Getting Married
in Denmark
Denmark is one of the most welcoming countries in the world for international couples who want to marry simply, legally, and beautifully. This guide covers the process, the paperwork, and what a day in Southern Denmark actually looks like.
Why couples come to Denmark to get married
For decades, Denmark has been a destination for couples who want to marry without the bureaucratic complexity common in many other European countries. The process is transparent, the certificate is internationally recognized, and the atmosphere is calm rather than administrative.
Southern Denmark, in particular, draws many couples from Germany and further afield. Aabenraa, Tønder, Sønderborg, and Gråsten are all within easy reach of the German border, and all offer town hall ceremonies in a relaxed, unhurried setting. I am based in Aabenraa and photograph weddings across this entire region.
In this guide
Six reasons couples choose to get married here
No residency required
You do not need to live in Denmark or hold Danish citizenship. International couples can apply and marry as tourists, as long as they can legally enter Denmark.
Fast approval — typically 5 working days
When an application is complete and correct, Familieretshuset (the Danish Agency of Family Law) typically responds within 5 working days. The whole process can move quickly if documents are in order.
Fully recognized across the EU
A Danish civil marriage is 100% legally valid throughout the European Union. For German couples, it is registered afterward at the local Standesamt with no requirement for translation, since the certificate is already issued in German.
Certificate in five languages
The Danish marriage certificate is issued with translations in Danish, English, German, Spanish, and French on the same document. Most couples do not need a separate translation.
Town hall ceremonies feel personal
Danish civil ceremonies are not cold or administrative. They are calm, warm, and often genuinely moving. Many couples are surprised by how meaningful the experience feels.
Southern Denmark is close
Aabenraa, Tønder, and Sønderborg are all within easy driving distance of northern Germany. Many couples arrive, marry, and return the same day. Others stay a night or two and make it a small trip.
How to get married in Denmark, step by step
The process is handled by Familieretshuset, the Danish Agency of Family Law. All applications are submitted online, in advance. By the time you arrive in Denmark, the paperwork is already behind you.
Check town hall availability first
Before you submit your application, check which town halls have available dates in your timeframe. This matters because your application is tied to a specific municipality, and changing it afterward is slow and bureaucratically cumbersome. Familieretshuset themselves recommend doing this first. Tønder, in particular, is often booked two to three months in advance.
Do this before you apply — not afterGather your documents
Collect everything before you start the application. You will need your passport or EU ID card, documentation of your right to enter Denmark, and a civil status document from your country of residence confirming you are not currently married. Divorce certificates are required if either partner has been married before. See the documents section below for a full breakdown.
Getting documents right first time is criticalApply to Familieretshuset and pay the fee
Both partners apply together online at familieretshuset.dk. The application requires MitID login. If you do not have MitID, you can apply using SMS verification, or submit a printed application form by post. A wedding agency can also apply on your behalf with a signed power of attorney. The application fee is DKK 2,100 per couple, paid when submitting. This fee is non-refundable.
Receive your Certificate of Marital Status
If your application is complete and correct, Familieretshuset will issue your Certificate of Marital Status within 5 working days. This certificate confirms that you meet the conditions for marriage under Danish law. If anything is missing or unclear, they will request further information, which can extend the process by weeks or months. The certificate is valid for 4 months from the date of issue.
5 working days if everything is correctBook your ceremony date at the town hall
Once you have your Certificate of Marital Status, you contact the town hall of the municipality named in your certificate to book your ceremony date. You cannot book before you receive the certificate. Each town hall has its own booking system — some email you directly, others require you to contact them. Confirm in advance whether they need your original documents on the day or the day before.
Attend your ceremony and receive your marriage certificate
You arrive at the town hall with your two witnesses and valid ID. The registrar conducts the ceremony. You exchange your vows, sign the register, and your marriage is legally complete. Your marriage certificate is issued in five languages and is ready the same day.
The Certificate of Marital Status is valid for exactly 4 months from the date of issue. If you do not marry within that period, it expires and you must reapply and pay the DKK 2,100 fee again. Plan your dates carefully before you apply.
Documents required to get married in Denmark
Requirements vary slightly depending on your nationality and circumstances. The list below covers the standard requirements for EU citizens living outside Denmark. Always verify the exact requirements for your situation on the Familieretshuset website before you apply.
You do not need an Ehefähigkeitszeugnis to get married in Denmark. This is one of the key reasons so many German couples choose Denmark. The required documentation is significantly simpler and faster to obtain than what is typically needed for a civil wedding in Germany.
Familieretshuset has very specific requirements for how documents should be formatted and submitted. An incorrectly prepared application will result in delays of at least two months. If you are not confident about the requirements, working with an experienced Danish wedding agency is worth considering.
What you receive — and what happens back home
One of the most practical advantages of getting married in Denmark is what you walk away with — and how little extra work it requires afterward.
Your Danish marriage certificate is issued on the day of the ceremony. It is an internationally recognized legal document, issued by the Danish civil authority, that confirms your marriage under Danish law.
Certificate languages
The certificate is issued with the same content printed in five languages on a single document. No separate translation is required for most purposes.
Registering in Germany after your wedding
If you are resident in Germany, you will need to register your Danish marriage at your local Standesamt. This process is called a Nachbeurkundung. You bring your Danish marriage certificate along with your passports, and the Standesamt enters the marriage into the German civil register. Because your Danish certificate already includes a German translation, most Standesamt offices will not require a separate certified translation. The fee is typically around €10.
The Nachbeurkundung is a simple appointment. Bring your Danish certificate, your passports, and any supporting documents the Standesamt requests. Search “Nachbeurkundung einer Eheschließung im Ausland” plus your city name to find the exact requirements for your local office.
Where to get married in Southern Denmark
Southern Jutland offers a cluster of accessible towns for international couples. Each has its own character. All are well within reach for couples arriving from Germany or by ferry. I photograph weddings in all of these locations.
Check availability at your preferred town hall before submitting your Familieretshuset application. Tønder is typically booked two to three months ahead. Other municipalities generally have more space. Familieretshuset officially recommends checking this first, as changing your chosen municipality after the certificate has been issued is a slow and complicated process.
A compact harbour town with an easy-to-navigate centre. The town hall sits in the heart of the old town, and the surrounding cobbled streets, fjord, and nearby forest all work well for portraits. Aabenraa handles international couple registrations regularly and efficiently. Good availability compared to Tønder.
The southernmost town in Denmark, just a few kilometres from the German border. Tønder has a storybook atmosphere with half-timbered houses and a wide market square. It is the most popular choice for couples driving from Germany, and as a result it is often fully booked two to three months in advance. Check availability early.
Sønderborg sits on the water, with a castle, a harbour, and a scenic bridge over the Als Sund. It is a slightly larger town than Aabenraa, with more variety in cafés and post-ceremony spots. The waterfront and castle surroundings make for distinctive portrait locations.
A quieter choice with a grand feel. Gråsten is home to the Danish royal summer residence and its gardens are open to the public. Ideal if you want something more secluded and green. The pace here is slower, which suits couples who want a calm, unhurried afternoon.
What a typical town hall wedding day looks like
Every couple’s day is different, but this gives a sense of how a town hall wedding in Southern Denmark typically unfolds. There is plenty of room to shape it around what matters to you.
You arrive in town, get dressed, and take a moment together before the ceremony. Some couples take a short walk first to settle into the day.
The civil ceremony typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes. The registrar conducts the ceremony in Danish. In Southern Denmark, registrars are accustomed to international couples and will walk you through what is happening in English. You exchange your vows, sign the register, and you are married. Your certificate is ready the same day.
Most couples spend an hour or two walking together, exploring the town, and having some portraits made. The old town, the harbour, the fjord, and the surrounding countryside are all close. These are often the most relaxed and natural photos of the day.
Some couples have a quiet lunch together. Others want more time outdoors. If your package includes a second location, this is typically when you travel there for a different setting and light.
Late afternoon light in Southern Denmark is often soft and warm. Some couples stay for golden hour before heading home. Others need to travel and prefer to wrap up earlier. Both are completely fine — most couples here have departure times to work around, and that is normal.
Having your wedding photographed in Southern Denmark
Town hall weddings are intimate and move at their own pace. A photographer who works in this region regularly understands how to make the most of a focused day.
Most couples coming to Southern Denmark have a fixed schedule. There is travel to consider, a ceremony with no margin for running late, and a departure time that is often non-negotiable. Working with a photographer who knows the towns, the light, and the pace of a town hall day means you get calm, considered images without the day feeling rushed.
Wedding photography for couples getting married in Southern Denmark
I photograph town hall weddings and elopements across Aabenraa, Tønder, Sønderborg, and Gråsten. My approach is calm and documentary. You do not need to know how to pose. I work around your day, not the other way around. Photos are delivered within 4 weeks.
Questions about getting married in Denmark
Your wedding day in Southern Denmark can be simpler than you think
If you are planning a town hall wedding in Aabenraa, Tønder, Sønderborg, or Gråsten and would like a photographer who knows the region and works quietly alongside you, I would love to hear from you.