How to Get Married in Denmark: DIY the Paperwork VS Hire an Agency?
DIY or Agency?
The DIY Route: Fast and Cheap (If You Are Perfect)
When You Should Hire an Agency
The Agency Route: Who and Why Do I Recommend
Beyond the Paperwork: The "Vacuum" Problem
Your Action Plan
TABLE OF CONTENT
DIY or Agency?
If you are Googling "how to get married in Denmark" or "paperwork to get married in Denmark," you have probably already realized that your home country’s bureaucracy is a nightmare.
Whether you are a Brazilian living in Ireland, or a multinational couple based in Germany, you chose Copenhagen because it is supposed to be the "easy" option.
But then you downloaded the requirements list.
Suddenly, the "easy" option feels complicated. You are staring at a government website, wondering: Do I really need to pay a service to file these forms, or can I just do it myself?
I am not a lawyer; I am a wedding photographer and planner. But after coordinating hundreds of weddings for international couples in Copenhagen, I see who arrives relaxed and who arrives panic-checking their email for an approval letter.
Here is the honest breakdown of the specific paperwork to get married in Denmark and whether you should handle it yourself or hire pros.
The DIY Route: Fast and Cheap (If You Are Perfect)
Technically, you do not need a third party. The application goes through the Danish Agency of Family Law (Familieretshuset). The process is entirely digital, and the government fee is currently 2,100 DKK (approx. €280).
This route works if your case is "vanilla."
Who this is for: Two EU citizens, living together, No complex visa histories to explain.
Your case is standard. One EU citizen and one non-EU citizen with a clear visa status, single, never married,
The timeline: If your scans are perfect, approval can take as little as 5 working days.
However, the system is binary. It either works perfectly, or it halts completely.
If you make a mistake—a blurry passport edge, a translation that isn't certified, or a signature that varies slightly from your ID—you don’t get a quick fix. You often get sent to the back of the queue.
We call this the "Reset Clock."
For international couples with expiring visas or booked flights, a 8-week delay because of a PDF error isn't just annoying; it’s a disaster.
When You Should Hire an Agency
Most of the couples I work with are decisive professionals who value efficiency over DIY struggles. They hire help not because they can't fill out a form, but because they cannot afford the risk of a rejection.
You should seriously consider hiring an agency to handle paperwork for foreigners to get married in Denmark if:
You are a Non-EU/International Couple: The scrutiny regarding "pro forma" (sham) marriages is much higher. You need to prove your relationship history clearly.
You Have Been Married Before: Divorce decrees and death certificates are the #1 reason for rejection. If your document doesn't have the correct Apostille or isn't translated by a sworn translator, it will be bounced.
You Are on a Tight Deadline: If you need to marry on a specific Friday next month, you cannot afford a "request for more information" delay.
The Agency Route: Who and Why Do I Recommend
In the Copenhagen wedding industry, we see which agencies actually deliver. There are many options, but there is one team I consistently see saving the day: Getting Married in Denmark (GMID).
I don't say this because I have to. I say it because how they work is just like me — transparent and efficient, having high standard of service.
I recommend them also because they act as a pre-filter.
They don't just forward your documents; they vet them with the same scrutiny the Danish government uses. They know that a residency permit from Germany needs to be scanned a specific way, or that a US divorce decree needs a specific verification.
If there is a 1% chance of rejection, they catch it before you apply.
Think of them as insurance. You aren't paying them to fill out a form; you are paying them to ensure you don't get stuck in administrative limbo.
Pro Tip: If you are unsure about your specific case, Getting Married in Denmark offers a free assessment to tell you exactly what documents you will need.
Beyond the Paperwork: The "Vacuum" Problem
Here is the part no one tells you.
Once you get your approval letter (the Prøvelsesattest), the agency's job is done. You are legally cleared. But being "legally approved" is not the same as having a wedding plan.
You have the approval letter, but:
Who is coordinating your timeline so you know when is happening what?
How do you find a makeup artist who understands Asian or diverse skin tones in Copenhagen?
Where do you go for photos if it rains?
Will the wedding bouquet go well with the style of photography?
This is where DreamSonder steps in.
My role starts where the paperwork ends. I compress the vendor search, timeline planning, and photography into one cohesive service. You don't need to manage three separate vendors in a city you don't live in. You hand the logistics to me, so you can focus on the wonderful experience.
Your Action Plan
If you are overwhelmed by the requirements, don't gamble.
Secure the approval letter: Use Getting Married in Denmark to guarantee your paperwork approval without the stress.
Secure the Day: Once the legal side is safe, book a team (that's us) to manage the visual and practical logistics.
If you are just starting your research and want a deep dive into costs, timelines, and specific document requirements, read my previous detailed breakdown: How to Get Married in Denmark: Complete Guide for International Couples (2026)
Is your paperwork already sorted? If you have your approval letter in hand, let's talk about designing a timeline that feels like a celebration, not a checklist.
You may also want to read …
