Right after your wedding ceremony in Denmark, you receive two international marriage certificates, each in five languages: Danish, German, English, French and Spanish. German is included by default, so for authorities in Germany and Austria you usually do not need a certified translation. And thanks to EU Regulation 2016/1191, an apostille is usually not required there either. Here is what to use each copy for, when you do need an apostille, and how to get a replacement if a certificate goes missing.
Two certificates in five languages, on your wedding day
The Danish marriage certificate is one of the underrated advantages of getting married in Denmark. You do not leave the town hall with a purely Danish document that you first have to get translated, but with an international, multilingual marriage certificate: all details appear in parallel in Danish, German, English, French and Spanish on the same document. And you are handed two original copies straight away, usually right after the ceremony, free of charge.
For couples from Germany and Austria this means: the registry office back home can read the certificate directly. A certified translation is usually not required, which, depending on the translation agency, saves you translation costs and several days of waiting.
What to use each copy for
Two originals may sound redundant at first, but the split makes perfect sense:
- Copy 1: keep it. Store it at home with your important documents. It is your permanent proof of marriage, for insurers, banks, inheritance matters or simply your family archive.
- Copy 2: for the authorities. Use it for the formalities in your home country: the voluntary registration in the German marriage register, the notification to the Austrian ZPR or the notification via the Swiss representation.
- Make scans. Photograph or scan both copies right after the wedding. Many offices, employers, health insurers, the tax office, initially accept a copy.
- Never hand over an original for good. If an authority wants to keep the original, ask whether a certified copy is sufficient or when you will get it back.
Apostille: no for Germany and Austria, often for Switzerland, usually yes for third countries
An apostille confirms the authenticity of a document for use abroad. Whether your Danish marriage certificate needs one depends solely on where you want to present it:
| Where will you present the certificate? | Apostille required? | Translation required? |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | No, EU Regulation 2016/1191 exempts Danish documents from apostille and legalisation | Usually no, German is already included |
| Austria | No, same EU regulation | Usually no |
| Switzerland | Often required, the EU regulation does not apply here; plan for the apostille | Usually no, German and French are included |
| Third countries within the Hague Apostille Convention | Usually yes | Depends on the country, often into the official language |
| Third countries outside the convention | Instead of an apostille: legalisation via the respective embassy | Depends on the country |
How to get the Danish apostille
If you do need one, for Switzerland or a third country, for example: apostilles on Danish documents are issued exclusively by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Legalisation Office in Copenhagen). The fee is 250 DKK per document (as of July 2026). By post it takes 5–7 working days; if you go in person, you receive the apostille immediately, up to 7 documents per visit. We explain the process step by step in our apostille guide for Denmark.
Important: the certificate shows your passport names
The Danish marriage certificate always shows your names exactly as they appear in your passports. A name change directly in Denmark is not possible for couples without Danish residence. If you want a shared married name or a double name, you arrange it after the wedding in your home country, you can read how in our guide on changing your name after a wedding in Denmark.
Lost your certificate? How to get a replacement
No reason to panic: your marriage is registered with the Danish municipality that married you. You can order a new copy of the marriage certificate there, . Usually an email with your names, the wedding date and copies of your IDs is enough. The procedure and any fees vary by municipality; it is best to ask them directly. If you got married through us, you can also simply contact us, we will put you in touch with the right office.
This is exactly why the split above pays off: as long as one copy sits safely at home, losing the working copy is only a minor detour. And even if both certificates disappear, your marriage of course remains valid, the paper is the proof, not the marriage itself.
Where you will need the certificate later
The marriage certificate stays with you longer than many expect: for the name declaration and the voluntary registration in Germany, for the ZPR notification in Austria, for the notification via the Swiss representation, at the tax office for changing your tax class, with your health insurer and employer, and later for parental-benefit or inheritance matters. Keep one copy with your important documents and use copies or scans in everyday life. Only hand over the original when an authority explicitly requires it, and that is exactly what makes the second copy so valuable.
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