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4 Essential Steps to Successfully Get Married in Sweden: A Comprehensive Guide for Foreigners

ByKaren Roldan
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Planning to get married in Sweden? Look no further than Stockholm City Hall, a stunning venue nestled in the heart of the city, beloved by both Swedish and international couples alike.

In this blog post, I’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to get married in Sweden, specifically at Stockholm City Hall, detailing the necessary documents, the process, and insider tips from our own personal experience.

My now-husband and I chose to have an intimate wedding celebration at Stockholm City Hall. Neither of us is Swedish, and I was the only registered resident in Sweden at the time. We navigated the process to get married n Sweden successfully, and now we’re excited to share our insights with you as you plan your own unforgettable Swedish wedding!

Travel & Accommodation Arrangements

Before you get married in Sweden, you’ll need to plan your journey and find a place to stay. Start by booking your flights to secure the best deals on airfare. After setting your travel dates, look for Stockholm accommodations that suit your needs.

Reaching Stockholm City is a breeze, thanks to its excellent connectivity via multiple airlines. No matter where you’re traveling from, you’ll find it easy to book a flight that whisks you away to the heart of Scandinavia for your plan to get married in Sweden.

You can discover the most affordable way to travel by booking the cheapest flights on Trip.com! Upon arrival at the Stockholm airport, you’ll have various options to travel to Stockholm City.

When it comes to finding the perfect home away from home, Stockholm offers a diverse range of accommodation options to suit every traveler’s taste and budget. To help you make the best choice, I’ve put together a list of my top 3 recommendations:

  • BUDGET: City Backpackers Hostel – Immerse yourself in the local charm without breaking the bank, thanks to numerous cozy and affordable hostels or guesthouses, complete with all the essential amenities for a comfortable stay.
  • MID-RANGE: Generator Stockholm – Indulge in stylish boutique hotels that strike the perfect balance between luxury and affordability, offering exceptional service, modern facilities, and a unique atmosphere that reflects the spirit of Stockholm.
  • LUXURY: Grand Hotel Stockholm – Treat yourself to an opulent experience at one of Stockholm’s finest hotels, where you’ll enjoy world-class amenities, exquisite dining options, and unparalleled views of the city’s stunning landscape.
 

How to Get Married in Sweden – Stockholm City Hall

Quick easy steps on how to get married in Stockholm City Hall

Book a wedding in Stockholm City Hall

Simply book by registering online, or reach out through email or phone.
Email: vigsel@stockholm.se
Phone: +46 8 508 29 330

Apply for a certificate of no impediment (hindersprövning)

You will receive an email from the city hall for further instructions. You can apply for the certificate in Skatteverket no earlier than four months before the wedding date.

Pay the fee of 1000 SEK

You will receive an invoice in your mailbox to pay the ceremony fee.

Submit the documents to Stockholm City Hall

You will receive two documents from Skatteverket that you will need to submit to Stockholm City Hall.

Step-by-step guide on how to get married in Sweden at Stockholm City Hall

Here you will find the nitty-gritty of each step to get married in Sweden. The requirements can vary based on your specific circumstances in Sweden, so, hopefully, this will get you a better idea of the process!

You have the option to make a preliminary booking for your wedding date approximately six months in advance if you’re planning to get married in Sweden. The confirmation will come once the Skatteverket receives your documents.

In case your preferred date to get married in Sweden is already taken, you can choose a different desired wedding day. Ensure the email address you provide is valid as you will be notified if a slot opens up on your preferred date.

There are three ways to book your wedding at Stockholm City Hall:

  1. Via online – https://etjanst.stockholm.se/bokavigsel
  2. Via email – vigsel@stockholm.se
  3. Vie phone – +46 8 508 29 330

Regardless of how you’re booking, you will need to provide the following information:

  • Name
  • Birthdate
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Language of the ceremony and marriage certificate

Swedish law outlines several impediments to marriage, such as age restrictions, kinship, and existing marital or civil partnership statuses. If you plan to get married in Sweden, these are some of the factors you’ll need to consider.

To begin the process to get married in Sweden, you need to fill in a form and submit it to the Swedish Tax Agency well ahead of your wedding date.

In some cases, the right to marry must be assessed according to the laws of a country other than Sweden.

Once the Swedish Tax Agency completes its consideration, you’ll receive two documents by mail:

  • a certificate of no impediment
  • a wedding certificate form

The certificate of no impediment is valid for four months and cannot be extended, so it’s crucial to plan accordingly.

Depending on your status in Sweden, the steps to obtain the certificate of no impediment, necessary to get married in Sweden, vary:

  1. Both of us are listed in the Swedish Population Register.
  2. Only one of us is listed in the Swedish Population Register.
  3. Neither of us is listed in the Swedish Population Register, but at least one of us is a Swedish citizen.
  4. Neither of us is a Swedish citizen or resident.
  5. Neither of us resides in Sweden, but one of us is a citizen of another Nordic country.

For more detailed information, consider visiting the official Skatteverket website to review the steps.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: Only one of us is listed in the Swedish Population Register

If only one of you is registered in Sweden, a personal visit to Skatteverket is required, along with the submission of additional documents.

The processing time is typically around three months. In our case, Miguel was initially planning to arrive just two weeks before our wedding, so learning about the long processing time was certainly concerning.

In response, I reached out to Skatteverket, informed them of Miguel’s travel date, and they allowed us to apply early.

To do this, you’ll need to complete the SKV 7880 form. In the “Other Information” section, specify when you’ll visit Skatteverket.

If you’re a person not registered in Sweden, you’ll have to provide a certificate confirming your civil status and a copy of your passport.

When visiting Skatteverket, you should bring along:

  • the original copy of your Civil Status Certificate (In the Philippines, this is called CENOMAR)
  • your passport
  • completed SKV 7880 application form.

NOTE: All documents from outside Sweden must have an apostille.

In our case, I submitted the SKV 7880 form, along with a copy of Miguel’s CENOMAR and passport, on November 28th.

Then, we made a personal appearance at Skatteverket on February 10th to submit everything. By February 14th, we had already received the documents, including a marriage certificate!

You will receive an invoice in your mailbox to pay the ceremony fee.

Skatteverket will be sending you the certificate of no impediment (hindersprövning) together with the marriage certificate. You will need to submit them to:

Vigslar Stadshuset
105 35 Stockholm

And wait for a confirmation of your wedding ceremony to get married in Sweden!

Insuring Your Journey

Given the importance of your big day, it’s wise to have travel insurance. This provides a safety net against any unexpected incidents. Consider insuring your journey with reliable providers such as World Nomads or SafetyWing.

The Wedding Day

Our wedding day fell on a Saturday, and we were lucky enough to have our ceremony in the Oval Room. As part of the preparations to get married in Sweden, it’s important to arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of your scheduled ceremony, accompanied by your witnesses and guests. If you don’t have any witnesses, don’t fret—the city hall staff can step in.

Reminder: don’t leave your IDs behind! The ceremony itself is brief, lasting under 5 minutes, and you’ll receive your marriage certificate immediately afterward.

Our wedding took place amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, unfortunately limiting the friends and family that could celebrate with us. We even had to call off our small post-wedding celebration due to the circumstances

Here’s a more personal blog post about our wedding in Stockholm during the pandemic!

Exploring Stockholm

Having a worry-free wedding in Sweden is totally doable, all thanks to the simple steps and few documents needed!

By carefully following the tips shared in this post and making sure all your paperwork is ready ahead of time, your Swedish wedding will be easy and quick to officiate.

For foreign couples planning to say ‘I do’ in this magical country, we’re delighted that this blog has been helpful! If you have any questions or worries about how to get married in Sweden, don’t hesitate to reach out!

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Karen Roldan is a passionate explorer, sharing practical guides and personal experiences about living in Sweden, life abroad, and captivating travel stories. Through her blog, she provides invaluable insights and inspiration for navigating the Swedish lifestyle, offering practical tips and immersive tales of cultural exploration.

16 Comments

  1. Hello

    What do you think, is it possible to marry in Sweden if none of the participants are actually swedish? But one is EU-citizen and the other from 3rd country in Europe.

    Reply

  2. Hello

    What do you think, is it possible to marry in Sweden if none of the participants are actually swedish? But one is EU-citizen and the other from 3rd country in Europe.

    Reply

  3. Hi just want to ask if I’m in the Philippines and my boyfriend is in Denmark can we process the certificate of no impediment

    I’ll be leaving Denmark this month and planning to come back after 90 days . While I’m in Philippines can we process the certificate of no impediment around May or June? We need to book an appointment first right to the City Hall right?

    Reply

  4. Hi just want to ask if I’m in the Philippines and my boyfriend is in Denmark can we process the certificate of no impediment

    I’ll be leaving Denmark this month and planning to come back after 90 days . While I’m in Philippines can we process the certificate of no impediment around May or June? We need to book an appointment first right to the City Hall right?

    Reply

  5. Hi, I’m Anel and I would like to talk to you about the problems that a person can have when living abroad, the main one being getting a job and with a good salary, another would be having a decent home and above all adapting to a new future and finding friends although they do not speak the same language, an important point is that discrimination exists abroad and it is very difficult not to find a person who discriminates against you for not belonging there, and I hope this information is useful to you.

    Reply

  6. Hi, I’m Anel and I would like to talk to you about the problems that a person can have when living abroad, the main one being getting a job and with a good salary, another would be having a decent home and above all adapting to a new future and finding friends although they do not speak the same language, an important point is that discrimination exists abroad and it is very difficult not to find a person who discriminates against you for not belonging there, and I hope this information is useful to you.

    Reply

  7. Hi! My partner is a British citizen and is currently working in Stockholm. We are planning to get married when I visit in May, but I’m having a hard time finding the SKV 7880 document in English. I’ve been able to download it in Swedish but neither my partner nor I speak Swedish. I would appreciate any help as we get these documents together!

    Reply

  8. Hi! My partner is a British citizen and is currently working in Stockholm. We are planning to get married when I visit in May, but I’m having a hard time finding the SKV 7880 document in English. I’ve been able to download it in Swedish but neither my partner nor I speak Swedish. I would appreciate any help as we get these documents together!

    Reply

  9. Hej Karen

    Congratulations and thank you for the information. I will move to Sweden very soon and I plan to get married there in July. Would it be possible to register for a marriage with the city hall? How long have you lived in Sweden to be able to register? We are not Swedish and my fiancé is European. Do they accept English or French translated documents or only in Swedish?

    Cheers

    Reply

  10. Thank you for the post. Could you help me with my papers to apply for marriage in Sweden. We will be getting married in Kalix, Sweden. Need to all the paperwork together. We are planning it for around February of 2023.

    Reply

  11. Thank you for the post. Could you help me with my papers to apply for marriage in Sweden. We will be getting married in Kalix, Sweden. Need to all the paperwork together. We are planning it for around February of 2023.

    Reply

  12. Both persons need to visit Skatteverket for submitting the documents or if it is okay that only one person make appearance to Skatteverket? I am asking this question because my girlfriend is not in Sweden and if it is okay that I will do all the documentation and she arrive few days before marriage.

    Reply

    1. In our experience, Skatteverket asked my husband to personally submit the documents. What we did was submit the copy of the documents in advance and we indicated when my husband will be arriving in Sweden. After his personal appearance, we got everything in a week. And got married a month after.

      Reply

  13. Both persons need to visit Skatteverket for submitting the documents or if it is okay that only one person make appearance to Skatteverket? I am asking this question because my girlfriend is not in Sweden and if it is okay that I will do all the documentation and she arrive few days before marriage.

    Reply

    1. In our experience, Skatteverket asked my husband to personally submit the documents. What we did was submit the copy of the documents in advance and we indicated when my husband will be arriving in Sweden. After his personal appearance, we got everything in a week. And got married a month after.

      Reply

  14. Hej Karen
    This is a lovely story and nice description of what to do. Very informative, especially in this special circumstances.
    We are planning of getting married in the near future as well during the pandemic and your listing helped a lot with planning. Especially since we are in a similar situation like you and Miguel were.
    All the best for the future.
    Pascal

    Reply

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