Certificate of Marital Status in Denmark
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If you are planning a wedding in Denmark as an international couple, one of the most important parts of the process is obtaining a Certificate of Marital Status.
In Danish, this document is called a prøvelsesattest. It confirms that you meet the legal requirements for marriage under Danish law and allows your wedding ceremony to take place.
For many international couples, the Certificate of Marital Status is therefore one of the key steps between preparing the application and booking the actual wedding ceremony.
What is a Certificate of Marital Status?
A Certificate of Marital Status is issued after the relevant Danish authority has reviewed your application and confirmed that you meet the conditions for marriage in Denmark.
For many international couples, the application is handled by the Danish Agency of Family Law (Familieretshuset). However, depending on your nationalities and residence status, the application may instead be handled by a Danish municipality.
The certificate confirms that the legal requirements have been checked. For example, both partners must generally be at least 18 years old and unmarried. If either partner has been married before, the previous marriage must have legally ended before a new marriage can take place.
It is important not to confuse the Certificate of Marital Status with the marriage certificate you receive after your ceremony. The Certificate of Marital Status is part of the approval process before your wedding, while your marriage certificate documents that the marriage has actually taken place.
How do you receive the certificate?
Before the certificate can be issued, you must submit a marriage application together with the documents relevant to your situation.
The exact requirements vary from couple to couple. The Agency of Family Law may ask for your passport or EU ID card, documentation of your legal right to enter and stay in Denmark, proof of residence if you live together, birth certificates for children you have together, or documentation showing that a previous marriage has ended.
Foreign documents may also need to be translated, legalized or provided with an Apostille, depending on where they were issued.
This is why it is important to prepare the application carefully. Missing information or unclear documents can lead to requests for additional documentation and unnecessary delays.
You can read more in our guide to the required documents for a wedding in Denmark and our guide on how to avoid delays.
How long does the approval take?
If the Agency of Family Law receives a complete application, the required fee and all necessary documents, the Certificate of Marital Status can often be issued within five working days.
However, this applies to straightforward applications where no further information is needed. If documents are missing or the case requires additional review, processing can take longer.
Submitting clear and complete information from the beginning is therefore one of the best ways to keep the process moving efficiently.
At Just Married in Denmark, we help international couples prepare and review their applications to reduce the risk of avoidable mistakes and delays.
For how long is the certificate valid?
A Certificate of Marital Status is normally valid for four months from the date it is issued. Your wedding must take place while the certificate is still valid.
If the certificate expires before the ceremony, you will normally need to submit a new application, provide the documentation again and pay a new application fee.
In some cases, the validity period may be shorter. For example, if your passport, visa or residence permit expires earlier, this may affect how long the certificate is valid.
This is worth considering when choosing your wedding date, especially if one of you is travelling to Denmark on a visa.
What happens after the certificate is issued?
Once the Certificate of Marital Status has been issued, your wedding ceremony can be arranged with a Danish city hall or another relevant marriage authority.
At this point, the process moves from the legal application stage to the practical planning of your wedding.
The certificate is therefore not your final marriage document. It is the approval that allows the ceremony to take place.
After the ceremony, you will receive your Danish marriage certificate. Depending on where you plan to use it, you may also need an Apostille or another form of legalisation.
The application fee
There is an official fee for applications handled by the Agency of Family Law.
As of 2026, the fee for an application for a Certificate of Marital Status is DKK 2,100. The fee must be paid before the application can be processed and is reviewed annually.
Because the amount can change, it is always a good idea to check the current fee before submitting your application.
We can help you with your application
The Certificate of Marital Status is an important part of the process for many international couples marrying in Denmark, but obtaining it does not have to be complicated.
The key is to make sure your application reflects your individual situation and that the relevant documents are submitted correctly. Requirements can vary depending on nationality, residence status, previous marriages and other circumstances.
At Just Married in Denmark, we help international couples with the application process, document preparation and the practical arrangements for their ceremony.
You can read more about our wedding packages and prices or contact us if you would like help with the process.
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