Certificate of marital status for your Denmark wedding: how to get it, costs, validity (2026)

"Ledigkeitsbescheinigung" (certificate of marital status) is the word almost everyone googles in German, but hardly any authority uses it officially. What is meant is the proof that you are not currently married: in Germany the extended registration certificate showing marital status, in Austria the partial extract from the civil status register, in Switzerland the Personenstandsausweis. This is exactly the document Denmark requires for your wedding, and here you'll learn where to get it, what it costs and why timing is decisive.

What exactly is the certificate of marital status?

"Ledigkeitsbescheinigung" is the colloquial umbrella term for the official proof of marital status: a document confirming that you are single, legally divorced or widowed, i.e. free to marry because no existing marriage stands in the way. Depending on the country, the document has a different name: civil-status certificate, extended registration certificate showing marital status, partial extract from the civil status register or Personenstandsausweis.

For a wedding in Denmark this proof is one of the core documents: the Familieretshuset uses it to review marriageability itself, for both partners, regardless of nationality.

Certificate of marital status ≠ certificate of no impediment: the decisive difference

The two terms are constantly confused, yet they are two completely different documents. The certificate of marital status only documents your current status. The certificate of no impediment (German: Ehefähigkeitszeugnis) goes further: it certifies that no impediment to marriage exists under the law of the home country, and this is precisely the document the German registry office demands from foreign partners (Section 1309 German Civil Code). Many states don't issue it at all; in Germany the only way out is then an exemption application at the Higher Regional Court, which often takes 6–12 months.

Where to apply: Germany, Austria and Switzerland compared

Each of the three countries has its own document and its own competent authority. The good news: everywhere the process is straightforward and cheap, in many cities even possible online.

Germany: The word "extended" matters. The simple registration certificate does not include marital status and is not accepted by Familieretshuset. Tell the Bürgeramt explicitly that the marital status must be shown. Many cities offer online applications with delivery within a few days.

Austria: The partial extract from the Central Civil Status Register (ZPR) contains marital status and nationality and serves as the classic Ledigkeitsbescheinigung. You can request it at any registry office in Austria, regardless of where you live.

Switzerland: The Personenstandsausweis is issued by the civil registry office and proves civil status and current name. The fee is regulated uniformly across Switzerland (CHF 30); in most cantons you can order online.

Only valid for 4 months: how to time the application right

The certificate of marital status may be at most 4 months old when you file with Familieretshuset. That sounds generous but becomes a trap if you obtain the certificate first and then wait weeks for apostilles, translations or documents from abroad.

Practical rule of thumb: obtain the certificate only once all other documents are complete. Since it is usually issued within days in DE/AT/CH, you lose no time and gain maximum validity reserve for processing (Familieretshuset: typically 3–6 weeks).

Divorced or widowed: these documents are added

In this case the certificate shows "divorced" or "widowed", which alone is not enough for Familieretshuset. Additionally required:

• Divorced: the divorce decree with legal-force note. Without this note the decree is unusable for the Danish authorities. For a divorce outside the EU: additionally an apostille and, if needed, a certified translation. For several previous marriages: all decrees.
• Widowed: the death certificate of the former partner plus the marriage certificate of the previous marriage.

Apostille and translation: when needed?

For the certificate itself: German and Austrian certificates generally need neither apostille nor translation for Denmark, German-language documents are accepted, and within the EU Regulation 2016/1191 additionally helps with multilingual forms. The Swiss Personenstandsausweis is a non-EU document and generally needs an apostille (available from the state chancellery of the issuing canton). Proofs from third countries almost always need an apostille plus certified translation into German or English.

If your documents need an apostille, you can organise it yourself or book our apostille service (€199.99) as an add-on to the Complete package (€649.99, the €281 AFL government fee already included).

How to proceed: the short checklist

1. Clarify your case

   Single, divorced or widowed? Binational? This determines your exact document list.

   Today

2. Slow documents first

   Third-country certificates, divorce decree with legal-force note, apostilles, translations.

   Week 1–4

3. Certificate of marital status last

   At the residents', registry or civil registry office, freshly issued so the 4 months are easily enough.

   Week 4–5

4. Application to Familieretshuset

   Upload scans, pay the fee, wait for the response, book your date.

   Week 5–8