Procedure
Here you can read all you need to know to get married
Danish and foreign couples can get married in our beautiful and romantic surroundings
Every week, many couples experience a wonderful and unforgettable day in Esbjerg Municipality.
Before you can make arrangements for your wedding, we need some necessary documents from you so that we can process your case. In the sections below, you can read much more about all you have to do to get married.
Danish citizenship
We process your application for marriage if you and your partner either/or:
- are Danish or Nordic citizens
- have an unlimited residence permit in Denmark
- have the right to unlimited residence in Denmark according to EU rules
- If you want to get married, you must start with a marrige application
This applies regardless of whether you want a civil wedding, a church wedding or a wedding in another religious community. Remember that you must both be 18 years old if you want to get married.
You can find the application if you click here in this text.
You can use the self-service solution if you both have MitID. We recommend that you use a computer instead of a smartphone or tablet. You will also find applications and useful links, such as application for name change, under the item Documents and links.
Foreign citizenship
The Agency of Family Law (Familieretshuset) is responsible for the case work when at least one of you is a foreign citizen and does not have the right to unlimited residence in Denmark.
Click here in the text to go directly to the application for international weddings.
Public authorities that draw information from the CPR are automatically notified of your marriage.
Interpreter
We can marry you in Danish, German or English. If you both don't understand Danish, German or English, you must bring an approved interpreter
We offer weddings at the Old Town Hall in Ribe or the Old Courthouse in Esbjerg (depending on the date):
You can get married if you have got an approval from The Agency of Family Law (Familieretshuset).
The weddings take place every Thursday and Fridays between 10.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m.
We can provide witnesses for you.
Please, contact us to get a wedding appointment.
Please note! We have no available dates for weddings in Esbjerg Municipality over the next three months.”
Rice, confetti, artificial flowers, etc.
You may not throw rice, confetti, artificial flowers, etc. in or in front of the town hall.
Closing days 2026
Please note, that we don’t perform weddings on the following days in 2026:
- 14, 15 and 16 May 2026
- Weeks 30, 31and 32
- 21 – 31 December 2026
Witnesses
We can provide witnesses at the town hall during the following period:
The Old Town Hall in Ribe og the Old Courthouse in Esbjerg:
Thursday at 10.00 - 13.00.
Friday at 10.00 - 13.00
Information about your witnesses
You must provide the names and addresses of your witnesses. This must be sent by mail to [email protected] one week before the wedding, at the latest.
When you want to get married in a church
If you want to get married in a church, you must contact the priest of the chosen church to make an appointment for the wedding.
Afterwards, you must fill in the declaration of marriage.
The municipality you live in will examines whether you meet the conditions for entering into marriage. If your application is approved, you will receive an examination certificate in your official digital mailbox.
The test certificate must be handed over to the priest who will ordain you.
Marriage certificate and change your surname on your wedding day
Marriage certificate
We are obliged to investigate whether you both meet the conditions in the Marriage Act in order to enter into marriage.
If the conditions are met, we will issue a marriage certificate.
If you want to get married in another Danish municipality, in a church or another religious community, we will send the test certificate in your official digital mailbox.
If you do not have digital mail, the certificate will be sent by regular postmail.
You must deliver the certificate yourself to the relevant municipality, church or religious community.
You must also yourself arrange everything about the wedding with the priest or the person responsible in a religious community.
The marriage certificate is valid for 4 months. If you cannot get married before the certificate expires, you must apply again for a new one.
You can complete the applications digitally with MitID. You will find applications and useful links at the box Documents and Links.
Change of surname
If you want to change your surname on your wedding day, you also have to complete the application for this.
The applications can be completed digitally with MitID. You will find applications and useful links at the box Documents and Links.
If you need your marriage certificate reissue, we can help you
If you have been civilly married in Esbjerg Municipality, we can reissue your marriage certificate.
We reissue Danish and international marriage certificates. Please note that we may only reissue marriage certificates for current marriages, i.e. if you are still married. Otherwise, you can get issued a excerpt from the marriage register. You can find out more by contacting the Wedding Office.
Click here to access the application for the reissuance of a marriage certificate.
If you need a civil status/residence certificate, we can help you
A civil status certificate is a residence certificate where both residence and marital status are stated.
The certificates can be delivered in Danish, English or German. The certificate will be sent to your official digital mailbox.
A certificate costs DKK 101 (rate for 2026).
If you don't have the opportunity of apply digitally online, you can get help from Citizen Service or the library.
If you want to order a certificate for another person, you must appear with a written power of attorney.
Click here in the text to go directly to the online application for a civil status or residence certificate.
This page is in Danish. If you need help, feel free to contact us.