish to get married somewhere else, like Helsingør, Roskilde, Møns Klint, etc.
Gather all necessary documents and paperwork
Before you can get married in Denmark as a foreigner, you will need to gather all necessary documents and paperwork.
HERE’s a comprehensive list that the people from the agency Getting Married in Denmark have prepared - and by the way, they are THE BEST at what they do!
Make sure to research the SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS for your situation and location to ensure that you have all necessary documents in order.
Book an appointment with the local municipality
Once you have gathered all necessary documents, the next step is to book an APPOINTMENT with the local municipality where you plan to get married. This can typically be done online or by phone.
You’ll need to PROVIDE ALL YOUR DOCUMENTS and PAY ANY NECESSARY FEES. The municipality will then review your application and, if everything is in order, issue a MARRIAGE LICENSE.
It’s important to note that there may be a WAITING PERIOD before the license is issued, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Once you have the license, you are free to schedule your wedding CEREMONY.
Attend the wedding ceremony and sign the marriage certificate
The final step in getting married in Denmark as a foreigner is to COME HERE and GET MARRIED! In other words, attend the wedding ceremony and sign the marriage certificate.
This can be done at the municipality or at a location of your choice. Be sure to bring your PASSPORTS and marriage license.
After the ceremony, the MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE will be signed by you, your spouse, and any witnesses (you are more than welcome to bring your own witnesses, but it’s not necessary, as they will provide witnesses for you), and then registered with the municipality.
That’s it, you are now OFFICIALLY MARRIED in Denmark!
Register your marriage with your home country's authorities
At this point, the most important thing to do is REGISTERING YOUR MARRIAGE with the authorities in your home country.
This will ensure that your marriage is RECOGNIZED and LEGAL in your home country.
The process for registering your marriage will vary depending on your COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, so be sure to research the requirements and necessary documents needed.
Some countries may require a translated and legalized copy of your marriage certificate, so it’s important to plan ahead and allow enough time for this process.
So far we’ve talked about the BUREAUCRATIC PROCESS of getting married.
But you know what?
Now comes THE FUN PART, because although a marriage is a legal contract, it doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate it and be romantic about it.
After all, the act of COMMITTING YOURSELF to ANOTHER PERSON is one of the most profound and meaningful experiences in life, and there's no reason why it can't also be beautiful and romantic.
Whether you choose to have a small, intimate ceremony or a grand affair, the most important thing is that you celebrate your love in a way that feels AUTHENTIC and MEANINGFUL to you as a couple.
So go ahead and create the wedding of your dreams.
And don’t forget to BOOK YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER, to remember this moment forever!
You don’t want to have only shitty iPhone selfies after all this effort, do you?
