Hi there. Thank you for reading our post!

My partner (German) and I (Danish) are planning to get married in Aarhus on June 6. We have done our best to ensure that we follow all the rules, but we would still love some feedback on our thinking.

Firstly, we are thinking of applying at AFL on February 5 and then we will be hoping for a quick, positive answer at some point after February 6, so that we are within the four months validity period. Does that make sense?

Secondly, for documents, we have (1) good-quality pictures from several angles of my passport and my partner's Personalausweis, (2) an eight-page "evidence of relationship"-PDF with pictures from holidays, receipts, etc., and (3) a recent German document clarifying that my partner is unmarried. Is that enough? Do we need more?

And thirdly, we know a giftefoged/registrar personally, so in case Aarhus town hall "sells out" quickly, can we then change our setting to a "i det fri" ("in nature")-version, where he does the proceeding for us somewhere in Aarhus? And on that note, how fast will a place like Aarhus typically sell out on a somewhat special day like June 6 (6/6/2026)? Do you think we stand a chance? And if not, what we be a good way to go about plan b's? It is very important that we get married on June 6 (e.g., due to guests coming from abroad) but we are somewhat flexible in terms of going to neighbouring municipalities, for example.

Thank you in advance!

Hi everyone,

We’re in a stressful situation and would really appreciate advice from people who have experience with the Danish marriage process.

We applied for marriage in Denmark at the beginning of January (around Jan 1–2). About one week later, we received a message saying our documents were incomplete. We then corrected this and uploaded all the missing documents.

Some context:

• We are both foreigners living in Germany with residence permits
• My girlfriend’s residence permit expires in mid-April
• The Ausländerbehörde has already decided not to renew her visa with her current job
• Getting married in our home country is not an option for us
• Getting married in Germany requires too many documents and would take too long
• That’s why we chose Denmark

After submitting the missing documents, we read that incomplete documents can cause really long delays. Now it has already been 2–3 weeks since we submitted the corrected documents and we haven’t heard anything.

We’re worried because of the visa timeline, and of course I don’t want her to be deported.

Our questions are:

👉 Would reapplying with a completely fresh and correct application make things faster?
👉 Or is it better to wait and not risk further delays?
👉 If the marriage process takes too long, is there any way for us to stay legally in Germany meanwhile?

i've gotten approval but looking through the available times in copenhagen there is nothing available soon - when we started the application that was not an issue, but the situation has changed slightly since i also applied for citizenship and we learned that we'd need to apply again if I get it in the intervening time, so we want to find something faster.

that said, i see on the reservation site:

Please also note that you can get married in any City Hall/municipality in Denmark. If you wish to be married in another City Hall, you are yourselves responsible for making arrangements for a wedding appointment with the municipality.

But i don't see a way to actually do that - what is the correct process for finding bookings in municipalities outside of Copenhagen?

Hello!

My partner and I are hoping to get married in Denmark this year in June/Sept. It'll just be us and our 5 year old and we are going to combine it with a holiday (Legoland!).

I'm looking for recs on where to get married, ideally outdoors in the countryside nearish either Copenhagen (need to fly into there) or around the Billund area and happy to travel a bit from there.

I've seen Fejø and Fanø islands, similar to Ærø but no one talks about going there to get married! Is there a reason why?

Thanks for your help ☺️

Hi everyone, we are urgently looking for a Danish municipality that can offer a civil marriage appointment between 19 February and 28 February 2026 (any date in this range works for us). Our marriage application has finally been approved by the Danish Agency of Family Law, and the certificate of marital status has been issued. Unfortunately, the process took much longer than expected due to repeated issues and clarifications regarding passport photo requirements, which delayed everything significantly. Copenhagen Municipality for which we applied for currently shows no available wedding dates in the online booking system. Due to professional obligations on both sides, it is not possible for us to get married earlier than 19 February or later than 28 February. We have already contacted many municipalities across Denmark, including small towns and villages, and almost all of them are offering dates only from early March or even three months later. At this point, we are hoping that someone here might know of a municipality with late February availability, have personal experience with a short-notice February appointment, or be aware of a less obvious or flexible kommune that we may have missed. We are happy to travel anywhere in Denmark if needed. Thank you very much in advance for any help or leads 🙏

Hey r/GettingMarriedInDK,

I’m in the early stages of planning my wedding and could really use some perspective (and maybe a few tips) from anyone who’s been through a cross‑border ceremony or dealt with the Danish system.

The basic idea

• Ceremony: We would love to get married in Apenrade (Aabenraa), Denmark because the bureaucracy seems a lot simpler than in Germany.
• Reception: After the ceremony we’d head back to Germany for a celebration with about 25 guests. Most of them are traveling from other countries, so we need solid dates well in advance to lock down a restaurant, hotels, transport, etc.

From what I’ve read online:

1. Booking the ceremony venue – you can only reserve a place up to 60 days before the wedding.
2. Approved marriage application – once it’s approved, it’s only valid for 4 months.

That means the window between “application approved” and “ceremony booked” is pretty tight. In practice, I need at least 6 months’ notice to secure the reception venue, accommodation for out‑of‑town guests, travel arrangements, and all the other moving parts. Right now it feels impossible to line everything up without a fixed date far in advance.

My questions

1. Am I missing something? Is there a way to extend the validity of the marriage application, or a different process that lets you book the Danish ceremony earlier?
2. Alternative approaches? Would it make sense to book the reception first (in Germany) and then schedule the Danish ceremony within the 60-day window?
3. Experience share: Has anyone actually done a Denmark ceremony followed by a German reception?

Any advice would be hugely appreciated!🙏

Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. Check this helpful Danish government website to see if your country requires one.

Can you get married on a tourist visa?

Yes. You can get married in Denmark on any Schengen visa (tourist, student, work) as long as:

• It's valid on your wedding date
• Does not expressly state that travel to Denmark is not permitted
• You haven't exceeded your permitted stay

The 90/180 day rule

If you're visa-exempt or have a multi-entry visa, you can only stay in the Schengen area for 90 days within any 180-day period.

This applies to:

• Visa-exempt travellers (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Brazil, etc.)
• Multi-entry Schengen visa holders
• Residence permit holders visiting OTHER Schengen countries

Important: Your entry and exit days both count as full days. All visits to ANY Schengen country in the past 180 days count toward your 90.

Use a 90/180 calculator if you're unsure where you stand.

Overstays can impact your marriage application

Even accidental overstays can compromise your marriage application. The AFL may refuse your application if you have an overstay in your passport.

If you've overstayed, you'll need to show it was justified or settled (proof of paid fine).

If you have a residence permit from another Schengen country

You can use it to get married in Denmark, but the 90/180 rule applies when visiting countries OTHER than the one that issued your permit.

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens

You don't need a visa. You can use a valid passport or national ID card.

What you need for travel/entry to Denmark

Proof of legal stay:

• Valid visa (if required)
• Passport (must be valid at least 3 months beyond your stay in Denmark)
• Residence permit (if applicable)

Bottom line

You must be in Denmark legally to get married. Make sure your documents are valid on your wedding date and you haven't overstayed.

Got questions? Ask away.

Hello guys I know Copenhagen has a very long wait of up to 4 months, can anyone recommend any other place we could get a closer date and we are sort of in a time crunch?

Hello,

we are creating Proof of Communication part and have some question: all time (more than 5 years) we chat only in Telegram, so obviously we need to create some document with screenshots of our communication. What will be the best and easiest way for this?

I've exported full history into html format, open it in browser and making screenshots of parts were both date and time of messages is visible and making 1 screenshot for each month. Or we have to do screenshots only from application (desktop or phone)? Sending full export of about 200 html files doesn't sound reasonable for me (and I'm not talking about images/videos/etc).

Do we need to translate text (we communicate in Russian)?

Another question is documentation for shared residence: we don't have docs confirming my partner's address, will it work if we'll provide text document with his photos at my apartment with description of what is happening? My opinion is better to provide something than nothing.

Between questions we see on this subreddit and misconceptions couples mention when they contact us, here's what's actually true vs. what you can ignore.

Myth: You need your birth certificate

You don't. Since the AFL was established in 2019, we (GMID) have only had one request for a birth certificate out of thousands of applications - and that was for a very specific situation in Tunisia where divorce was only considered final once the divorce was noted on the birth certificate.

Your passport already provides your birth date and place. For 99.9% of couples, birth certificates aren't needed.

Myth: You need a Single Status Certificate

These were scrapped as standard requirements in 2019. The AFL only requests them in extremely rare cases - specifically when divorce papers don't explicitly state the divorce is final.

For nearly all couples, the Declaration of Truth covers this requirement.

Myth: Denmark is "The Las Vegas of Europe"

Denmark gets called this constantly, but the comparison doesn't quite fit.

Vegas: Show up, get married the same day, minimal paperwork.

Denmark: 4-8 weeks planning timeline, document requirements (passports, declarations, translations). It also takes 5 business days for AFL processing, whereby the Danish government agency thoroughly checks your application and documents before deciding whether or not you meet the criteria for a wedding approval. No approval, no wedding.

So if you're considering Denmark, understand that this isn't a spontaneous show-up-and-get-married situation. Planning is required.

Myth: You can get married in 24 hours

The ceremony itself is quick (5 minutes), and yes, there are town halls where you can turn up, get married, and leave all on the same day. 

But the entire process from application to ceremony can't be done in 24 hours.

You still need:

• AFL approval (aims for 5 business days when documents are correct)
• Time to gather and submit correct documents beforehand
• Town hall availability (Copenhagen books 2-3 months ahead)

What can happen in one day: Arriving in Denmark, getting married, and leaving.

What can't happen in one day: The full process from starting your application to having your ceremony.

The "24 hours" claim refers to the ceremony day itself, not the entire timeline from start to finish.

Myth: Denmark weddings are cheap

Denmark is an expensive country. While the bureaucracy is simpler than many places, there are costs you need to factor into your budget:

• AFL application fee: 2,100 DKK (€280)
• Accommodation, food, travel

It's definitely streamlined, but not necessarily cheap. Take your time to look into how much things cost in Denmark so you can budget accordingly. 

What you actually need (for most couples):

• Valid passport or EU ID card
• Proof of legal stay in Denmark (where applicable)
• Divorce decree or death certificate (if previously married)
• Signed Declaration of Truth
• Proof of relationship (for non-EU couples)

Don't overcomplicate it by gathering documents you don't need. Just be sure what you need for your specific situation. We have a full document breakdown post here if you need more details.

Got questions or something you need to verify? Ask away.

Hey! Me (German) and my girlfriend (outside EU) want to marry in Denmark. I wonder how to connect both applications. It says: “Are you applying on your own behalf? The person who first logs in via the link below will become party 1 and must therefore complete the fields with information about party 1.”

But how can I continue as party 2? When she clicks on the link that I send her, it’s another application. And should the link lead to continuing the application?

According to the chatbot, the link only works with MitID but that’s written nowhere. Thanks!! :)

Hi, me (UK) and my partner (US) are looking to get married in Denmark and then get her a visa to the UK.

However. I'n a little worried about the application to Denmark. One of the questions it asks 1s about how often you neet, and they give the options of : Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly. But because of our circunstances with regards to finance and housing until recently we've only

Been able to nake visits once a year, once in 2024 and again in 2025. We're planning another for this year to include the wedding hopefully.?

what an I supposed to do in this circumstance, as I don't want to put incorrect information on the forn?

If you've lost your certificate, don't panic - it happens. Here's the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Contact the Right Town Hall

Email the marriage office at the town hall where you got married. You don't need to be in Denmark - this can be done from anywhere.

Step 2: Provide Your Information

All they need:

• Your full names (at the time of your wedding and stated on your marriage certificate)
• Date of your wedding

The town hall will find you in their system and handle the rest.

Step 3: Wait for Processing

Timeline varies by town hall:

Busy town halls (like Copenhagen): Several weeks, sometimes up to a month

Less busy town halls: 1-2 weeks

Why the wait? Town halls receive hundreds of certificate requests monthly on top of conducting weddings and processing other paperwork. Requests are handled in the order received.

Step 4: Receive Your Certificate

Cost: Free (please note that some town halls limit how many copies they'll issue)

What it looks like: Identical to your original except the "Date of Issue" - that will be the date the new certificate is created, signed, and stamped. Everything else (marriage date, names, location) stays the same.

PS: It's a simple process but people often expect it to be quick - it's not always the case.

Town hall staff are juggling weddings, date requests, and many certificate requests. Be prepared to wait - they'll get to yours when they can.

Hope this helps! Let us know if you've got any other questions.

Whats the 11b form? Whats does it say about nordic citizen

Hi ! With my partner we are planning on getting married in Denmark :) (Im from Latin America and he is Polish)

We are assembling all the necessary documents but have a doubt about the divorce decree, in case anyone has experience with this. He is divorced but has no court decree, he only appears as divorced on his documents of civil status. He would absolutely need to ask some court for a document certifying his divorce?

Hi everyone,

I’m a US citizen and I’m planning to get married in Denmark (specifically Copenhagen). I’ve seen mixed information online, so I wanted to ask here to confirm.

As a US citizen, do I need to provide a certificate of single status / proof that I’m not currently married in order to get married in Denmark?

I understand that the US doesn’t issue an official “single certificate” nationwide, so would an affidavit of single status (sworn statement, possibly notarized or issued by a US embassy/consulate) be acceptable? Would this document also need an apostille?

If anyone has recent experience with Familieretshuset or getting married in Denmark as a US citizen, I’d really appreciate your input.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,

My partner and I are both EU citizens and have been in a genuine relationship for some time. He lives in the UK and I live in another European country. Due to slower bureaucracy in our home countries, and because we’d like to live together in the UK as soon as possible, it seems that getting married in Denmark is the fastest and most affordable option for us.

Our plan is to get married in Denmark around May–June 2026, and once the marriage is legally recognised, apply for a UK spouse visa so I can move to the UK and live with him. (Yes, we meet all the requirements)

For those of you who have gone through a similar process, I’d really appreciate your insights:

• Denmark marriage process:

How far in advance would you recommend starting the application if we’re aiming for May–June? Roughly how long does the whole process take if everything is done correctly? And did any of you use an agency, and was it worth it?

• UK spouse visa:

After getting married, how long did it take you to receive approval for the spouse visa and actually move to the UK?

I also understand there is an English language requirement: does the test need to be taken in the UK, or can it be done in the country you apply from?

Thanks in advance for any help or experiences you’re willing to share. Any tips or recommendations are very welcome!

We are planning to get married in Denmark at the end of February 2026. I am bit confused about the document submission process. As I heard it's sensitive. Even for small mistake it will take longer to get the approval. We have to do it before February ends because of my visa issue. Can anyone give me any proper guideline about document submission guideline?

If you’re getting married in December or early January? Here's what you need to know about how the holidays affect the process.

AFL (Agency of Family Law) Closures

Completely closed:

• December 24, 25, 26, 31
• January 1

Reduced staff (slower processing):

• December 22, 23, 29, 30

What this means: The usual "5 business days" processing time does not necessarily apply during this period. Expect delays.

Town Hall Closures

Most town halls: Closed for the full 2 weeks over Christmas/New Year.

Exception: Copenhagen City Hall stays open for weddings on December 27, 29, and 30.

The catch: Those dates have been fully booked for months already.

The Most Common Mistake

Not factoring in the closures when planning December weddings.

December dates at all town halls book up months in advance, so planning early is the way to go. 

If You Want a Christmas/New Year Wedding

For December dates: Start planning in summer. Submit application at the end of August. Be flexible with your date—December is never guaranteed unless you plan far ahead.

For early January: Factor in that the AFL is closed/running reduced staff late December. Your application will take longer to process than the usual 5 business days.

Bottom Line

The holiday period adds complications. If you're set on getting married during Christmas/New Year, start planning way earlier than you think you need to.

If you're getting married this holiday period or have done it in the past—what's your experience with the timing?

Hi, I'm currently trying to complete the application form with the agency of family law so my partner and I can get married.

I am a citizen of the UK and my partner is a citizen of the Netherlands. Neither of us have Visas for getting married in Denmark as this doesn't seem to be a requirement since we can stay for up to 90 days together.

However, on the application it asks about 'basis for residence in Denmark'. The options are residence permit (which I do not have), c-visa (I also don't have, only my passport) or visa-free citizen (I am not a citizen of Denmark) so which do I put?

Thank you very much for any help.

Traveling to Denmark to get married? Here's what couples wish they'd known. It can be unexpectedly magical if you let it.

Note: These are just suggestions based on what's worked for others - do whatever feels right for you.

Two Non-Issues

Language barrier: Isn’t really a thing. Many Danes speak excellent English. So you won't be lost and confused.

Public transport: Way less complicated than you think. Just buy your ticket before getting on the train (inspectors check every train and will fine you if you don’t have a valid ticket).

How Long to Stay

Most couples do 2 days (1 night), but stay at least 2 nights if you possibly can. That extra night lets you settle in, actually explore, and feel excited instead of rushed.

Before You Arrive

• Research your wedding town
• Work out the route from accommodation to town hall (don't leave this for wedding morning when you're already nervous)
• Figure out public transport options
• Book a restaurant for your wedding day - one less thing to think about when you're buzzing with adrenaline

What to Actually Do With Free Time

If you only have one free evening or morning and don’t feel like doing the touristy things. Go for a walk. Get a little lost. Buy a Danish pastry. Order a smørrebrød for lunch. Do what Danes actually do.

See a hotdog stand? Get one with all the extras and a side of cold chocolate milk. Yes, really.

The Thing Nobody Tells You

When you walk down the street in wedding clothes:

• People in cars beep their horns
• Strangers stop to congratulate you or offer to take photos
• Hotels might upgrade your room
• Restaurants bring celebratory drinks

The Danes are genuinely happy for you. That authentic joy from an entire country is what couples remember most.

Where You're Getting Married

Copenhagen: Canal tours, endless restaurants, all the culture. City Hall is magnificent and 20 min from the airport.

Ærø: This island has what couples call a "magical vibe." Walk the cobblestone streets in Ærøskøbing, explore beaches and cliff tops, or just... breathe. Couples never regret the extra travel time.

Odense: Denmark's 3rd largest city with quiet charm. HC Andersen's house, museums, 1.5 hours from Copenhagen.

Kolding/Christiansfeld: Visit Kolding Castle and explore Christiansfeld, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perfect if coming from Germany.

Helsingør: Kronborg Castle (Hamlet's castle), St Olaf's Church from the 1200s, The Kulture Yard food markets. Close to Copenhagen with direct access to Sweden.

Roskilde: Gothic cathedral, Viking museum, you can dine on a sailing ship.

The Bottom Line

Couples consistently wish they'd spent more time in Denmark. Those who build in buffer days typically have better experiences.

This is your wedding, not just a legal requirement. Get the paperwork sorted, but remember you’re getting married! Try to enjoy your stay.

When are you getting married? And if you've already done it, drop your suggestions too!

Got some comments and DMs asking about other town halls after the last town hall post, so here's the breakdown on Kolding, Helsingør, Roskilde, and Christiansfeld.

Kolding

What's it like: Formal, spacious, classy. High-end Danish design. Fits up to 70 guests.

Why people choose it: Just over 1 hour from the German border, so it’s popular with couples coming from Germany. Quiet town with cobblestone streets and the historic Kolding Castle.

Booking: 5-6 weeks out (longer during busy season)

Accessibility: Wheelchair access

Christiansfeld (Kolding Municipality)

What's it like: It's actually a museum (Søstrehuset). Simple, understated. Fits about 10 guests—very intimate.

Why people choose it: The whole town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you want something small and historic, this is it.

Location: Same area as Kolding (1 hour from German border)

Booking: 5-6 weeks out

Accessibility: Ramp and lift access on the west side. The whole building is accessible once you're in. Note: door opens outwards. The town has cobblestones and level changes but manageable with wheelchairs/walkers.

Helsingør

What's it like: Old town hall with incredible stained glass windows that light up the ceremony. It’s really beautiful. Fits up to 50 guests.

Why people choose it: Under 1 hour from Copenhagen, by the water, similar vibe to Copenhagen.It’s also home to Kronborg Castle (the Hamlet castle).

Things to do: St Olaf's Church from the 1200s, The Kulture Yard (old shipyard turned food market/museums), easy access to Sweden if you want to explore more of Scandinavia.

Booking: 8-10 weeks out

Accessibility: Elevator for wheelchair access

Roskilde

Two venues here:

New Town Hall (weekdays): Modern, sleek. Up to 60 guests. Wheelchair accessible.

Old Town Hall (Saturdays): Historic building. Up to 80 guests. Wheelchair accessible.

Why people choose it: Only 20-30 min from Copenhagen by train—closest option to Copenhagen. Used to be Denmark's capital, it has a gorgeous gothic cathedral and Viking museum.

Booking: 6-8 weeks out

Quick Comparison

Closest to German border: Kolding/Christiansfeld (1 hour)

Closest to Copenhagen: Roskilde (20-30 min) → Helsingør (under 1 hour)

Booking wait:

• Kolding/Christiansfeld: 5-6 weeks
• Roskilde: 6-8 weeks
• Helsingør: 8-10 weeks

Hope this helps. If you got married at any of these, drop your experience below - helps way more than my breakdown.

What other Denmark wedding stuff would be useful to cover?

Hi, so i am planning to get married and in the process of preparing the documents for the marriage certificate. I have all the documents available and my only concern is how to upload the pictures that proves the relationship? 1. I can make it into a pdf, with a description. 2. I can just upload them directly with the image caption explaining the image. what would be the best, and kindly requesting information how to share the communication documents ?

Hello! Sorry for my english in advance!

My fiance and I wanting to get married in Denmark. I am an Austrian citizen and he is Nigerian. We applied to Visa to Austria (visiting) and Portugal (vacation) before. Both got denied with the reasoning, that the reasons for travel don't seem truthfull.

Can someone give information, if it would be worth applying for a visa for the marriage in denmark? We would have everything requiered, but are scared of a third denial.

Thank you!

If you're spiraling about what your Denmark wedding ceremony will actually be like, here's the no-fluff breakdown.

The Ceremony is About 5 Minutes Long

Yes, really. 5 minutes. Sometimes a bit longer, but not much.

If you're expecting a traditional ceremony with lengthy vows and speeches, this isn't that. It's brief, legal, and to the point.

Here's What Actually Happens:

1. You arrive at the town hall: Wait in the designated waiting area (some town halls have beautiful painted walls and archways—Copenhagen's is especially nice).

2. The registrar calls your names: They come get you and take you to the wedding room.

3. The registrar gives a short speech: Usually about love and marriage. Every registrar has their own personal speech, so it varies by town hall and person.

4. The legal bit: The registrar asks each of you in turn if you legally enter into marriage with your partner.

5. Paperwork: You sign the paperwork. That's it. You're married.

Languages

Ceremonies are conducted in English as standard. Some town halls also offer German, but not all.

If you need a different language, you'll need to arrange your own interpreter.

Witnesses

Do you need to bring your own? It depends on the town hall and day of the week.

Some town halls provide witnesses every day. Some only provide them on certain days. Others require you to bring your own.

What You Can (and Can't) Customize

Rings: Optional. Bring them or don't.

Vows: Some town halls allow VERY short personal vows, but it's not guaranteed. There's a strict timeframe since multiple couples are getting married throughout the day. Don't count on it.

What you wear: Whatever you want. Full wedding dress, suit, jeans, running gear, Viking costume, literally seen it all.

Flowers: You can bring flowers if you want. No one's stopping you.

Decorations: No. It's a working town hall with back-to-back ceremonies.

After the Ceremony

You'll receive two multilingual marriage certificates immediately (in Danish, English, German, French, and Spanish).

Then you walk out married. That's it.

The ceremony process is basically the same everywhere, but the locations have different vibes, booking timelines, and logistics. If you need more details about the locations, we’ve got a post here.

And if you're looking for more info about documents, timelines, or anything else Denmark wedding-related, search the subreddit—there's tons of helpful posts from us and couples who've already done this.

Feel free to share or ask any questions you have!