Getting married in Denmark: the ultimate step-by-step checklist

Wedding in Denmark in 12 weeks, fully planned, no stress. This checklist follows the Danish Familieretshuset's specifications exactly and contains not a single unnecessary step.

Phase 1: Preparation (week 1–2)

Eligibility check (60 seconds)
Which documents does your specific case need? Which ones not?
Day 1
Decide on location
Tønder, Copenhagen or Ærø? Factors: travel, photo wishes, budget.
Day 1–3
Set date window
Pick a four-week window, gives flexibility with authorities.
Day 3–7
Build document list
Basic + by marital status + by origin.
Week 1

Phase 2: Document procurement (week 3–8)

Order fresh original certificates
Birth certificate, civil-status proof, divorce decree if applicable.
Week 3
Request apostille
If needed for third-country documents.
Week 3–5
Certified translations
If original is not in German or English.
Week 5–7
Scan in high resolution
Colour, readable, PDF, Familieretshuset reviews scans.
Week 7

Phase 3: Application (week 8–9)

Online application familieretshuset.dk
In Danish, we help, or use browser translation.
Week 8
Upload scans
All documents in one step.
Week 8
Pay AFL fee
€ 281 by card or bank transfer.
Week 8
Wait for response
10–14 business days. On follow-up: respond quickly.
Week 8–9

Phase 4: Travel and ceremony (week 10–12)

Book registry-office date
Right after Familieretshuset confirmation.
Week 10
Book hotel and ferry
For Ærø: reserve car ferry weeks in advance.
Week 10
Clarify witness situation
Bring along or book on site (€ 50–80).
Week 10–11
Travel and ceremony
Don't forget the originals!
Week 11–12
Take the marriage certificate
Request the multilingual version directly at the registry office.
Wedding day

Phase 5: Follow-up in DE/AT/CH

Register at the German registry office in the marriage register (optional, € 60–100)
Tax office: income-tax class III/V or IV/IV
Inform health insurance, pension insurance, employer
For a third-country partner: apply for family-reunification visa
Apply for name change (if desired)

Last-minute variant: wedding in 4 weeks

Possible but riskyA wedding in 4 weeks is possible if you are an EU couple without special cases and have all documents at hand. For third-country partners or divorcees: realistically 8–12 weeks.

Day 1–3
Eligibility check, location, document list, date inquiry Tønder/Aabenraa.
Day 4–10
Request fresh certificates (express processing possible).
Day 11–14
File online application, request express processing.
Day 21–28
Receive confirmation, book hotel, travel.

Emergency modeIf you really have to marry in 2 weeks (e.g. visa deadline): call us directly. In urgent cases we draft an express plan with rushed orders.

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Frequently asked questions

What couples ask most often about this topic.

When should I start preparing?

Realistically 10–12 weeks before the desired wedding day. For DACH couples without third-country aspects also 6–8 weeks. Note last-minute: AFL processing takes a fixed 3–6 weeks, there's barely any acceleration. Anyone planning a summer 2026 wedding should start by March 2026 at the latest.

In what order do I take the steps?

1) Eligibility check (1 day), 2) order fresh civil-status certificates (week 1–2), 3) request apostille if needed (week 2–4), 4) certified translation (week 4–5), 5) AFL online application with all scans (week 5–6), 6) approval (week 9–11), 7) book wedding date (week 11–12), 8) ceremony. Order matters: apostille AFTER new certificate, translation AFTER apostille.

Which documents should I obtain first?

Birth certificate (international form / multilingual EU certificate if available), current registration certificate (max. 4 months old), civil-status certificate (max. 4 months old). For divorcees: divorce decree with legal-force note. Passport + ID card are permanently valid anyway.

When do I book the wedding date with the municipality?

Only AFTER the AFL approval (confirmation by email). Dates booked earlier are risky: if AFL files a follow-up, you have to cancel. In Tønder the date can usually take place 1–3 weeks after approval, in Copenhagen 2–6 weeks, on Ærø 4–8 weeks in high season.

What must I bring on the wedding day?

Both passports (or ID cards for EU citizens), AFL approval letter (Prøvelsesattest), witnesses with ID, wedding rings (optional, not required). Arrive 30 min before the appointment. The marriage certificate is handed to you directly after the ceremony, optionally additionally by post with apostille (€20–40 surcharge).

Phase 1: Preparation (week 1–2)

Eligibility check (60 seconds)

Which documents does your specific case need? Which ones not?

Day 1

Decide on location

Tønder, Copenhagen or Ærø? Factors: travel, photo wishes, budget.

Day 1–3

Set date window

Pick a four-week window, gives flexibility with authorities.

Day 3–7

Build document list

Basic + by marital status + by origin.

Week 1

Phase 2: Document procurement (week 3–8)

Order fresh original certificates

Birth certificate, civil-status proof, divorce decree if applicable.

Week 3

Request apostille

If needed for third-country documents.

Week 3–5

Certified translations

If original is not in German or English.

Week 5–7

Scan in high resolution

Colour, readable, PDF, Familieretshuset reviews scans.

Week 7

Phase 4: Travel and ceremony (week 10–12)

Book registry-office date

Right after Familieretshuset confirmation.

Week 10

Book hotel and ferry

For Ærø: reserve car ferry weeks in advance.

Week 10

Clarify witness situation

Bring along or book on site (€ 50–80).

Week 10–11

Travel and ceremony

Don't forget the originals!

Week 11–12

Take the marriage certificate

Request the multilingual version directly at the registry office.

Wedding day

Last-minute variant: wedding in 4 weeks

Day 1–3

Eligibility check, location, document list, date inquiry Tønder/Aabenraa.

Day 4–10

Request fresh certificates (express processing possible).

Day 11–14

File online application, request express processing.

Day 21–28

Receive confirmation, book hotel, travel.

Emergency modeIf you really have to marry in 2 weeks (e.g. visa deadline): call us directly. In urgent cases we draft an express plan with rushed orders.