Section 1 - Which Documents Are Required for Marriage in Denmark?
Let's begin with the fundamental requirements for marriage in Denmark.
Generally, couples will need to provide the following documents for both partners:
Valid passport or EU ID card
Signed Declaration of Truth (provided for your signature)
Signed Power of Attorney (provided for your signature)
Depending on your circumstances, you might also require one or more of the following:
Visa
Residence permit
Divorce decree, divorce certificate, or death certificate if previously married
Original birth certificate of shared children
Permission to marry (if in military service)
Proof of shared address
Declaration under section 11b of the Danish Marriage Act for spousal reunification
Regarding the necessary documents for marriage in Denmark:
The list isn't as extensive or complex as in many other countries. Nevertheless, there are additional factors to consider when dealing with legal paperwork.
You might need document translations, legalization for specific papers, and be mindful of the validity period of your 'Prøvelsesattest' or 'Certificate of Marital Status', which indicates the approved period for your marriage in Denmark.
Section 2 - The Essential Documents Needed
This section will elaborate on the detailed requirements for these essential documents. Let's begin.
Valid Passport: For both you and your partner to marry in Denmark, having a valid passport is necessary. If you're from an EU/Schengen country (excluding Ireland), an EU ID card suffices.
Your passports must:
Contain a minimum of two blank Visa/stamp pages.
Be issued within the last ten years.
Be valid for at least three months beyond your stay in Denmark.
If your passport has less than four months until expiration, the validity of your Certificate of Marital Status (Prøvelsesattest) will be restricted accordingly.
Signed Declaration of Truth (Provided by SW): The Declaration of Truth is a legal document mandated for you and your partner to sign. It's a standard PDF form from the Danish Agency of Family Law (AFL).
SW supplies this form and assists you in completion and signing. Signing it confirms the accuracy of your marriage application information and the authenticity of your supporting documents.
Honesty is crucial here, as providing false information or using counterfeit documents can result in legal consequences, including fines or imprisonment.
Signed Power of Attorney (Provided by SW): This document authorizes SW to assist with your marriage application and act on your behalf with your consent.
SW requires this authorization to process your application, monitor its status, and liaise with the Danish Agency of Family Law on your behalf.
Section 3 - Is a Visa Required for Marriage in Denmark?
What Type of Visa Do You Need for Marriage in Denmark?
The need for a visa varies, and some visitors might not require a visa at all to get married in Denmark. However, you might need a valid visa for this purpose.
If a visa is required, there are different options to consider. We'll outline these visa types applicable for marriage in Denmark, including exemptions, addressing common questions about Danish visa requirements in this section.
Marry in Denmark on a Schengen C Visa:
Can you get married in Denmark using a C Visa, also known as a tourist visa valid within the Schengen Area? Yes, if the visa is valid on your wedding day, within your permitted stay duration, and doesn't explicitly exclude travel to Denmark.
Marry in Denmark on a Schengen D Visa:
Can you marry in Denmark using a D Visa issued by a Schengen State?
Similarly, yes, if the visa is valid on your wedding day, you comply with the 90/180 rule, and it doesn't specifically exclude travel to Denmark.
Marry in Denmark if You're Visa-exempt:
Not everyone visiting Denmark needs a visa; some are visa-exempt. Can visa-exempt individuals marry in Denmark? Yes, as long as they haven't exceeded their stay in the Schengen Area. For most visa-exempt visitors, the permitted stay is typically 90 days within a 180-day period, but this varies based on origin.
Understanding Entry and Exit Stamps for Marriage in Denmark: Entry and exit stamps in your passport are vital proofs of your adherence to Schengen Area stay limits. You'll need to display these stamps, along with your Schengen visa or residence permit (if applicable), to confirm your stay duration. Sometimes, previous passports or permits might also be required.
Dealing with an Overstay Mark in your passport:
Can you marry in Denmark if you've overstayed your permitted time, as marked in your passport or visa? This could pose complications. Overstaying might jeopardize your marriage application's approval, making the process more challenging or resulting in refusal.
If you've overstayed, demonstrating justification or resolution, such as paying a fine, is crucial. Careful handling of this situation increases your chances of proceeding with your wedding plans.
Section 4 - Additional Documents you might need to fulfill the Requirements
Some couples might require additional documents to fulfill the criteria for marriage in Denmark.
The requirements can vary, and we can provide assistance and guidance based on your unique circumstances.
Here's an overview of the supplementary documents often necessary for marriages in Denmark:
Residence Permit:
This document allows staying in a foreign country for an extended period beyond typical short-term visits. Whether it's a residence permit for Denmark or another EU/Schengen country, it could serve as part of the documentation for marriage in Denmark.
Divorce Decree, Divorce Certificate, or Death Certificate:
If either partner was previously married, legal confirmation of the termination of that marriage is essential. Providing a final divorce decree, divorce certificate, or death certificate proves the dissolution of the prior marriage, a crucial step for remarriage.
Registered Partnership Dissolution:
For those previously in a registered partnership, a dissolution decree or certificate is required to proceed with marriage in Denmark. If partners are currently in a registered partnership, its formal dissolution is obligatory before marrying in Denmark.
Understanding Legal Terminology:
Knowing the legal distinctions between divorce, annulment, and separation is crucial.
Divorce signifies the official and conclusive end of a marriage, while annulment declares a marriage invalid. Separation maintains the legal marriage bond but doesn’t permit remarriage.
Death Certificate and Certification Validation:
A death certificate validates the legal recognition of a person's passing. It's critical for remarriage if the person was legally married at the time of death. Sometimes, the death certificate might need accompanying documents, like a marriage certificate, for confirmation.
Military Permissions and SOFA Stamp:
Military personnel or civilians working in a military capacity may require specific permissions or documents from their commanding officers or SOFA stamps to confirm their legal stay within the Schengen Area.
Birth Certificate for Children:
If partners have children together, providing their birth certificates is mandatory for marriage in Denmark. Additionally, if the birth certificate doesn't list the father, alternative proofs of fatherhood, such as paternity recognition or DNA tests, might be accepted.
Single Status Certificate:
While not often requested, a Single Status Certificate might be required in conjunction with divorce papers to confirm the finalization of divorce.
Declaration on Spousal Reunification Awareness:
For cases where one partner is a permanent resident or legal citizen of Denmark and the other isn’t an EU citizen, signing a declaration acknowledging Denmark's rules on family reunification might be necessary.
Each document plays a crucial role in ensuring a smooth and legally compliant marriage process in Denmark.
Section 5 - Crucial Considerations Beyond Documents for Marriage in Denmark
You've gathered all the necessary documents required, but the process isn't quite complete yet! Here are a few additional aspects to consider ensuring a smooth marriage application in Denmark without any hiccups:
Translation of Documents:
Original language documents might need professional translation. While Danish, English, German, or Nordic languages documents are accepted as is, documents in other languages may need translation into these accepted languages.
Legalization of Documents:
Some documents, especially those issued by other countries, might require legalization for proper recognition in Denmark. Common documents needing legalization include death certificates and final divorce decrees, depending on their origin.
Apostille Legalizations:
For documents from Hague Convention countries, an Apostille Legalization might be necessary. It's a universal certificate acknowledging document validity across Hague Convention nations, eliminating additional legalization procedures.
Non-Hague Convention Country Documents:
Documents from non-Hague Convention countries undergo a different legalization process, which can vary. Professional assistance in navigating these procedures is beneficial.
Document Formatting:
All required documents must be submitted digitally, typically in PDF or image formats. The Danish Agency of Family Law doesn't accept physical paper documents.
Prøvelsesattest or Certificate of Marital Status:
This document, issued by the Danish Agency of Family Law upon approval of your wedding application, is essential. Valid for four months, it's sent directly to your chosen town hall for marriage. After expiration, a new application and fee are required for a fresh certificate.
Attention to these details ensures your application adheres to Denmark's marriage requirements, preventing delays or issues in the process.
Section 6 - Last but not least...Simplifying Your Denmark Marriage Journey
Embracing the Ease:
If you've delved into the document requirements and other necessary considerations for a Denmark marriage, feeling overwhelmed is natural. Yet, Denmark offers a remarkably relaxed process compared to many other countries. It's a top choice for multinational couples seeking hassle-free legal marriage.
At Scandinavian Wedding, our reviews and testimonials speak volumes about our assistance in making Denmark marriages a reality.
Attempting marriage in foreign lands when you're not citizens often involves costly legal routes, with lawyers charging high fees and unpredictable timelines. Denmark stands out due to accessible and cost-effective services like ours, streamlining the entire process.
We're not lavish law firms; we're a dedicated team with a rich history of over 5,500 successful marriage applications.
Our goal?
- Ensuring a stress-free, timely, and financially sound marriage journey in Denmark.
From impeccable customer service to expert guidance, our goal is a seamless Denmark marriage experience.
Got queries about documents or ready to start?
Reach out to Scandinavian Wedding today for a smooth beginning to your Denmark marriage journey.