Marriage in Denmark
If you’re living in Europe and want to get married without waiting for an extended period or facing unnecessary complexity, consider Denmark as your ideal destination. In Denmark, the process typically takes one week if all requirements are fulfilled. However, getting married in Denmark involves several steps and requirements to ensure that couples meet the legal criteria for marriage.
Here’s a comprehensive guide for you to start the process:
Step 1: Check your Eligibility
To be eligible for marriage in Denmark, both partners must meet the following criteria:
Age Requirement: Each partner must be at least 18 years old.
Marital Status: Both individuals must be unmarried at the time of applying for marriage in Denmark.
Previous Marriages: If either partner was previously married, the prior marriage must be legally dissolved before seeking remarriage.
Step 2: Check your Legal Residence
In order to get married in Denmark, you both have to meet legal requirements for entering and staying in the country. Eligibility can be established through various means, including:
Danish Citizenship: If either you or your partner hold Danish citizenship, they are eligible to marry in Denmark.
Nordic Citizenship: If you both have citizenship in another Nordic country, you are also eligible to marry in Denmark.
EU/EEA Citizenship or Swiss Citizenship: if you are holding citizenship of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you meet the eligibility criteria for marriage in Denmark.
Residence Permit in Denmark: Having a valid residence permit in Denmark allows couples to legally marry within the country.
Visa for Denmark or a Schengen Country: If you both hold a visa to enter and stay in Denmark or another Schengen country, you are eligible to marry in Denmark.
Step 3: Gather Your Documents
Once you have confirmed your eligibility and already have a legal status or residence card, you need to gather several essential documents to proceed with your marriage in Denmark. These documents typically include:
Passports or ID Cards: Both partners must provide valid passports or ID cards as proof of identification.
Documentation of Legal Residence: You both must submit documents confirming their legal residence status in Denmark, which could include residence permits, EU residence cards, or visas for Denmark or another Schengen country.
Certificate of Marital Status (if applicable): If anyone of you was previously married, they must present a certificate confirming the dissolution of the previous marriage, whether through divorce, death, or annulment.
Birth Certificates of Children (if applicable): If you have children, you need to provide the birth certificates of your child or children as part of the documentation process.
Important Notes for Foreigners
If you are from another country, depending on the country of origin, your foreign documents may need to be legalized or have an apostille stamp to be recognized in Denmark. This process ensures the authenticity of your documents.
When you apply online, ensure that all documents are submitted as clear and easily readable color pictures. If your documents are in a language other than Danish, German, or English, you must have them translated by a certified translator into one of these languages. In addition, during your meeting at the marriage office, you must present both the original documents and copies.
Step 4: Pay the Fee for Marriage
Once you have completed your documents and followed the first three steps, you must pay the fee to initiate the process. Your application will not proceed until the fee is paid. You can pay the application fee either during the digital application process or via bank transfer. The fee is non-refundable if the marriage conditions are not met. The fee for marriage in Denmark is 1900 DKK, which is around 253 euros.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
To initiate the marriage process in Denmark, you both need to submit your application, referred to as a “notice of marriage,” to the Agency of Family Law. You can submit your application in two different ways.
NemID/MitID Application (for residents in Denmark)
Residents in Denmark can apply for NemID or MitID, which are digital identification systems used for accessing various online services in Denmark.
To apply, you typically need to visit a citizen service center (Borgerservice) or a bank in Denmark in person, where you will provide identification documents and complete the registration process.
Once registered, you will receive a NemID or MitID, which consists of a username, password, and a key card or app for generating one-time codes.
SMS-Login Service (for applicants from other countries)
If you are not a resident of Denmark and do not have NemID, you can still apply through the SMS-Login service available on the official website.
The SMS Login service allows you to verify your identity using your mobile phone number.
To apply, you would need to visit the official website of the service provider and navigate to the registration or application section.
During the registration process, you will have to provide personal information and your mobile phone number.
After providing the necessary details, you will receive an SMS with a verification code on your mobile phone.
Enter the verification code on the website to complete the registration process.
Once registered, you can use the SMS-Login service to access the online services provided by the organization.
Important Note for you
Please note that specific procedures and requirements may vary depending on the service provider and the nature of the online services you are accessing. Read more about the application process and procedures.
Step 6: Wait for Processing
After submitting the application, you have to wait and let the process be done by the marriage office. Remember, the processing time for a certificate of marital status is usually completed within five working days if all required information is provided. However, if additional documentation or clarification is needed, processing may extend up to two months.
Step 7: Get Your Marriage Certificate
Once the marriage office has completed all necessary procedures and accepted all your documents, confirming that both partners meet the required conditions, the marriage certificate will be issued. Upon receiving the certificate, both partners can proceed with their marriage ceremony in Denmark.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grant a power of attorney to someone in Denmark to assist with marriage proceedings?
Yes, you can grant power of attorney to a third party, such as a lawyer, to assist with the submission of the notice of marriage.
How long is the marriage certificate valid if you get married in Denmark?
If you get married in Denmark, it’s important to note that the marriage certificate issued by the marriage office is valid for four months from the date of issuance. After four months, you will need to obtain a new and fresh marriage certificate.
What is the process for getting married in Denmark?
To apply for marriage in Denmark, you need to send an application, known as a notice of marriage, to the Agency of Family Law and pay a fee of DKK 1,900. If the conditions are met, the agency will issue either a certificate of marital status or a marriage certificate, depending on whether you intend to marry in Denmark or abroad. This certificate is valid for 4 months from the date of issuance. If you don’t marry within this period, you’ll need to re-apply, submitting all documents again and paying a new fee.
How do I apply if both partners have MitID?
If both partners have MitID, it’s mandatory to apply using the Agency of Family Law’s digital application form, where you log in and sign using your MitID.
What if only one partner has MitID?
If only one partner has MitID and you’re completing the application together, you can choose to either log in using MitID or use SMS text message login. If you’re not completing the application together and the other party doesn’t have MitID, you still need to apply digitally using your MitID, and the other party will receive an email for SMS text message login.
What if I’m exempted from digital posting by public authorities?
If you’re exempted from Digital Post, you can print the forms and submit them manually.
What documents are needed when applying online for marriage in Denmark?
When applying online for marriage in Denmark, it’s essential to submit clear and easily readable color pictures of all documents. If the documents are not in Danish, German, or English, they must be translated by a certified translator into one of these languages. Additionally, during the meeting at the marriage office, both the original documents and copies must be presented.
Can I login without MitID?
If you don’t have MitID, you can still use the Agency of Family Law’s digital application form, logging in via SMS text message login.
Does the marriage application fee remain refunded in case of any issue?
The fee is non-refundable if the conditions for marriage in Denmark are not met. That means if you paid the fee and, during the process, did not meet the requirement, then your fee would not be refunded by the marriage office.
Which European country is suitable for an easy and quick marriage?
Denmark is widely regarded as one of the most suitable countries in Europe for easy and quick marriage. Generally, the process takes around 7 days if all required documents and requirements are completed. Therefore, if you are living in a European country and seeking to marry quickly and conveniently, Denmark is likely the best option for you.
What happens if the fee is not paid promptly after the application is submitted?
The application will not be processed until the fee is received. If the fee is not received shortly after the application is submitted, a reminder for payment will be sent. If the fee is still not received, the application will be rejected.
How can I pay the fee when completing the digital application form?
You can pay the fee when completing the digital application form with the notice of marriage. This is the fastest way to commence your application, as the payment of the fee occurs simultaneously with signing and submitting the application. It’s important to have your payment card ready during the application process.
Can I pay the marriage fee via bank transfer?
Yes, you can also pay the fee via bank transfer. The amount should be deposited into the Agency of Family Law’s account with Danske Bank. You must include your CPR number or your name and passport/ID number when making the payment to ensure it is associated with your application.
Can I pay a fee from a foreign bank account?
If you have a foreign bank account, you must use specific information for making the payment to the Agency of Family Law. You should include your CPR number or your name and passport/ID number to ensure proper association with your application.
Can I pay the fee in cash to the marriage office in Denmark?
No, the Agency of Family Law does not accept any cash from you. Payments must be made either through the digital application form or via bank transfer using the provided information.
Can I appoint a representative to submit the application for me?
Yes, you can appoint a representative to submit the application on your behalf, but you must grant them power of attorney to do so. However, you must still sign the application with the notice of marriage, making a statutory declaration.
Can I apply for a residence card after marrying a Danish citizen?
Yes, you are eligible to apply for a residence permit or card based on your marriage to a Danish citizen, but you must understand that to get Danish residence, your spouse must fulfill certain requirements. Learn how to apply for Danish residence based on your spouse’s requirements.
Disclaimer
While we make an effort to offer accurate and current information, it is advisable to independently verify the details on the official Danish government website for absolute accuracy and clarity.
Our blog’s objective is to offer helpful information and direction for completing the application process for getting married in Denmark. It is important to rely on the official resources and procedures outlined by the relevant immigration authorities to ensure the most precise and up-to-date information for your application.
What do we hope from you?
We hope that this blog post has improved your understanding of how to get married in Denmark without any difficulty.
If you have any questions to ask, you are welcome to leave a comment below or get in touch with us at support@migratewisdom.com.
