How Long Does It Take to Get Married in Denmark?

Your wedding timeline has three main stages: preparing the documents, receiving marriage approval and finding an available ceremony date. The town hall appointment can take longer to secure than the approval itself, so check location options early.

Five working days is a guideline for approval of a complete eligible application, not a guaranteed wedding date. Plan around the whole process and keep your preferred dates flexible until the ceremony is confirmed.

Preparing the documents

Preparation can be quick when identification and supporting records are ready. Obtaining final divorce documents, translations or foreign authentication can take longer. Start with the required documents guide so you can identify tasks that depend on another organisation.

The applicants' own birth and baptism certificates are not required in the standard international application. The birth-certificate requirement concerns children you have together. Avoid delaying your plans while ordering documents outside your actual checklist.

Completing the application

Have both partners’ details, documents and payment method ready before opening the form. Set aside time to complete and review both parts together where possible. The questions and time needed depend on your circumstances.

Both parts must reach the Agency within its deadline. Its published processing guidance states that a case closes if both parts have not been received within 14 days after the application was started, requiring a new application and fee. Follow the application guide and complete the parts close together.

Waiting for approval

The five-working-day guideline applies when both partners' applications, payment and all necessary information are in place and the marriage conditions are met.

If the Agency asks for more evidence, the review can take substantially longer, sometimes several months. Reply promptly and consult the Agency’s current processing information. Sending a reply does not start a guaranteed new five-day review period.

Finding a ceremony date

Town halls manage their own appointments. A popular location or a specific Saturday can involve a longer wait than a flexible weekday wedding elsewhere. Summer demand and each municipality's ceremony schedule also affect availability.

Choose the municipality in your application before signing and paying. After approval, arrange the actual date through its booking process. Compare wedding locations in Denmark before committing to one town hall, particularly if your travel window is short.

Keeping the approval and travel dates aligned

Your Certificate of Marital Status lasts for a maximum of four months from issue. A shorter passport, visa or residence-permit validity may shorten it. Applying too early can therefore create a risk that the approval expires before your preferred appointment.

The wedding must also fall within your lawful stay. For tourists, the visa and travel rules remain separate from the marriage application. Neither a pending application nor an approval automatically extends the visit.

Allowing time for the identity check

Ask the municipality when original identification must be presented. Some town halls inspect it on the wedding day; others require an earlier working-day visit. Include the complete journey from the airport or border, and allow for transport delays.

Confirm the ceremony in writing before making non-refundable travel arrangements. Use the wedding checklist to review witnesses, language and original documents before departure.

Planning an apostille after the wedding

If you need an apostille, include time for obtaining the right certificate, legalisation and delivery. Postal handling is different from an in-person visit. Our apostille guide explains the available routes and the receiving authority's role.

What can make the process quicker

•    Prepare a complete, readable document file before submission.

•    Make sure both partners finish their parts promptly.

•    Check messages and spam folders regularly.

•    Consider more than one municipality and more than one weekday.

•    Resolve inconsistent names or unclear divorce finality before applying.

Professional support can help reduce avoidable mistakes. It cannot guarantee priority assessment, approval or a particular appointment.

Plan a realistic wedding window

Contact Copenhagen Weddings with your earliest and latest travel dates, preferred locations and document situation. We can help coordinate the stages under the service you choose and explain which parts of the schedule remain dependent on the authorities.