From marriage licence paperwork and rules for foreign citizens to ceremony options and Norwegian wedding traditions, here鈥檚 what couples planning a wedding in Norway need to know.
With dramatic fjords, historic churches and landscapes ranging from sandy beaches to snow-covered mountains, Norway can provide a memorable setting for a wedding.
But whether you live in Norway or are planning a destination wedding from overseas, there is paperwork to complete before you can legally marry in the country.
The Norwegian Tax Administration oversees the process. That may sound like an unusual responsibility for a tax authority, but it also manages Norway鈥檚 National Population Register.
Before the ceremony can take place, the Tax Administration must confirm that the couple meets the legal conditions for marriage and issue a marriage licence, known in Norwegian as a 辫谤酶惫颈苍驳蝉补迟迟别蝉迟.
Here鈥檚 how the process works, along with some ceremony options and Norwegian wedding traditions you may encounter.
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Who Can Get Married in Norway?
Norwegian law permits two people to marry regardless of their sex. Both must be at least 18 years old, entering the marriage voluntarily and free to marry. Neither person can already be married or in a registered partnership. There are also restrictions on marriage between close relatives.
Since January 2025, these include cousins and people more closely related than cousins, although the County Governor can grant an exemption in limited circumstances.
If a previous marriage ended through divorce or death, additional documentation concerning the end of the marriage and division of the former matrimonial estate may be required.
Foreign nationals must be lawfully present in Norway at the time of the marriage. Crucially, this does not mean that both people must live in Norway. Tourists and other non-residents can legally marry here, provided they meet the conditions and submit the necessary documentation.
Same-Sex Marriage in Norway
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Norway since 2009, when a gender-neutral marriage law came into force. Norway had previously allowed same-sex couples to enter registered partnerships from 1993.
The Church of Norway鈥檚 General Synod voted in 2016 to create a marriage liturgy for same-sex couples. The new liturgy was approved in January 2017 and same-sex church weddings began shortly afterwards.
Today, same-sex couples can choose between civil, Church of Norway and other authorised religious or humanist ceremonies, subject to the rules and availability of the individual organisation.
The First Step: Apply for a Marriage Licence
Everyone planning to marry under Norwegian law must for a marriage licence.
The application establishes that there are no legal obstacles to the marriage. Once issued, the licence is valid for four months, so the timing of the application needs to be coordinated with the wedding date.
Each partner must complete a personal declaration. In addition, each person needs a sponsor, known in Norwegian as a forlover, who confirms that the couple is legally able to marry.
The sponsors must be at least 18 years old and the couple cannot act as sponsors for one another. Despite sometimes being translated as 鈥渨itness鈥�, the sponsor does not have to be one of the people who witnesses the ceremony itself.
Couples can apply online when both partners and both sponsors have Norwegian national identity numbers and can log in using BankID or another accepted electronic ID. Otherwise, the application can be made using paper forms.
Applications requiring manual processing can take several weeks, while the verification of foreign documents may take longer. Check the Tax Administration鈥檚 and begin gathering overseas documents well in advance.
The Simpler Application Route
The most straightforward route applies when both people fall into one or more of the following categories:
- Norwegian citizens
- Foreign citizens with permanent residence permits
- People with refugee status who have been granted asylum
- EEA citizens with a permanent right of residence
- Nordic citizens resident in Norway
These couples generally follow the same application process as two Norwegian citizens.
That does not necessarily mean no supporting documentation will be needed. Anyone previously married must normally submit a declaration concerning the division of the former matrimonial estate, while Norwegian citizens living abroad may need to document their marital status in their country of residence.
Additional Documents for Foreign Citizens
If one or both partners do not qualify for the simpler route, additional paperwork will normally be required.
The exact documents depend on citizenship, residence and marital history, but foreign applicants should expect to provide some combination of the following:
- Proof of name, age and citizenship
- A certificate from their home country confirming that there is no legal impediment to the marriage
- Proof of civil status from their current country of residence, if different from their country of citizenship
- Proof of lawful stay in Norway
- Documentation relating to a previous marriage, divorce or death of a former spouse
- Certified translations of documents not issued in English or a Nordic language
The foreign certificate confirming that the person is free to marry must generally be an original document, no more than four months old and apostilled or legalised. If the country does not issue certificates of no impediment, other official evidence of civil status may be accepted.
Electronic copies of original overseas certificates are not accepted. Supporting documents must be sent by post, even if the main application is completed online.
Requirements vary substantially between countries, so applicants should follow the Tax Administration鈥檚 current聽.
Previous Marriages and Foreign Divorces
Anyone who has previously been married will normally need to complete a declaration concerning the division of the former matrimonial estate.
If the divorce was granted outside Norway, it may first need to be recognised by the County Governor. An exception generally applies to divorces granted in another Nordic country when both former spouses were Nordic citizens and resident in a Nordic country at the time.
Recognition of a foreign divorce is a separate process, so this can add considerable time to a marriage application. It is best dealt with before making firm arrangements for the wedding.
Receiving the Marriage Licence
Once the application has been approved, the marriage licence is normally sent to both partners through Altinn. Those who do not use Norway鈥檚 digital services receive it by post.
The couple is responsible for forwarding the licence to the authorised person who will conduct the ceremony. A wedding cannot legally take place without a valid licence.
Both partners must attend the ceremony in person, provide valid identification and declare in front of the officiant that they wish to marry each other. At least two witnesses must be present.
Afterwards, the officiant must notify the Tax Administration of the marriage within three days. Once it is registered in the National Population Register, both spouses receive confirmation. A formal paper marriage certificate can be ordered separately if required.
Where Can You Get Married in Norway?
A civil ceremony is often the simplest option. Responsibility for civil weddings rests with Norway鈥檚 municipalities, so couples should contact the relevant local authority to ask about dates, locations, languages, witnesses and fees.
Many municipalities conduct ceremonies at the town or city hall. Some allow ceremonies elsewhere, including hotels or outdoor locations, but this depends on the municipality and the availability of an authorised officiant. Extra fees may apply, especially for ceremonies outside normal hours or municipal buildings.
Church weddings remain popular, particularly in rural Norway. According to the , a wedding in the couple鈥檚 local church is free when at least one partner is a member. Fees may apply when using another church or bringing in musicians and other additional services.
Historic wooden churches can provide especially attractive settings, but access varies.
Some stave churches remain active parish churches, while others are museums or protected heritage attractions with strict limits on their use. Couples should contact the parish or property owner long before making plans.
Norway also has authorised religious and belief communities that can conduct legal marriages, including Humanist ceremonies arranged through the .
For a wedding in a remote fjord, on a mountaintop or at another unconventional location, it may be easier to complete the legal ceremony at a town hall and hold a separate symbolic ceremony at the chosen location. This removes the need to bring an authorised officiant to a difficult or weather-dependent venue.
Norwegian Wedding Traditions
At first glance, a Norwegian wedding may seem familiar to visitors from Britain, the United States or elsewhere in Europe. There will often be a formal dinner, speeches, cake and a first dance.
Yet a few traditions may surprise first-time guests.
Speeches are a major part of many Norwegian weddings. Rather than delivering them all together after dinner, the toastmaster usually spreads them between courses.
There may be speeches from the couple, parents, best man, chief bridesmaid and other family members or friends. The final contribution is traditionally a takk for maten speech thanking the hosts for the meal.
The number and order of speeches are far less rigid than they once were, but guests should still prepare for dinner to last several hours.
Another well-known custom begins when guests tap their cutlery against their glasses. This is a signal for the newlyweds to stand and kiss. Stamping feet on the floor can prompt them to kiss beneath the table instead.
At some weddings, when one spouse leaves the room, guests queue up to give the remaining spouse a kiss on the cheek. As with most wedding customs, the details vary between families and not every Norwegian wedding includes them.
Traditional Norwegian clothing can also make an appearance. Some people choose to marry in a bunad, while guests may wear their regional costumes, particularly when the celebration has a strong connection to a particular part of Norway.
Kransekake, a tall tower of almond-based cake rings, is another common sight. It may be served alongside a more conventional wedding cake rather than replacing it entirely.
Getting Married Abroad
Norwegian residents and citizens can also marry overseas under either Norwegian or foreign law.
A limited number of Norwegian embassies and Norwegian Church Abroad locations are authorised to conduct weddings under Norwegian law. Not every embassy or overseas church offers this service, so couples must confirm availability directly with the location.
When marrying under foreign law, the authorities in that country determine which documents are required. They may request a Norwegian certificate confirming that the person is free to marry.
After a wedding under foreign law, the marriage can be聽聽by sending the Tax Administration a declaration concerning the marriage and the original foreign marriage certificate.
The certificate will usually need an apostille or legalisation and, if it is not in English or a Nordic language, an approved translation. Registration is not necessarily automatic, especially if the marriage does not satisfy Norway鈥檚 rules concerning age, consent, existing marriages, close family relationships or the physical presence of both spouses.
Plan the Paperwork First
Getting married in Norway is entirely possible for foreign residents and overseas visitors, but a destination wedding requires more preparation than simply booking a scenic venue.
Before paying deposits, establish which documents you need, whether they require apostilles or translations and how long the application is likely to take. The marriage licence lasts for only four months, but acquiring and verifying the documents needed to obtain it can take considerably longer.
Once the formalities are under control, you can turn your attention to the more enjoyable questions: church or fjord, bunad or wedding dress鈥攁nd exactly how many speeches your guests are planning.
