In a Danish application there are always the same dead ends. Here are the nine most common mistakes, what they cost, and the simple correction if you've already made them.
Mistake 1: Apostille on an outdated certificate
The problemGet a 2018 birth certificate, have it apostilled, submit, Familieretshuset rejects because the certificate is older than 6 months. The apostille expires with the certificate.
CorrectionRequest a fresh certificate, then apostille. Extra cost: € 30–80, time loss: 4–6 weeks.
CorrectionRequest a fresh certificate, then apostille. Extra cost: € 30–80, time loss: 4–6 weeks.
Mistake 2: Translation before apostille
The problemTranslate first, then apostille, the apostille refers to the original, not to the translation. The translator must extend everything.
CorrectionOrder: original → apostille → translation of the apostilled certificate. Time loss with the wrong order: 1–2 weeks, € 40–80 to pay extra.
CorrectionOrder: original → apostille → translation of the apostilled certificate. Time loss with the wrong order: 1–2 weeks, € 40–80 to pay extra.
Mistake 3: Tourist visa as a fake reason
The problemThird-country partner enters on a tourist visa, says "holiday", wants to marry. At the border: forced return home.
CorrectionState honestly: "Purpose of travel: wedding in Denmark". With the Danish date confirmation the Schengen visa is granted without problems.
CorrectionState honestly: "Purpose of travel: wedding in Denmark". With the Danish date confirmation the Schengen visa is granted without problems.
Mistake 4: Booking the date before application confirmation
The problemRegistry-office date booked, hotel reserved, Familieretshuset rejects the application. Hotel cancellation costs € 100–300.
CorrectionFirst await the Familieretshuset's response, then book the date and hotel. For urgent cases: choose cancellable hotels.
CorrectionFirst await the Familieretshuset's response, then book the date and hotel. For urgent cases: choose cancellable hotels.
Mistake 5: Wrong birth-certificate version
The problemSubmit a standard German birth certificate, Familieretshuset rejects, requires multilingual international version.
CorrectionAt the registry office, explicitly request the "multilingual international birth certificate under EU Reg. 2016/1191". Costs € 12–25 instead of € 10.
CorrectionAt the registry office, explicitly request the "multilingual international birth certificate under EU Reg. 2016/1191". Costs € 12–25 instead of € 10.
Mistake 6: Divorce decree without legal-force note
The problemSubmit divorce decree, legal-force note missing, Familieretshuset rejects, considers the partner married.
CorrectionRequest the decree with legal-force note anew at the family court of the place of divorce. Costs € 18–35, takes 1–3 weeks.
CorrectionRequest the decree with legal-force note anew at the family court of the place of divorce. Costs € 18–35, takes 1–3 weeks.
Mistake 7: No A1 German for family reunification
The problemWedding done, visa applied for family reunification, the embassy requires an A1 German certificate. Partner has none. Delay 3–6 months.
CorrectionRun an A1 course in parallel during document procurement. Goethe / telc / ÖSD accepted. Cost: € 200–400.
CorrectionRun an A1 course in parallel during document procurement. Goethe / telc / ÖSD accepted. Cost: € 200–400.
Mistake 8: Missing multilingual marriage certificate
The problemOnly Danish marriage certificate taken, at the German registry office: order a translation again. Extra cost: € 40–80.
CorrectionRight at the wedding appointment, ask for the multilingual version (multilingual extract). Usually free, immediately available.
CorrectionRight at the wedding appointment, ask for the multilingual version (multilingual extract). Usually free, immediately available.
Mistake 9: Tax class change forgotten
The problemMarried in Denmark, forgot to change the income-tax class, overpaid 6 months of taxes (€ 200–500).
CorrectionRight after the German marriage-register entry: apply for class III/V or IV/IV at the tax office. Retroactive refund possible.
CorrectionRight after the German marriage-register entry: apply for class III/V or IV/IV at the tax office. Retroactive refund possible.
If you want to do everything right
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