Get married in Copenhagen
Copenhagen is Denmark's best-known address for international couples: in 2024 the city held 7,947 ceremonies, more than half of them for couples from abroad (DR, TV 2). Nyhavn, palaces, and a registry office that walks you clearly through your big day.
At a glance
€281
AFL fee
up to 4 months
Wait for a ceremony slot
~2h flight
Travel from Munich
Big city
Atmosphere
Copenhagen: an honest assessment.
Pros
- Iconic photo spots: Nyhavn, Christiansborg Palace, Rosenborg
- Largest selection of hotels, restaurants and entertainment
- Direct flights from many DACH cities
- International vibe, perfect for mixed guest lists
- City-hall ceremony in the very heart of the city, Saturdays too
- The city always provides two witnesses; ceremony also in German
Cons
- Highest accommodation prices (€150–400/night for a double room)
- Nyhavn is very touristy in summer
- Wait of up to 4 months; in 2026, 40% of slots are reserved for couples from Copenhagen
- Hectic city rhythm, not for quiet ceremonies
How your Copenhagen wedding unfolds.
- 1
Eligibility check (60 seconds)
We check your situation and tell you exactly which documents you need, free and with no obligation.
- 2
Gather documents (2–4 weeks)
You send us photos of your papers. We review every scan before submission.
- 3
Submit AFL application
We file with Familieretshuset and communicate with the agency on your behalf. It usually decides complete applications within 5 working days.
- 4
Wedding day in Copenhagen
The approval comes with a link to the city's booking system. According to the city, expect to wait up to 4 months for a date. You arrive, you say yes, we make sure everything is in order.
- 5
Marriage certificate: done
Right after the ceremony you receive two multilingual certificates. In Germany and Austria they are valid without an apostille (EU Regulation 2016/1191); in Switzerland once reported via the Swiss representation.
The ceremony itself: the official rules.
For couples without Danish residence, as the City of Copenhagen describes it on its website.
On the day
Ceremony days and times
City Hall holds ceremonies six days a week:
Mon–Fri, 9:10–15:50
Sat, 10:00–12:40
Be there 10–15 minutes before your slot. The ceremony itself takes about 10 minutes.
Witnesses
The city always provides two official witnesses. You may bring your own but do not have to; just tell the registrar before the signing. Witnesses do not need ID.
Language
Danish, English or German: you choose the language when booking. You must both understand what is said; for any other language you bring your own interpreter.
Venue and access
Copenhagen City Hall (Københavns Rådhus), Rådhuspladsen 1, 1550 Copenhagen V. Ceremonies take place in the Wedding Hall on the 1st floor; from the main entrance, follow the hearts on the floor through the Great Hall to the waiting area.
There is no lift to the Wedding Hall. If you cannot manage the stairs, you can marry in the Great Hall on the ground floor instead; arrange this with the Wedding Office at least one week before. Wheelchair users can enter at ground level through a side door.
Guests and photos
Up to 75 guests, children and photographer included. Guests may take photos and film, and a video call for those at home is allowed too. Exchanging rings is optional.
Before and after
Booking the date
Only after approval by Familieretshuset: you then get a link to the city's booking system and pick the day and time yourselves. The rule “register at most four months ahead, reply via Digital Post” only applies to couples living in Denmark.
With the Complete package we book the date for you as soon as the approval arrives.
Show your originals at City Hall beforehand
If one of you has no Danish or Nordic personal ID number (CPR), that person must show their original documents in person at City Hall, at the earliest five and at the latest one working day before the ceremony, not on the wedding day itself. For a ceremony on a Monday or Saturday, that means the Friday before at the latest. The person concerned must do this themselves; a partner or relative cannot do it for them.
So plan to arrive at least one working day before the ceremony. The city's booking confirmation has the details.
Lead time (as of October 2026)
Because of high demand, the city says the wait for a date can be up to four months. In 2026, 40% of slots are reserved for couples where at least one partner lives in Copenhagen (decision of 20 Feb 2026). The approval is valid for four months, and the date has to fit into that window.
Closing days
The Wedding Office is closed on 24, 25, 26 and 31 Dec 2026, and in 2027 on 1 Jan, 25, 26 and 29 Mar, 1, 6 and 17 May, 5 Jun and 24, 25 and 31 Dec.
After you say “I do”
Right after the ceremony you receive two multilingual marriage certificates (Danish, English, German, French, Spanish). Extra copies are available from the Wedding Office.
Change of name: under Danish name law this is not possible at the wedding if you are not registered in Denmark. You apply for it afterwards where you are registered.
As of October 2026 · Sources: City of Copenhagen: City Hall Wedding · City of Copenhagen: booking page (rule for couples without a CPR number) · Decision of 20 Feb 2026 · Familieretshuset: processing times
What it looks like there.
Real costs: getting married in Copenhagen.
All items that typically come up. In the Complete package only the ✓ incl. marked AFL government fee is included. Apostille is not in the package. If your Danish marriage certificate needs an apostille, add our Apostille Service (€199.99): the Danish foreign ministry's apostille, courier and UPS shipping to you.
Danish Wedding Service (Complete)
Everything coordinated, reviewed, submitted
€649.99
AFL government fee (Familieretshuset)✓ incl.
Mandatory, included in Complete, we transfer 1:1
€281
Certified translations of your documents (case-dependent)
Only if required · your cost
€80–300
Apostilles on your documents (only certain countries)
Only if required · obtained in the issuing country, your cost
€50–150
Town-hall ceremony fee
No fee since August 2025 (the city's own legal review) · elsewhere only actual extra costs
€0
Hotel (2 nights, double room)
Depending on category · your cost
€200–500
Travel (flight from DACH)
Your cost · early bookers save
€80–300 p.p.
Typical total with Complete:
€1,300–2,400
All items together, depending on your situation
Questions about the ceremony in Copenhagen.
How long is the wait for a date in Copenhagen?
On which days are ceremonies held at City Hall?
Do we need our own witnesses?
Can the ceremony be held in German?
How many guests can come?
Does the City Hall ceremony cost anything?
Compare other locations.
More municipalities on request.
Tønder registry office
About 5 km past the German border, ceremonies on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in German or English. Ideal for couples driving in who want a simple wedding day.
Getting married in Tønder
Island wedding on Ærø
Arrival by ferry, ceremony in the island's historic main town, beach photos at sunset. A three-day short break and wedding in one.
Getting married on Ærø