A romantic wedding in Iceland... the stuff that dreams are made of! If you are planning on getting married in Iceland, there are several legal hoops to jump through. The key to success, as always, is good research and preparation.
Always check with your embassy well in advance for up-to-date requirements. Many embassies recommend that you arrange your Icelandic wedding through a professional agency, but here are some guidelines if you choose to do-it-yourself.
Documents
The following documents will be required:
- Passports
- Birth certificates (confirming both parties are over 18 years of age)
- Evidence of termination of all previous marriages (original or certified copies of final divorce decrees, annulment decrees or death certificates - confirmed by the Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs)
- Confirmation from the Directorate of Immigration (Útlendingastofnun) that the foreigner getting married is legally present in Iceland
- Marriage application (Hjónavígsluskýrsla)
- Certificates of marital status
Marriage Application (Hjónavígsluskýrsla) - Two witnesses, at least 18 years of age, who know the parties must sign the application stating that the couple is eligible to marry.
Certificates of Marital Status - Both parties must provide certificates from their local Registry Offices (less than 4 weeks old). United States citizens may present affidavits sworn before a notary public in lieu of a certificate of marital status.
All documents must be originals endorsed with an Apostille Stamp. On his website, the District Commissioner of Reykjavík indicates that he prefers foreign documents for civil marriage to be in English.
Civil Ceremonies
You must apply to the commissioner/magistrate (sýslumaður) of the appropriate district, and requirements vary slightly from district to district.
Documents must be submitted at least two weeks before the intended date of marriage and should be faxed to the sýslumaður. Remember to bring the originals to the sýslumaður on the day of the wedding, or preferably two days beforehand.
Civil marriages may be conducted in English. Witnesses need not appear at the ceremony, but they must have signed the Hjónavígsluskýrsla.
For further information, please contact:
Sýslumaðurinn
Skógarhlíð 6
150 Reykjavík
Phone: 569 24 00
Religious Ceremonies
Clergymen of registered religious organizations, recognized by the Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs, may perform religious marriage ceremonies. It is the responsibility of the official or clergyman presiding over the ceremony to insure that all legal requirements for marriage have been fulfilled.
For further information, please contact:
Ministry of Justice
Arnarhvoll
Reykjavík
Phone: 560 90 10
The Dean of Reykjavík (West)
Hallgrimskirkja, Skolavörduholti
101 Reykjavík
Phone: 510 10 00
The Dean of Reykjavík (East)
Arbaejarkirkja, Rofabae
110 Reykjavík
Phone: 587 24 05
Marriage Certificate
Marriage certificates, issued in English, can be obtained after the ceremony from Iceland Statistics (Hagstofa Islands).
For further information, please contact:
Hagstofa Íslands
Borgartúni 24
105 Reykjavík
Phone: 569 29 00
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