Iceland is undoubtedly one of the most incredible and special places in the world to get married. Just imagine for a moment saying "I do" to your partner in front of a glacier or surrounded by lava fields, waterfalls, cliffs, northern lights... INCREDIBLE, right?
But in this post we will not talk about landscapes or beautiful places to get married. (If you are looking for a list of the best places in Iceland to get married you can take a look here). In this post we will deal with a star topic that all the couples who consider getting married in Iceland ask me at some point. Is it possible to legally get married in Iceland if your are from another country?
Of course! In fact, getting married in Iceland is quite simple. Also, unlike some countries, same-sex marriage is entirely welcome. If you're wondering how to legally get married in Iceland, then this step-by-step guide will help you do your own paperwork. I will tell you all the documents you will need and I will also leave you a list below with the links to the official pages of the Icelandic government and other information of interest. Let's go!
Can I do the paperwork myself to get married in Iceland legally?
Of course. This post is designed so that you can do it all yourself. Following all the steps will be very simple and you just have to contact giftingerlendis@syslumenn.is or skra@skra.is if you have any questions. If even with this step-by-step guide, this topic is too stressful for you, I recommend that you hire the services of a local wedding planner, they will help you by doing all the paperwork for you. Another option that many couples choose (who don't want to deal with all the paperwork in a language that is not their own) is to have a symbolic ceremony. This means that you legally get married in your own country and simply travel to Iceland to celebrate and say your vows to your loved one there.
How much does a civil ceremony in Iceland cost?
A civil ceremony in Iceland costs around $80 on a weekday, held at the civil registry. If you prefer to hire the services of an officiant to do it in the middle of nature, the cost can go between $400 - 800$ aprox. However, the price is usually personalized and may vary depending on the location you choose. Most officiants and vendors live in Reykjavík, therefore, the further away from the capital, the more expensive travel costs become.
If a civil ceremony in nature isn't what you're looking for, we'd be happy to recommend some of our favorite officiants we've worked with. Pagan, humanist, Christian or any other religious ceremonies.
Legal requirements to get married in Iceland
To get married in Iceland you must be 18 years or older and you cannot be married to another person. In addition, you also have to be able to prove that you are in Iceland legally (with the plane tickets it is enough).
Before showing you the list of legal documents that you will need, you should know that they must all be translated into Icelandic or English by a sworn translator (you can find them online) and that you must present all the original documentation, plus the translations, at least three weeks before the wedding date. Our recommendation is that you send it as soon as possible, since if any document is missing or there is an error in the documentation, you will have time to correct it and send it again.
Documents needed to get married in Iceland
Marriage notification - (filled out by the couple and the officiant, you can download the document here)
Birth certificates of both
Civil Status Certificate with Apostille Seal - (this certificate must not be older than 12 weeks before the wedding date)
Divorce decree (if you have been married before)
Valid passports (both parties)
Airline tickets (proof of entry and exit)
Our general recommendation is that you do everything well in advance to be able to rectify in time in case you are missing any document. Original copies of these documents can be sent by post or delivered in person when you arrive in Iceland, at least 5 days before the wedding.
We hope that all this information has been helpful to you and above all, keep in mind that legal requirements may change, so we also recommend you contact the civil registry in Iceland to make sure that everything you send is correct and to resolve all your doubts.
Once married you can request your marriage certificate at the National Registry:
Þjóðskrá (The National Registry Office)
Borgartun 24
105 Reykjavik
Iceland
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