What is required to get married in Iceland.
Different types of ceremonies to have on your elopement day.
There are multiple ways to do your elopement ceremony as there are places to get married.
Just us. This is usually what elopement ceremonies are all about: just you two there and all the moments will be shared by you two. No guests or family members were there. The ceremony is still official for you to get legally married.
Intimate ceremony. This is usually used in the meaning that in the ceremony there can be your parents, siblings or only your best friends involved. If you feel nervous about sharing your vows with your partner in front of your family, you can have a separate moment where you share them and then the moment when your family attends.
Symbolic marriage. The simplest way to get married. Eloping can happen anywhere. A symbolic ceremony is in most places not legally recognized so you will need an officiant to officiate you as a married couple.
Civil ceremony. Usually happens in a courthouse and you will sign the register. You will mostly need witnesses (usually two) to sign the register.
Religious ceremony. If you wish to have a religious ceremony abroad, it’s good to start by contacting your local with necessary requirements. They can have recommendations from the church to get married.
Hand-fasting. It's an ancient Irish tradition, where the couple's hands are tied together as a symbol of their union. The celebrant ties the couple’s hands together with several ribbons.
Unity ceremony: are symbols of the choice you're making to merge your life with your partner. There can be unity candles, planting a tree together, or combining two different drinks into one.
How to make your marriage official in Iceland.
One of the most asked questions is:
Can a foreigner get married in Iceland? The answer is yes.
However, there are some laws on getting married there and paperwork to be filled. So what do you need to know if you want to elope in Iceland? You and your partner need to be at least 18 years old. If your partner has been married before, you need to deliver divorce papers.
The documents are good to submit around 3-4 weeks before your big day and you can email them.
The documents you need to have and send them 3-4 weeks before the wedding.
Marriage notification from Hjónavígsluskýrsla District of Magistrate in Reykjavík. This form needs to be filled out and signed by both of you plus two witnesses ( I have been sometimes as one!)
“Notifications of marriage ceremonies are received from heads of religious associations or their representatives, priests or district commissioners to be registered in the National Registry” is written on the Iceland registry website.
The birth certificates of both parties are attached to the Marriage application form. Originals can be returned after the wedding ceremony.
Only originals or officially authorized (stamp or seal) are accepted.
Certificate of marital status, that needs to be issued within 8 weeks prior to the wedding date. This document is also referred to as a CNI or "no impediments" in some countries
A divorce decree, if either party is divorced. If the bride/groom is a widower, a document detailing the estate of the deceased has been divided/finalized.
Valid passports of both parties and possible visas. You can check from here if you will be needing a visa. This is super important so you can officially stay in the country and get married.
Airline ticket (showing entry/exit of the country)
Passport copy of trustworthy person 1
Passport copy of trustworthy person 2
If documents do not arrive within this timeframe, the marriage is considered canceled.
Also:
All documents must be handed in as the original paperwork and not a photocopy.
Your birth certificates and other original certificates handed in can be picked up after the wedding ceremony.
After the ceremony, it is possible to obtain your marriage certificate in English.
Same-sex marriages have been allowed in Iceland since 2010 and the LGBTQ+ culture in Iceland is thriving. Iceland was one of the first countries that allowed same-sex marriage. Many same-sex couples travel to Iceland to get married since getting married in their home countries isn't allowed.
IF THE PARTNERS ARE CITIZENS OF DENMARK, SWEDEN, NORWAY OR FINLAND OR RESIDING IN THESE COUNTRIES, PARTIALLY DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS APPLY
Citizens of Denmark, Sweden, Norway or Finland are required to present a certificate from their country, to confirm that there are no impediments to marriage. "Hjónavígsluskýrsla" (1.) and passports (7.) must be presented, but the documents mentioned under items 2., 3., 4., 5. and 6 are not required. A resident of Denmark, Sweden, Norway or Finland may, in the same way, submit such a certificate issued in their country of residence, confirming that there are no impediments to marriage.
In Sweden, the required document is "Intyg hindersprövning" or "Marriage licence" issued by "Skatteverket".
In Denmark, the required document is "Ægteskabsattest" or "Certificate of marital status" issued by "Kommunen".
In Norway, the required document is "Prøvingsattest" or "Certificate of no impediment to marriage" issued by "Folkeregister"
In Finland, the required document is "Intyget över prövning av hinder"/"Certificate of the examination of the impediments to marriage" issued by "maistraatti / magistraten"