Documents & Legal Requirements to Get Married in Denmark
- Updated: July 24, 2026
After deciding that Denmark is the perfect place for your marriage, gathering and organising your documents is the first practical, and crucial, step you will need to take.
Getting the paperwork right is one of the most important parts of planning your wedding in Denmark and getting it wrong can cause long delays.
This guide is part of our Getting Married in Denmark series and explains exactly what documents you and your partner will, and won’t, need for your Danish marriage application.
Whether you’re an EU / non-EU couple, same-sex couple, or visiting Denmark on a tourist visa, you’ll find everything you need to prepare right here – all explained clearly and simply.
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Where You Are in the Journey
Required Documents for Marriage in Denmark
Before you are able to book your ceremony in Denmark, the Familieretshuset (Danish Agency of Family Law or AFL for short) must approve your marriage application.
In short, here’s what you’ll need to prepare:
- EU ID card or passport
- Schengen Visa, where applicable
- Residence Card, if you reside inside the EU
- Proof you live together, if that is applicable
- Proof any previous marriages have been legally ended
- Birth certificate of any children you have together
- Read the full required documents guide
The Danish International Marriage Certificate
After your wedding, you’ll receive 2 Danish International Marriage Certificates.
In detail you will discover:
- What the certificate looks like
- What languages the certificates will come in
- When you might need it translated or legalised
- Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Danish International Marriage Certificate
- See what the Danish marriage certificate looks like
Hague Apostille Legalisation
Some countries require an Apostille stamp to validate foreign marriage certificates and so this may be applicable to your Danish International Marriage Certificate:
Learn exactly:
- What is the Apostille stamp?
- Which countries are part of the Apostille Hague Convention?
- When you need an Apostille
- How to get the Apostille stamp
- Read the Apostille legalisation guide
Case-Specific Documents
Depending on your specific situation, the AFL may ask for additional documentation.
Extra Documents You Might Need:
Translations and / or Certified Copies
Proof of Address or Residency
Divorce or Previous Marriage Papers
These requirements vary from case to case. We’ll help you understand exactly what applies when you request your free documentation list.
Next Step: Submitting Your Application
Once your documents are ready, it’s time to submit your marriage application to the Agency of Family Law (AFL).
Getting this part right first time is also a crucial step
- How the AFL Reviews and Approves Your Application
After Your Marriage: Legalising & Registering Abroad
Once you’ve celebrated your wedding, you may want to register your marriage in your home country. There may be things you haven’t yet considered which may be required for you to do this.
Our post-wedding guides highlights the following:
- Will you need an Apostille stamp?
- Will you need an Embassy attestation?
- Will you need your certificate to be translated?
Understanding your local registration requirements
- Learn how to register your Danish marriage abroad
Frequently Asked Questions
Is getting married with a tourist visa possible?
Yes, getting married in Denmark with a tourist visa is absolutely possible.
You don’t need to be residing in Denmark to get married here. We know this is a requirement for many countries, but it’s not a requirement in Denmark.
You can get married in Denmark even though you’re not a Danish citizen or a resident.
It’s no problem if you have a visa, permit, or use your visa free days. As long as you legally enter the country, you can get married in Denmark.
You can read more about the visa types you can use to get married in Denmark on our website here.
How do I change my last name after marriage?
If you wish to change your surname after your marriage in Denmark, you will need to do this in the country in which you legally reside.
It is not possible to change your surname either at your wedding ceremony or afterwards in Denmark if you are not legally residing here.
So, you would need to contact the relevant authorities in the country in which you are a legal resident, register your marriage there and while in the process of doing this, ask how to also start the process of changing your surname.
Can I change my name on the wedding certificate to my married name?
There is no one ‘official’ rule on this, unfortunately, and it does actually depend on which town hall you get married at.
Some town halls will allow you to do this and some strictly will not.
If this is something you need, please contact us directly and we will be able to advise you as to whether or not this is possible, depending on the town hall you are married at.
Not sure where to begin?
Get your free required documentation list.
We’ll tell you exactly which documents you and your partner need — no stress, no guesswork.
Rasmus Clarck Sørensen
Reviewed by Anke, Documents Team Leader