Lyla Dejesus
Denmark has become a popular destination for international couples to get married, owing to its relatively simple marriage laws, quick approval process, and inclusivity. Denmark offers a range of wedding venues, from city halls to churches, catering to different preferences and beliefs. The country has a state church, the Church of Denmark, which conducts legal weddings, but freedom of religion is also guaranteed by the constitution. Interreligious weddings are common in Denmark, and couples do not face the same legal hurdles as they might in their home countries. Denmark also recognizes same-sex marriages, with the Church of Denmark performing same-sex wedding ceremonies since 2012. Overall, Denmark's marriage laws and cultural environment make it an attractive option for couples worldwide seeking a stress-free, inclusive, and romantic destination for their wedding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recognition of religious weddings | Religious weddings are recognised in Denmark, with the freedom of religion being introduced in 1849. |
| Interreligious weddings | Interreligious weddings are becoming the norm in Denmark. |
| Same-sex marriage | Denmark recognises same-sex marriage. |
| Recognition of foreign marriages | Foreign marriages that are not recognised by law but by religion do not require death or divorce certificates to get married in Denmark. |
| Marriage requirements | Denmark requires a valid visa, proof of residence, and relationship proof. |
| Marriage certificate | A marriage certificate is provided by the church after the wedding. |
| Surname change | It is not possible to change your surname at the wedding ceremony or afterward unless you are a legal resident of Denmark. |
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What You'll Learn
Denmark's recognition of interfaith marriages
Denmark is a popular destination for interfaith marriages, with many couples choosing to wed there due to its reputation for being quick, easy, safe, and comfortable. The country does not discriminate based on race, nationality, or religion, and interreligious weddings are becoming the norm. Denmark's legal system is strict, and even minor errors in documentation can postpone a wedding by up to three months. However, companies like Marry in Denmark offer support services to ensure a smooth process.
In most European countries, there are no religious marriage acts, and marriages are typically registered through a legal procedure before being planned as a religious ceremony. Denmark follows a similar process, with civil ceremonies being the only way to register a marriage. However, the Church of Denmark does allow priests to perform blessings of same-sex relationships. While religious communities do not need state approval to practice their faith, state-approved congregations enjoy several privileges, including the ability to conduct legal weddings.
Denmark has a history of progressive policies regarding marriage. In 1989, it became the first country to establish registered partnerships for same-sex couples, providing them with almost all the rights and benefits of marriage. In 2012, Denmark amended the Marriage Act to grant same-sex couples the right to marry in the Evangelical-Lutheran Church on equal terms as heterosexual couples. This made Denmark the fourth Nordic country and the eighth country in Europe to legalize same-sex marriage.
Additionally, Denmark has introduced several LGBT-friendly policies, such as recognizing two legal parents of the same gender in 1999, allowing lesbians equal access to insemination in public hospitals in 2006, and granting homosexuals equal adoption rights in 2010. In 2022, the country passed a law exempting lesbian couples from proving how their child was conceived, and the female partner automatically becomes the legal co-mother. Denmark is also known for its flexible parental leave policies for rainbow families, allowing up to four parents to share leave.
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Denmark's recognition of same-sex marriages
Denmark has been described as one of the most LGBTQ-accepting countries in the world. In 2023, ILGA-Europe ranked Denmark as the third most LGBTQ-supportive country in Europe, and polls consistently show that same-sex marriage support is nearly universal amongst the Danish population.
Denmark has a long history of progressive LGBTQ+ rights legislation. In 1989, Denmark became the first country in the world to pass a law about same-sex marriage called a "registered partnership". This law gave homosexual couples the same legal rights as married couples, excluding the right to adoption before 2010, and the right to marry in a church. In 1996, Denmark entirely prohibited discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
In 2012, Denmark amended the Marriage Act, granting same-sex couples the right to marry in the Evangelical-Lutheran Church on equal terms with heterosexual couples. On 15 June 2012, the partnership law was repealed and replaced by a gender-neutral marriage law, which came into effect on 15 June. This new law made Denmark one of the first countries in the world to legalise same-sex marriage.
Since 1999, a person in a same-sex registered partnership has been able to adopt their partner's biological children, and in 2010, same-sex couples were granted the right to adopt jointly. In 2014, Denmark became the first European country to remove the Gender Identity Disorder diagnosis as a requirement in the gender recognition process. In 2017, Denmark became the first country in the world to officially remove transgender identities from its list of mental health disorders.
Denmark has also taken steps to improve school well-being for LGBTQ+ children, allocating funds to train teachers and pedagogues to promote better inclusion. In 2021, the Danish Parliament passed legislation strengthening protection against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics within and outside the labour market.
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Denmark's visa requirements for religious weddings
Denmark has become a popular destination for foreigners to get married, thanks to its relatively simple marriage laws and quick approval process. Interreligious weddings are common in Denmark, and the country does not discriminate based on race, nationality, or religion.
Visa Requirements
When it comes to visa requirements for religious weddings in Denmark, here are the key points to keep in mind:
- Schengen C Visa: You can get married in Denmark if you have a valid Schengen C Visa on the date of your wedding, provided you have not exceeded your permitted stay and your visa does not exclude travel to Denmark. The C visa can have varying validity periods and allowed days in the Schengen area, so ensure you adhere to the specific rules of your visa. If you have overstayed, the town hall will refuse to marry you.
- D Visa: Similar to the C Visa, if you have a valid D Visa on your wedding date, meet the 90/180-day rule for the Schengen area (where applicable), and your visa does not prohibit travel to Denmark, you can get married. The D Visa also has varying validity periods and allowed days in the Schengen area, so be mindful of your visa's specifics. Exceeding the allowed days may result in the town hall refusing to perform the wedding.
- Residence Permit: If one or both partners are from outside the EU/Schengen area but live in an EU/Schengen country, you must provide your residence permit.
- Documentation: Ensure you have the necessary documents, including passports, residence proof, and relationship proof. A certificate of marital status may also be required, issued no older than four months and translated into Danish, English, or German if necessary.
- Application Process: You will typically submit an application through the Danish Agency of Family Law (AFL). Processing usually takes about five business days. After approval, you can book your ceremony with your chosen municipality.
- Fees: There is a fee for marriage if both individuals have a permanent address outside of Denmark. Contact the City of Copenhagen for the current fee amount.
- Asylum Seekers: Persons applying for asylum cannot get married in Denmark.
- Same-Sex Marriages: Registered partnerships (same-sex marriages) can be entered if at least one person is a Danish citizen or if both individuals have lived in Denmark with a permanent address for the last two years.
- Stay Requirement: You will usually need to stay in the municipality for about two weeks before the marriage.
While Denmark offers a straightforward process for religious weddings, it's important to remember that the legal system is strict. Even minor errors in documentation can result in postponements, so attention to detail is crucial.
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The Church of Denmark's role in religious weddings
Denmark is a popular destination for interreligious weddings, as it is relatively easy to marry in the country, and it does not discriminate based on race, nationality, or religion. The country also has a history of religious freedom, with the constitution of 1849 introducing freedom of religion, though Lutheranism remained the state religion.
The Church of Denmark, also known as the Evangelical-Lutheran Church or the National Church, is the established state-supported church in Denmark. The monarch is the supreme secular authority of the church, and the royal family has historically been members, with recent converts including Prince Consort Henrik, who converted from Catholicism before marrying Queen Margrethe in 1968, and Mary Donaldson, who converted from Presbyterianism before marrying King Frederik in 2004.
The Church of Denmark has official rituals for weddings, and in 2012, it began performing same-sex marriage ceremonies, with the introduction of a bill by the Minister for Equality, Ecclesiastical Affairs, and Nordic Cooperation, Manu Sareen. The Church of Denmark also conducts weddings for interreligious couples, and in 2022, 31.2% of weddings were performed in the Church of Denmark.
To hold a wedding in the Church of Denmark, individuals must be members of the church and pay the voluntary church tax. The church is also involved in the process of registering a couple's wedding, collecting the necessary documents, and signing the legal papers.
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The legal process for religious weddings in Denmark
Denmark is known for being a top destination for international couples looking for a simple and easy way to arrange their weddings. The country is welcoming to people of all nationalities, races, religions, and backgrounds. Interreligious weddings are becoming the norm in Denmark, with couples of different faiths marrying there instead of in their home countries.
Denmark's legal system is strict, and the marriage process involves a lot of paperwork, but there are agencies that can help couples with the legal requirements. All marriage applications must be made via the Danish Agency of Family Law (AFL), which aims to respond to applications within 5 business days. However, any missing or incorrect information can cause long delays. The document requirements vary depending on the couple's country of origin, residence, civil status, and whether they have children.
To get married in Denmark, visas are required. Couples can get married on a Schengen C Visa or a D visa as long as the visa is valid on the date of the wedding, the couple has not exceeded the duration of their permitted stay, and the visa does not exclude travel to Denmark. If one or both partners are from outside the EU/Schengen area but live in an EU/Schengen country, they must provide a residence permit.
If one or both partners were previously married, divorce papers or a death certificate is necessary. However, if the previous marriage was only recognized by the couple's religion and not by law, divorce papers are not required. It is not possible to change surnames at the wedding ceremony or afterward in Denmark unless the couple is a legal resident of the country.
State-approved congregations in Denmark can conduct legal weddings, establish their own cemeteries, get residence permits for foreign priests, are exempt from corporate and property tax, may apply for state lottery funds, and their members may tax-deduct membership fees and presents to the congregation.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Denmark recognizes religious weddings. Interreligious weddings are growing to be the norm in Denmark, and it is one of the best countries in the EU for quick and easy weddings.
The requirements for getting married in Denmark vary depending on your citizenship and residency status. Generally, you will need valid passports, residence proof, and relationship proof. If you are not a Danish or Nordic citizen, you will need a valid visa or residence permit. For EU citizens, you must have the right to permanent residence in Denmark.
Yes, Denmark recognizes same-sex marriages. In 2012, the Church of Denmark approved a bill to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies, and Denmark now has many gay-friendly churches and officiants.
No, you do not need to be a member of the Church of Denmark to get married there. If you do not have an affiliation with the church, the priest will decide if the wedding can take place.
It is not possible to change your surname at your wedding ceremony or afterward in Denmark if you are not a legal resident. You would need to contact the relevant authorities in your country of residence and register your marriage there to change your surname.
