Fees and processing time

The official application fee

The current Danish application fee is DKK 2.100. This is paid directly to Familieretshuset and is reviewed annually. It is separate from any SimpleMarriage service fee and from any costs you incur for translations, apostille, travel, or a wedding venue.

Typical processing time

Familieretshuset states that, as a general rule, couples can expect their Certificate of Marital Status within 5 working days, provided that:

• Both parties have completed the application,
• The fee has been paid,
• All necessary documents and information have been provided, and
• The couple meets the conditions for marriage in Denmark.

Applications with missing information, missing documents, or that require additional review may take longer.

Certificate validity

The Certificate of Marital Status is valid for 4 months from the date of issue. If you do not marry within that window, the certificate expires and you need to apply again, paying a new fee. If your passport, visa, or residence permit expires earlier, the certificate may be issued with a shorter validity.

Realistic end-to-end timing

The 5-day processing time is for the authority's decision once they have a complete application. Your real timeline includes:

• Document gathering: 1–4 weeks, depending on what you already have.
• Translation (if required): 1–2 weeks per document.
• Apostille (if required): 1–4 weeks depending on country.
• Authority decision: 5 working days for complete applications.
• Municipality appointment: varies. Popular municipalities have reported strong demand in 2025, book early.

A reasonable planning window is 4–10 weeks for most international couples. The Document Checker gives you a tailored estimate.

What can delay an application

• Documents missing apostille or legalisation.
• Translations not done by an authorised translator.
• Divorce or death documents not yet in final/original form.
• Non-EU partner status that requires additional review.
• Limited appointment availability in your preferred municipality.