What is required to get married in Iceland as a foreigner
How to Get Married in Iceland as a Foreigner
Hi, I’m Lisa. Local Iceland elopement photographer
There are multiple ways to do your elopement ceremony, as there are places to get married.
Not sure which ceremony type fits you best — or what actually works smoothly in Iceland’s weather + locations?
I help couples choose the ceremony style that feels the most meaningful and practical for their day.
Different types of ceremonies to have on your elopement day.
Intimate ceremony. This is usually used to mean that at the ceremony, your parents, siblings, or only your best friends are 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. You will out the paperwork back in your home country, get legally married there, but have a ceremony in Iceland.
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.
Asatru ceremony. Old Norse ceremony, where you get to do handfasting and drink from the horns.
Choosing a ceremony type isn’t just emotional — it also affects your timeline, access, travel plan and what locations actually work.
On our call, we’ll narrow down which ceremony style matches YOUR vision, comfort level and adventure.
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?
Step 1: Find an officiant
If your planning to legally get married in Iceland, my biggest advice is to first find an officiant to marry you. Besides getting legally married in Iceland, it will be so much easier for the two of you to have an officiant in your corner and to ask about the paperwork that is needed and to have reminders of the deadlines.
Step 2: Needed paperwork
The paperwork does vary with every country, and it’s good to check first on what is required with your nationality. With many nationalitie’s there are mainly the following requirements:
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.
You both need to have valid passports (If you are outside of EEA/EFTA, you might need to apply for a visa to visit Iceland)
Your birth certificates
Step 3: Apply through Sýslumaður
The documents are good to submit around 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.
Step 4: Get legally married in Iceland.
Your officiant will submit all the paperwork for you, this is something you can’t do yourself.
Get married in Iceland!
It takes around 2-3 weeks for you to get back your certificate.
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.
Ready to start planning your Iceland elopement?
Whether you want a glacier ceremony, a black sand beach vow exchange, a secret canyon adventure, or something more intimate — I’ll help you choose the perfect location + ceremony style + timeline so your day feels wildly YOU.
