Information on getting married in Ribe – the Municipality of Esbjerg
Please note that it may take up to two weeks to process the required paperwork.
All documents must be submitted in both the original language and in translation. This does not apply, however, to documents in German or English.
The documents must be translated by an authorised translator.
List of necessary documents (all documents to be submitted by both parties):
- Valid passport and visa if required
If you are a citizen of a country outside the Schengen area but are living in a Schengen country, you must produce a residence permit. If you are a citizen of a non-Schengen country and reside outside the Schengen area, you must have an entry stamp in your passport that is no more than three months old.
- Birth certificate and any documents pertaining to name changes
- Documentation on current residence and marital status
The documentation must include your name, your address for the past year as a minimum, your date of birth and your current marital status. If you are not a citizen of the country in which you currently reside, the same documents from your native country must be produced. These documents must not be more than four months old.
- Divorce decree/death certificate
If one or both parties have been married previously, you must submit the relevant divorce decree/death certificate.
If these documents were not issued in Europe, the United States, Canada, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Australia or New Zealand, they must be legalised/certified by Apostille – please see the relevant procedure below.
Divorce decrees must be legally certified. Thai divorce decrees/death certificates need only be certified by the Danish or German consular representation in Bangkok.
Legalisation:
Endorsement by the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country in question, and by the Danish consular representation of the country.
Apostille:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country in question.
For American and British soldiers
American and British soldiers who are stationed in Germany must, instead of the documents showing their current address, marital status and passport, bring a so-called “Request and authority of leave” and their military ID.
Age requirements
Both parties must be aged 18 or over.
Interpreter
The registration process and the actual marriage ceremony may be performed in German or English. If either party does not understand German or English, an approved interpreter must be present when you register as well as during the marriage ceremony.
We are happy to assist you if you need help finding an interpreter.
Interpreters may not be available on Saturdays. No financial assistance will be provided to cover the cost of an interpreter. These costs are extra and must be met by the parties themselves.
Registration
You must register in person between 09.00–12.00 on Tuesdays for marriage ceremonies scheduled to take place on Thursdays, or on Wednesdays between 09.00–12.00 for marriage ceremonies scheduled to take place on Fridays/Saturdays.
Wedding Denmark will be delighted to help you find the ideal accommodation for you.
Original documents or verified copies must be submitted.
The documents will subsequently be examined, and you will be expected to remain in the municipality while the paperwork is processed.
If the documentation is not sufficient, the marriage ceremony cannot take place. Wedding Denmark will be happy to provide you with the necessary assistance to make your dream come true!
Name changes
Name changes cannot be made in connection with the marriage ceremony.
Please send all the necessary documents to:
Wedding Denmark
Fanningers Allé 3
DK-6760 Ribe
Denmark
Or e-mail us at: rita@weddingdenmark.com – a reply will be sent within 24 hours.
Booking fee:
Once we have received your documents and your booking fee of 230 Euro, the documents will be examined. Once the documents have been approved, we will contact you to arrange a suitable week for your wedding and for you to register in person in either Ribe or Tønder(where you have to bring all your original documents) Shortly after, you will receive information from us regarding your travel and a detailed plan for your wedding day, as well as any information regarding bookings, etc.
Please note the surnames of the bride and groom on the money transfer, and transfer the booking fee of 230 Euro.
The remainder must be paid into our bank account no later than 14 days before the wedding.
For bank transfers:
Name: Wedding Denmark
Skjern Bank: Registration no.: 7780, Account no.: 0002082782
IBAN: DK9377800002082782
BIC/SWIFT: SKJBDK22RIB
For further information please contact us by:
Mobile: +45 24 27 01 44 – we speak Danish, German and English.