How to Get Married in Sweden as a Foreigner

Legal requirements for foreigners to marry in Sweden

Before planning your wedding, you should confirm if you meet the marriage requirements in Sweden. According to Sweden marriage laws for foreigners, two adults can get married regardless of sex if;

• Both partners are at least 18 years old and entering the marriage voluntarily. 
• Neither partner is currently married or in a civil partnership. 
• The couple isn't closely related by blood. This includes, but is not limited to, Fathers and daughters, and siblings (brothers and sisters). 
• Obtain the certificate of no impediment (hindersprövning), which verifies there are no legal reasons for them not to marry. 
• Obtain a wedding certificate form.
• Provide relevant documents for identity and divorce status (if previously married).
• Provide certified translations of documents not issued in Swedish. 

Here are some exceptions and unique marriage requirements in Sweden 

• If both partners are related in a direct ascending or descending line through adoption, they are also permitted to marry. 
• If both partners are adopted siblings or an adopted child and a child in common with the adoptive parents, the county administrative board may grant permission to marry.
• Half-brothers and half-sisters may be granted permission to marry after applying to the county administrative board (länsstyrelsen).
• If you are not registered as living in Sweden, you must also obtain documentation proving that there is no impediment to you marrying under Sweden marriage laws for foreigners. For example, if you are a British citizen, you must apply for a certificate of no impediment in the UK. 

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Step-by-step guide on how to get married in Sweden 

If you meet the age and sibling requirements for marriage in Sweden, you can start planning your wedding. Here are the steps to follow:

Obtain a certificate of no impediment (hindersprövning) to marry

The first step to marrying in Sweden as a foreigner is applying for consideration if there is no impediment to marriage.  This application is submitted to the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket), after which you will receive a Certificate of No Impediment. 

The document confirms no legal barriers to your marriage in Sweden.  Legal barriers can include being under 18, a blood relative, or being married.

You can apply for the Certificate of No Impediment by filling out the form SKV 7880 (which is in Swedish). Once it's filled out, you can submit it by post to the address stated on the form or in person at the Swedish State Service Centre. 

Document required 

Depending on your circumstances, you will provide supporting documents. They include 

• Valid passport
• Birth certificates 
• Proof of civil status - a certificate of no impediment from your home country 
• Divorce document or death certificate, if previously married 

Once submitted, the Tax Agency will verify your information in about 2–4 weeks. If approved, you will receive two documents at your home address. These include a certificate of no impediment and a wedding certificate form. The certificate of no impediment is valid for 4 months. 

Choose the type of ceremony

In Sweden, couples can choose to have civil or religious wedding ceremonies. Here's an overview of each type of wedding ceremony in Sweden 

Civil ceremony: 

In Sweden, civil ceremonies are conducted by civil officiants for non-religious people. The officiant must be appointed by the County Administrative Board; otherwise, the wedding won't be recognised by Sweden. 

Civil wedding ceremonies in Sweden are held in town halls, municipal venues, or public venues, depending on your preference. You can also choose between a solemn or basic civil wedding. The application for civil wedding ceremonies in Sweden is through the municipal office where you will marry. 

Religious wedding ceremonies in Sweden:

This ceremony is performed within a religious community. This can include Christians, Muslims, or any other religion in Sweden. Additionally, the religious community must have permission from the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency (Kammarkollegiet) to perform marriage ceremonies in Sweden.  

Contact the community to get their marriage requirements in Sweden if you want a religious wedding. This helps you make proper preparations and avoid issues.

Note: You must submit the certificate of no impediment and the wedding certificate form to the marriage officiant before the wedding. After the wedding, they will fill out the form and send it to the Swedish Tax Office. 

Book the ceremony

You can schedule your wedding ceremony when the certificate of no impediment (hindersprövning) is obtained. Contact the local municipality or religious institution to book a date and officiant. You will have to pay the required officiant fee and choose your location. Also, ensure all the required documents are provided to the wedding officiant early to avoid delays in your marriage application in Sweden. 

Attend the ceremony

Sweden marriage laws require both parties to be present on the wedding day. You will also need two witnesses for the marriage to be legal in Sweden. After the ceremony, the officiant will fill out the marriage certificate form and send it to the Swedish Tax Agency. 

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Certified translation for documents to marry in Sweden

You will need certified translation services in Sweden if your documents are not in Swedish or English. Submitting translated documents ensures you meet all requirements of the Sweden marriage process. It also removes the language barrier, allowing authorities to verify your information easily. However, you cannot translate the document yourself or use online tools like DeepL. 

All documents must be translated by a certified translator recognised by Swedish authorities to ensure validity. The certified translation includes a translated document and a certificate of accuracy attesting to the authenticity. 

How can Translayte help with your documents?

At Translayte, we've helped thousands get certified translation services for official and legal documents. With a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot from over 9000 customer reviews, we help you by providing: 

• Certified translation accepted by the Swedish Tax Agency, embassy, courts, and immigration offices 
• Professional translator with experience translating documents for the Sweden marriage process 
• Fast turnaround time - 12 to 24 hours - with expedited delivery options.
• Seamless online ordering process with multiple document formats 
• Competitive translation rates - start from $25 per page - with no hidden charges 
• 24/7 multilingual customer support services via WhatsApp, email, and live chat

Request a free quote to get certified translation services in Sweden for the marriage process. 

Choosing between civil and religious ceremonies

A Swedish marriage can be civil or religious. The decision on which marriage ceremony type to choose depends on your preferences. However, if you aren't sure, here are some pointers to help you decide 

Civil ceremony 

Choose a civil marriage ceremony in Sweden if you:

• Want a quick and straightforward Sweden marriage process without elaborate planning 
• Are non-religious 
• Want a wedding at a city hall or municipal office 
• Are on a tight budget and want to reduce costs
• Prefer fewer wedding requirements for marrying in Sweden as a foreigner 

Religious ceremony

Choose a religious marriage ceremony in Sweden if :

• Are religious
• Want the faith and cultural traditions in your wedding 
• Want the ceremony held in a church, mosque, or religious venue 
• Want a more personalised and intimate experience 
• Can provide extra documents if required 
• Don't mind attending counselling and other meetings before the wedding.

Best wedding locations in Sweden

If you are planning your destination wedding in Sweden, there are many spots to consider. Here are some of the best places to marry in Sweden:

• Stockholm City Hall: This is an Iconic venue for civil ceremonies.
• Gothenburg's Archipelago: Ideal for couples who want a peaceful island vibe and sea views 
• Lapland: This venue is great if you want a magical-themed wedding under the Northern lights 
• Gotland: It's a great location if you want your wedding to have a historic and  medieval feeling

You can explore other wedding venues in Sweden or contact a professional wedding planner for recommendations if you aren't in Sweden. 

Post-wedding formalities

After your marriage in Sweden, there are a few things you should do or confirm

Registration of the marriage with Skatteverket

You don't have to register the marriage yourself in Sweden. The officiant will fill out the marriage certificate form and send it to the Swedish Tax Agency. This serves as the final step in the marriage registration process. Sweden doesn't have a standard marriage certificate like in other countries. The closest equivalent is a document extract of the population register.

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Changing your name

In Sweden, you can change your surname to your spouse's or use a double-barrelled surname (both surnames) after marriage. To do so, you must apply to the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) by submitting the form SKV 7502 before or during the marriage. 

The processing time is mostly within 2 weeks. If you intend to travel immediately after your wedding, you should start the change of name application process earlier to avoid delays. 

You must also update your identity documents, passport, and visa to reflect the new name. 

Updating marital status in home country records

If you aren't a Swedish citizen, you might have to notify your home country of your marriage status. The requirements vary between countries. You might have to provide proof of marriage and other details at your embassy in Sweden or the relevant authorities in your country. 

Recommended Reading 

How to Get Married in The USA as a Foreigner

Tips for a smooth Sweden wedding experience

Here are some tips to help you have a seamless wedding process in Sweden 

• Start planning early to allow yourself enough time for application and other documentation. 
• Verify the country-specific requirements for marriage in Sweden. This will ensure that you have all the relevant documents and can marry in Sweden. 
• Get a certified translation from an authorised translator or company to avoid rejection. 
• Get help from a local marriage consultant or event planner to ensure a smooth and memorable experience. 
• Verify the validity of your immigration document, especially if you are travelling to Sweden for the wedding. 
• Inform the marriage officiant early and submit any documents to avoid delays. 

Conclusion

Getting married in Sweden as a foreigner isn't impossible. However, you must follow the legal requirements for Sweden's marriage process and provide the necessary documents. If you follow the steps in this article, you should have a seamless destination wedding in Sweden. 

Get a certified translation of a Sweden marriage registration document. Request a quote for accurate and fast document translation services.