APOSTILLE AND LEGALISATION
Apostille and Legalisation for a Danish Marriage
Legalisation or an apostille authenticates a signature or seal, not a document's content or acceptance. It may be required for particular application documents or for using a Danish marriage certificate abroad, depending on the issuing and receiving authorities.
Apostille or consular legalisation?
Countries party to the Hague Apostille Convention issue a single apostille certificate from a designated authority. Countries outside it usually require a longer chain of consular legalisation, involving the issuing country's foreign ministry and often an embassy.
Whether authentication is needed, and which route applies, depends on the document, issuing country, receiving country and authority requirements. Exemptions may apply; it is not required for every foreign document.
Documents to check against the actual requirements
- Final divorce decrees and court judgments where authentication is required; US documents have a typical Agency of Family Law exemption
- Death certificates for a widowed partner where authentication is required
- Civil status or single-status certificates from some jurisdictions
- Your Danish marriage certificate if the receiving authority requires authentication for the intended use
Timing
Where legalisation is required, it follows the issuing authority's timetable. We factor it into the plan early and tell you when a target date depends on it.
We provide guidance on the usual route. We do not perform legalisation in other countries on your behalf, and we do not advise on immigration applications.