Wedding Abroad RulesNot legal advice. Marriage rules change and local offices interpret them differently. Confirm every requirement with the civil registry or embassy before you book or pay. Disclaimer
Legal for visitors?Yes
Wait / residencyNone; certificate applied for in advance
Government feeDKK 2,100
Same-sexLegal marriage
6 of 10 facts read on an official page; 1 not confirmed. Badges show the source level of each fact.
Where couples get confused
Denmark is the 'Vegas of Europe' for paperwork-heavy couples, but its DKK 2,100 fee is non-refundable if you get anything wrong.
The rules
- Legal ceremony for visitorsOfficial ✓
- yesAgency of Family Law (Familieretshuset) issues a Certificate of Marital Status; municipality performs the wedding. Popular quick option for international couples.
- Residency or waiting timeOfficial ✓
- No residency; must be legally in Denmark (visa-exempt passport or visa OK).
- Required documentsOfficial ✓
- Photos of every passport page; proof of legal entry/stay; divorce/death/annulment proof with Danish/English/German translation; residence certificate if living together abroad; children's birth certificates if any.
- Apostille / translationOfficial ✓
- May need legalization/apostille (Familieretshuset)
- Blood or medical testSnippet / semi-official
- No (not listed)
- WitnessesNot confirmed
- Not confirmed, check with the registry or embassy
- Who officiatesSnippet / semi-official
- Municipal registrar or church
- Same-sex couplesOfficial ✓
- Legal (FCDO).
- Recognized in the US, Canada, UKSnippet / semi-official
- US: generally valid if valid where performed; confirm with your state Attorney General (State Dept). Canada: usually valid if legal where performed, no need to register (travel.gc.ca). UK: no general statement found on gov.uk - unverified.
- Government feeOfficial ✓
- DKK 2,100 non-refundable application fee for the Certificate of Marital Status (reviewed annually)
⚠ Pitfalls and scams to watch
Certificate valid 4 months; passports older than 10 years (even if extended) aren't valid for entry; one-party applications refused.
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Sources
Quotes copied from official pages on 2026-10-21. Items marked as a snippet were seen in search results because the page blocked our checker.
- feehttps://familieretshuset.dk/familieretshuset/en/your-life-situation/international-marriages/you-are-both-eueea-citizens/apply-for-a-certificate-of-marital-status/
you must pay a fee of DKK 2,100 ... the administration fee is not refundable once you have sent your application.
- validityhttps://familieretshuset.dk/familieretshuset/en/your-life-situation/international-marriages/you-are-both-eueea-citizens/apply-for-a-certificate-of-marital-status/
A Certificate of Marital Status is valid for four months from the date it is issued.
- residencehttps://familieretshuset.dk/familieretshuset/en/your-life-situation/international-marriages/you-are-a-citizen-of-a-country-outside-europeeea/legal-residence-for-marriage-in-denmark/
Legal residence in Denmark can be based on ... Citizenship from a visa-exempt country.
All sources consulted
- https://familieretshuset.dk/familieretshuset/en/your-life-situation/international-marriages/you-are-both-eueea-citizens/apply-for-a-certificate-of-marital-status/
- https://familieretshuset.dk/familieretshuset/en/your-life-situation/international-marriages/you-are-a-citizen-of-a-country-outside-europeeea/legal-residence-for-marriage-in-denmark/
- https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/denmark
- https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/living-abroad/marriage.html
- https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/documents/marriage-overseas
Last checked 2026-10-21. Spot something out of date? Email hello@weddingabroadrules.com.
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