Marrying a foreign national at a German registry office (Standesamt) can take several months because of the certificate of no impediment (Ehefähigkeitszeugnis) and, where necessary, an exemption granted by the Higher Regional Court. Marrying in Denmark is a legal and faster route.

Why Denmark is known as “Europe's Las Vegas” for weddings

Danish family law is very liberal: no complex certificate of no impediment or lengthy court checks are needed. Denmark's Agency of Family Law (Familieretshuset) reviews the documents online within a few days.

Documents for the Danish online review

To apply on the Familieretshuset portal you need valid passports with Schengen visas or residence permits, birth certificates, proof of marital status (confirmation of no impediment to marriage) and, if there were previous marriages, divorce decrees, with translations.

Does the Danish certificate need an apostille?

A marriage concluded in a Danish municipality is valid outside Denmark too. Under EU Regulation 2016/1191, no apostille is required to use the Danish marriage certificate in Germany; you can request a multilingual standard form to go with it. Before you travel, check with your registry office what form it accepts the document in and whether a translation is needed.

Recognition in Germany and changing your tax class

Back in Germany, the couple contacts the registry office and the Bürgeramt. A valid Danish marriage is generally recognised in Germany without a separate procedure. The registration records are updated to “married”, which opens the way to family reunification and the 3/5 or 4/4 tax classes.

What to check

  • Submit your online application to the Danish Familieretshuset in good time.
  • Pay the fee for processing your application in Denmark (see the current amount on the Familieretshuset website).
  • Ask for the EU multilingual standard form to accompany your marriage certificate.
  • Present the Danish certificate at the German Bürgeramt to change your marital status.

Example situation

A German–Brazilian couple is turned down by a German registry office because of missing documents, marries in the Danish town of Ribe in a single day and changes their tax class in Berlin a week later.

Next step

Marrying in Denmark is legal and generally recognised in Germany; it is a convenient option when the German procedure is complicated, but check your registry office's requirements and any visa issues in advance.

Official information on this topic

Checklists and examples are organisational recommendations. Requirements depend on the procedure, the city and your situation; check them with the relevant office before you act. Please discuss legal and tax questions with an authorised professional.

This article was prepared with the help of AI. The example illustrates the approach and does not describe a client case.