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Updated July 22, 2026
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Denmark is popular because the legal steps are usually straightforward – but small mistakes in documents or timing can cost you days or even cancel a chosen date. This guide gives the exact steps you need to finish the paperwork, book the ceremony and leave Denmark with a legal certificate.
- Who can marry: couples of any nationality and gender (rules vary by municipality) .
- Typical processing time: 1-5 weeks depending on municipality and season. .
- Documents: passports, notice of marriage form, proof of marital status, divorce/death certificates where relevant; translations may be required.
- Fees: set by the wedding office/municipality – expect to pay a registration and ceremony fee; confirms at application.
Having a Dream Wedding in Denmark
You can get a simple, legally valid civil wedding in Denmark quickly – many municipalities are set up for international couples. But you also need to choose how hands-on you want to be: hire a Danish wedding planner who handles bookings, translations and legalisation, or do it yourself and save several thousand euros. Either way, the two risks to avoid are rushed paperwork and assuming every town handles foreigners the same way.
Getting Started
Start by picking the municipality where you want to marry. Waiting times and processes differ: some municipalities process applications within a week; others take several weeks, especially in peak season (May-September). Copenhagen is popular for foreigners because it is easy to reach, staff are used to international paperwork, and you can often legalise the certificate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly if needed.
Where to consider:
- Smaller municipalities like Ærø or Tønder are famous for fast processing and English-friendly services – many couples choose them for that reason.
- Copenhagen (København) is best if you want easy travel links, a choice of venues and quick access to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for legalisation.
Before you book anything, email the wedding office (the municipality or the national marriage unit) to confirm current waiting times and the exact list of documents they require. For central guidance and official forms see the Danish citizen portal at borger.dk.
Getting the Paperwork Right
Most refusals or delays come from missing or improperly translated documents. Below is the practical list and sequence that works for most couples.
- Check requirements with the wedding office you chose – ask which mail address and which person handles international applications.
- Collect the documents listed below and get them translated or apostilled if the municipality asks for it.
- Convert everything to PDF, attach to an email and send as instructed. Keep originals and certified translations with you for the ceremony.
- Wait for confirmation. The wedding office will tell you when you can collect a date and what fees to pay.
Documents you will typically need:
- Notice of Marriage / Notice form (signed). Ask the office for the correct form for international applicants.
- Valid passports for both partners.
- Proof of marital status / certificate of no impediment. This is an official statement that you are free to marry.
- Divorce decree or death certificate if either partner was previously married – bring originals and certified translations. If you need guidance on divorce documentation, see the divorce in Denmark guide for what courts and paperwork usually require.
- Birth certificates – some municipalities ask for them; check first.
- Proof of payment for any processing or ceremony fees.
Documents must be in Danish or English, or translated by an authorised translator. Some municipalities insist on an apostille or legalisation – confirm this before you leave home.
- Signed notice of marriage form
- Passports (scanned photo pages)
- Certificate of marital status / divorce papers if any
- Any required translations and apostilles
- Payment confirmation
If you are newly arrived in Denmark and still setting up life here, you might find other administrative tasks useful to handle while you wait – see our new to Denmark guide for practical next steps like CPR, bank accounts and registering with the municipality.
The Day
Plan to visit the wedding office on a working day for document verification. Even if your ceremony is scheduled at a weekend venue, the registration step usually happens on a weekday when the office opens. Bring all original documents that you submitted as PDFs.
What happens in the office:
- Officials verify originals and translations and confirm your identity from passports.
- They confirm the ceremony date and any witnesses required (some places require witnesses; some will provide an official to conduct a civil ceremony). .
- After the ceremony you will receive a marriage certificate. In Copenhagen it is often possible to legalise the certificate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the same day; in other municipalities the certificate is mailed to your address.
If you want a personalised ceremony, you can usually choose an indoor or outdoor setting and add short vows. Book any outdoor venue early if you plan a summer wedding – good sites are reserved fast.
Tip: If timing is critical (return flight, visa deadlines, legalisation needs), tell the wedding office your deadline upfront. Some municipalities will prioritise cases when you explain you need a certified certificate before travel.
After you are married, you may need to register the marriage with your home country depending on its rules. If you have family planning questions tied to living in Denmark, you can also check how local schools work at primary school in Denmark and how pensions affect household planning at pension in Denmark.
Email the wedding office at your chosen municipality with scanned PDFs of the notice form, passports and proof of marital status – ask them for current waiting times, witness rules and whether they require an apostille.