Getting Married in Denmark While Living in Germany

Short answer: many couples living in Germany marry in Denmark. This guide focuses on international couples applying through the Danish Agency of Family Law (Familieretshuset/FRH). Nationalities and the basis of each partner's residence determine whether FRH or a municipality handles the application; living outside Denmark alone does not decide jurisdiction. Check the official international-marriages overview for the relevant municipality routes, including Danish/Nordic cases and qualifying residence in Denmark. Documents depend on each partner's nationality, residence basis and history, not only on your German address. A German citizen and a non-EU partner with a German residence permit follow a different branch from two EU citizens, and previous marriages add their own documents.

Residence and nationality are two different questions

The application asks where each of you lives and what citizenship each of you holds. "We live in Germany" tells us about residence. It does not tell us whether a partner is a German, EU or non-EU citizen, and that second answer often decides which documents are needed. Treat each partner separately.

Common branches

A valid Schengen residence permit, such as a German residence title, serves as documentation of legal stay. Partners staying on a visa or visa-free entry follow the EES rules that apply from 10 April 2026; see the documents guide.

Previous marriages and documents from several countries

If a divorce was granted in Germany for a marriage concluded elsewhere, or the reverse, have the final decree ready and expect it to be checked carefully. Simplified EU rules can reduce authentication requirements for covered public documents issued in Germany; not every German-issued document is covered. Translation and authentication must be checked for the particular document and purpose.

Using your Danish marriage in Germany

Ask the relevant receiving German authority what proof of marriage it needs for your intended purpose. Do not assume a mandatory or default registration at the Standesamt. Optional civil-registry registration, name questions and immigration questions are separate matters for the relevant authorities. EU rules remove apostille requirements for covered public documents in their scope, including marriage certificates; confirm the documents and any translation needed for your use. Our apostille guide explains the options. A Danish marriage does not by itself create an immigration right or change anyone's surname; those are separate decisions by the relevant authorities.

Choosing a service from Germany

For the FRH application route described here, the service comparison is: Guided Service at €395 plus the government fee of DKK 2,100 paid directly, or Full Service at €995 total including VAT and the current government fee. See what it costs. Couples with a non-EU partner, an expiring residence permit or several previous marriages often benefit from an individual review before choosing.

Practical checklist for the trip from Germany

1. Original passports or accepted travel documents; an EU citizen may use an accepted national ID. Check validity and the municipality's specific ID instructions.
2. Residence permits for any non-EU partner, carried in original.
3. Any EES print-outs or travel evidence that applies to you.
4. The approval and the municipality's confirmation, printed.
5. Time to arrive early; ceremonies are short and run on schedule.
6. A plan for receiving the marriage certificate and asking the relevant German authority what evidence it needs for your intended purpose.

What cannot be guaranteed

Approval, processing time, ceremony dates and recognition in Germany are decided by the authorities involved. We do not give immigration or name-law advice.

Next step

Tell us both partners' nationalities, your residence in Germany and any previous marriages in the free case assessment enquiry. A German version of this guide is available: Heiraten in Dänemark von Deutschland aus.

General information, not legal advice. The Danish authorities and municipalities make all decisions.