Great view from King Oscar’s Terrace, Oscarsterassen, at Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum. In the background The Vasa Museum and The Nordic Museum (Nordiska museet).
Getting married in Sweden as a foreigner can be a thrilling and unforgettable adventure! The combination of the country’s natural beauty, rich historical tradition, and ultramodern architecture means that getting married in Sweden offers a one-of-a-kind experience for any couple, no matter what kind of wedding you’re looking for. Plus, it’s incredibly clean and safe so you can relax and fully enjoy your experience, soaking in everything Sweden has to offer.
However, if you’re a couple from outside the country who’s planning on getting married in Sweden, it’s important to know how to get married in Sweden to ensure that you’re complying with all the country’s marriage laws and regulations.
The good news is that while paperwork and logistics are never fun to deal with, the requirements for getting married in Sweden are quick and easy to take care of. With just a bit of care and patience, you can have all the boring bureaucratic stuff taken care of quickly and painlessly so that you can start focusing on all the fun and excitement of planning your wedding in Sweden.
If you’re getting married in Sweden as a foreigner, just use this handy guide and before you know it you’ll be ready for the Swedish wedding of your dreams. Here’s how to get married in Sweden as a foreigner!
Can A Foreigner Get Married In Sweden?
Yes! Sweden welcomes couples from all over the world, and the types of marriage in Sweden are limited only by your imagination. However, if you’re travelling to Sweden to get married from outside of the country, there are some marriage laws in Sweden you’ll need to keep in mind before your big day.
American-Hungarian wedding couple getting married in Stockholm City Hall. I loved this wedding!
What Are The Requirements To Get Married In Sweden As A Foreigner?
Fortunately, the types of documents you need to get married in Sweden as a foreigner are not too different from getting married in pretty much any other country. With proper planning, gathering the documents you need can be a pretty streamlined and straightforward process.
In order to get married in Sweden, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:
Birth Certificate:
This is necessary to confirm that you are above 18 years old, the minimum legal marriage age in Sweden.
Valid Passport:
Valid, government-issued identification is essential for travelling in any foreign country, and Sweden is no exception! Make sure your passport is up-to-date, and make plans to renew it if it’s expiring soon.
A Document Affirming You’re Not Already Married:
Sweden requires foreigners planning to get married in the country to present a document confirming that they are not already married. Many countries keep a national marriage registry and can provide an official statement attesting to your unmarried status.
It’s important to note that if you’re from the United States and are planning on getting married in Sweden, the U.S. has no national marriage registry. In some states and counties, the government might be able to issue you something called a “Record Of No Record,” an official document stating that you are currently unmarried. You can look into obtaining a Record Of No Record by checking with your local County Clerk’s Office.
If you find it difficult to obtain such a document, don’t worry. The Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) is aware of these challenges and can often accept alternative documentation if you explain your situation.
Certificate of No Impediment (Hindersprövning)
One of the most important requirements is applying for a Certificate of No Impediment (in Swedish: Hindersprövning). This is issued by the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) and certifies that there are no legal circumstances that disqualify you from getting married in Sweden.
The application is free of charge. Once approved, you’ll receive two documents: one confirming the impediment check and one certificate you must hand over to your officiant before the wedding. The certificate is valid for four months. After your ceremony, your officiant registers the marriage with Skatteverket, and you can then request an official marriage certificate as proof that you are legally married in Sweden.
Depending on your home country, you may also need additional paperwork before Skatteverket can process your application:
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If you live in Sweden: The process is simple – just apply directly through Skatteverket, no extra paperwork from abroad is required.
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If you’re from the United States: Because the U.S. has no national marriage registry, many couples provide a Single Status Affidavit (sometimes notarised with an apostille). If it’s difficult to obtain, Skatteverket can often accept alternative documents – just check with them in advance.
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If you’re from the United Kingdom: You’ll usually need a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) from your local register office before travelling to Sweden, and this may need to be legalised with an apostille.
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If you’re from Germany: German citizens generally need an Ehefähigkeitszeugnis (Certificate of Capacity to Marry) from their local Standesamt to ensure the marriage is recognised both in Sweden and in Germany.
Arrange A Civil Ceremony:
In Sweden, a marriage can be performed either by a civil officiant (appointed by the municipality) or by a religious officiant from a faith community that has been granted the right to perform marriages. Both are legally valid. If you’re planning a Stockholm wedding, I wholeheartedly recommend having your civil ceremony at Stockholm City Hall.
As I mention in my ultimate guide to getting married in Stockholm, City Hall is one of the coolest places in the whole city, and is way more exciting and romantic than the term “city hall” might suggest. You can still have a religious wedding ceremony, or any other personalised wedding ceremony, after the civil ceremony takes place, but in Sweden, this part is necessary for the wedding to be recognized legally.
Stockholm City Hall view from the water. The ceremony takes place in the high tower.
Where Are The Best Places For Foreigners To Get Married In Sweden?
It all depends on what kind of wedding you’re planning! For nature lovers with adventurous spirits, Swedish Lapland, which lies just above the Arctic Circle, is well-known for vast, snowy landscapes, breathtaking mountains, and unforgettable views of the Northern Lights.
If you’re looking to get married in the heart of a modern city, I definitely recommend considering a Stockholm wedding. Stockholm truly offers the best of everything that Sweden has to offer, from gorgeous natural landscapes to historic buildings and ultramodern architecture.
Check out my ultimate guide to getting married in Stockholm for more information on this amazing city. No matter what kind of wedding you’re dreaming of, Stockholm is sure to have what you’re looking for.
Start Planning Your Wedding In Sweden Today!
If you’re planning on traveling to Sweden for your wedding and are looking for a wedding photographer in Stockholm or any other region of this amazing country, then let’s chat!
Get in touch any time and together we can make sure all the dull paperwork is taken care of as soon as possible so that we can get to work doing the fun stuff: Planning the Swedish wedding of your dreams.
September love in Rosendals Terass, Djurgården.