Key takeaways
- A previous marriage is no obstacle in Denmark, as long as you can prove it has legally ended.
- Divorced applicants usually need the final divorce decree, not an interim order, often with an apostille and a translation.
- Widows and widowers usually provide the late spouse's death certificate and, where asked, the earlier marriage certificate.
- Divorces granted outside your home country, or by religious rather than civil authorities, may need extra documents.
- Our consultants pre-check every paper before submission, which is what makes approval in as little as five business days possible.
Can you marry in Denmark after divorce?
Yes. You can marry in Denmark after divorce, and the same applies if you are a widow or widower. Danish law only asks that neither partner is still married on the wedding day, so a past marriage simply means one more set of papers in your application.
The Danish Agency of Family Law, Familieretshuset, reviews every application from couples who live abroad. For someone who has been married before, it wants to see two things: that the marriage existed, and that it has been brought to a legal end by divorce, annulment or death.
There is no residency requirement and no extra fee for a second marriage. The authority fee, known as the AFL fee, is €282 for every couple, whatever their history.
What proof of divorce do you need?
You usually need the final divorce decree issued by the court or authority that ended your marriage. The word final matters: many countries issue an interim order first and the final decision later, and only the final one shows that the marriage has ended.
- The final divorce decree, judgment or certificate, showing the date it took effect
- In some cases, the earlier marriage certificate that the divorce refers to
- An apostille on the decree, if your country is part of the Apostille Convention
- A certified translation if the decree is not in a language the authority accepts
- Proof of any name change linked to the marriage or the divorce
Different countries call the final document by different names, from a final order or absolute decree to a certificate of divorce issued by a registry. We read your paper with you and confirm whether it is the one Familieretshuset is likely to accept.
More than one previous marriage
If you have been married more than once, the authority usually focuses on the most recent marriage and how it ended. Depending on your history and your documents, it may also ask about earlier ones, so have the papers for each marriage within reach.
For the wider picture, read our guide to the documents needed to marry in Denmark.
Which papers do widows and widowers need?
Widows and widowers usually provide the death certificate of their late spouse, and often the marriage certificate from that marriage. Together these show that the marriage existed and that it ended when your spouse died.
As with a divorce decree, foreign certificates may need an apostille and, if they are not in an accepted language, a certified translation. Some couples also find that the authority asks a short question about how the earlier estate was settled, especially where property was shared. Your checklist tells you if anything like this applies.
We know these documents can be painful to request and handle. Our consultants deal with them carefully and only ask for what is genuinely needed. Having one calm person handle the paperwork can make the whole process feel lighter.
Which documents fit your situation?
The table gives the usual starting point for the most common histories. It is a guide, not a promise: your personal checklist confirms the exact list for your nationalities and circumstances.
| Your situation | Documents usually requested | Points to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Divorced by a civil court | Final divorce decree, sometimes the earlier marriage certificate | Make sure the decree is final, not interim |
| Marriage annulled or declared void | Court decision, often annotated on the marriage record | Some countries record the annulment on the civil register |
| Divorced in another country | Foreign decree, sometimes proof it is recognised at home | Recognition rules differ between countries |
| Religious divorce only | Civil proof that the marriage has ended | A religious decision alone may not be enough |
| Widowed | Death certificate, often the earlier marriage certificate | Order the certificate where the death was registered |
| Ended registered partnership | Proof of dissolution of the partnership | Treated in a similar way to a divorce |
Apostilles, where needed, come from the authorities of the country that issued the document. If your paperwork comes from several countries, we help you put the steps in a sensible order.
What if you divorced in a different country?
A divorce granted outside your country of citizenship is common for couples who have lived abroad, and it can usually be documented. The question is whether the divorce is recognised, both in Denmark and in your own country, so that every record agrees the marriage has ended.
Familieretshuset may look at where and how the divorce was granted. A decision from a court is usually straightforward. An administrative divorce, a divorce by agreement registered with an office, or a religious divorce may need more explanation or an additional document.
Countries without general divorce
In a few countries, including the Philippines, there is no general divorce law, and a divorce granted abroad may need to be recognised by a local court before the civil register shows it. Our guide for Filipino couples explains this in more detail.
If your history spans several countries, send us everything you have. We will tell you honestly what we expect the authority to ask for, and where an answer can only come from the authority itself.
What if your name changed during or after the marriage?
Names that changed with a marriage or a divorce are a common reason for questions in an application. If your passport shows one surname and your divorce decree or earlier marriage certificate shows another, the authority needs a paper trail that connects them.
- A marriage certificate that shows the name you took on marrying
- A divorce decree or name change document that shows when you returned to an earlier name
- A deed poll, court order or registry record if you changed your name separately
Plan ahead for your new marriage too. If you want to take your partner's surname or create a double name, read our guide to changing your name after marrying in Denmark before the ceremony.
Does a previous marriage slow down a Danish wedding?
Not necessarily. A complete, correct file can be approved in as little as five business days, whether or not you have been married before. What adds time is usually gathering documents: ordering a decree from a court archive, getting an apostille or arranging a translation.
- List every previous marriage or partnership for both of you.
- Request the final decree or death certificate for each one, plus earlier marriage certificates.
- Check names and dates against your passports.
- Arrange apostilles and translations where they are needed.
- Send scans to our consultants for a pre-check.
- Submit to Familieretshuset, then book your ceremony after approval.
Court archives can take a while to answer, so start this part early. Our guide on how long it takes to get married in Denmark shows where the time usually goes.
How can you make a second wedding feel right?
A second wedding is often calmer and more personal than a first, and Denmark suits that well. Ceremonies are short and civil, and you choose how many people join you.
- Keep it to the two of you with an elopement in Copenhagen
- Bring children and close family for a small wedding with guests in Copenhagen
- Marry in the historic hall of Copenhagen City Hall
- Choose a quieter island ceremony on Ærø and stay a few days
- Ask grown-up children or old friends to be your two witnesses
Witnesses usually need to be adults who can show ID on the day, so younger children can take part in other ways: carrying the rings, reading a short line after the ceremony or joining the first photos. Our article on wedding witnesses in Denmark explains the role in detail.
What should you update after your new marriage?
After the ceremony you receive a Danish marriage certificate, which can be issued in Danish, English, German, French or Spanish. For use abroad it can receive an apostille from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and most countries register the marriage on that basis.
A second marriage often touches more parts of life than a first. Pensions, insurance, wills and property arrangements may all refer to your marital status, and some of them may still name a former spouse or reflect your time as a widow or widower.
- Register the marriage with your home authorities if your country expects it
- Update beneficiaries on pensions and life insurance
- Review wills and any arrangements made after the divorce or bereavement
- Tell banks, employers and tax offices about any change of name or status
- Keep the apostilled certificate together with your earlier decree or death certificate
These steps depend on your country, and some may call for advice from a local lawyer or adviser. Our guides to the apostille on a Danish marriage certificate and to next steps after the wedding in Denmark explain the Danish side.
Ready to marry again in Denmark?
Start by telling us your nationalities, your dates and a short outline of any previous marriages. Within 24 hours you receive a free personal checklist that lists the exact papers to gather, in the right order.
Our packages cost €290 for Essential, €690 for Complete, €1,190 for Priority and €1,590 for Premium, with tax and 25% VAT included. The €282 AFL fee is included in every package except Essential. Compare them on our packages page or contact our team to talk through your situation in confidence.
Written by the Denmark Wedding team in Copenhagen. Published 10 July 2026. Questions? Ask us directly.
