So, you’re in love, dreaming of a beautiful Swedish wedding, and now you just need to actually make it legal? Fantastic! Welcome to the land of fika, ABBA, and efficient (read: slightly confusing) bureaucracy.
Getting married in Sweden isn’t overly complicated, but it does come with a few essential steps—and a little bit of patience. If you’re a foreigner or expat, there are some extra things to consider. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Here’s everything you need to know about obtaining a Swedish wedding certificate, told in the least boring way possible.
📌 Swedish Wedding Paperwork – Quick Checklist
✅ Apply for a Hindersprövning (certificate of no impediment)
✅ Choose a ceremony type: civil or religious
✅ Find an officiant and book a date
✅ Receive your Vigselintyg (marriage certificate) on the big day
✅ Register your marriage with Skatteverket (Swedish Tax Agency)
✅ Receive your official Äktenskapsbevis (Swedish wedding certificate)
✅ Live happily ever after (preferably with some Swedish cinnamon buns)
Sounds simple? Great! Now, let’s break it down.
Step 1: The Legendary Hindersprövning (No, It’s Not a Viking Sword)
Before getting married in Sweden, you need to apply for Hindersprövning—a certificate confirming that there are no legal obstacles to your marriage.
📍 Where to apply? Skatteverket (The Swedish Tax Agency) – www.skatteverket.se
📜 What you need to submit:
✔ A completed application form (available on Skatteverket’s website)
✔ A copy of both partners’ passports
✔ A certificate proving your marital status from your home country (if you’re not Swedish)
✔ Official translations of any non-Swedish or non-English documents
⏳ Processing time: 2-4 weeks, so don’t leave this until the last minute!
Once approved, you’ll receive:
✔ Hindersprövning certificate (congrats, you’re legally allowed to marry!)
✔ Vigselintyg (you’ll need this for the actual wedding)
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re dealing with foreign documents, find a professional translator early. Sweden loves organization, but they’re not big on last-minute panic.
Step 2: Choosing Your Wedding Ceremony
Sweden gives you two main options for saying Ja!:
💍 1. Civil Wedding (Borglig Vigsel)
A quick and simple ceremony performed by a registrar at a town hall. Popular locations:
📌 Stockholm City Hall – The same place where Nobel Prize ceremonies happen! More info
📌 Gothenburg’s City Hall – Historic and elegant. Details here
💡 Pro Tip: Some municipalities let you get married for free if you’re a resident—worth checking!
⛪ 2. Religious Wedding (Kyrklig Vigsel)
If you want a church wedding, Sweden has breathtaking venues, from medieval cathedrals to countryside chapels.
If you’re not a member of the Church of Sweden, you may need special permission. Contact your chosen church well in advance.
💡 Dreamy Swedish Wedding Locations:
🏰 Drottningholm Palace – Fairytale setting! Details here
🌲 Lapland Ice Hotel – Say I do in a chapel made of ice. More info
🌊 Fjäderholmarna Islands – An archipelago paradise. Visit here
Step 3: The Wedding Day – Making It Official
Once you’ve chosen your ceremony and completed the paperwork, it’s time for the big day!
📜 What happens?
✔ Your officiant (either a registrar or priest) conducts the ceremony.
✔ Both of you (and two witnesses) sign the Vigselintyg.
✔ Your officiant sends the signed certificate to Skatteverket for registration.
💡 Important: Sweden doesn’t automatically change your last name after marriage. If you want to change your name, you’ll need to apply separately!
Step 4: Receiving Your Official Marriage Certificate
After your wedding, Skatteverket processes your marriage and issues your Äktenskapsbevis (Swedish marriage certificate).
📌 Need an extra fancy document? Request a Personbevis—useful for visa applications and name changes.
What If You’re a Foreigner Getting Married in Sweden?
If neither of you is Swedish, the process is still possible but involves extra paperwork. You’ll need:
📍 A certificate of no impediment from your home country
📍 Translated documents (if not in Swedish/English)
📍 Additional approval from Skatteverket (for non-residents)
💡 Bonus Tip: Check with the Swedish embassy in your home country for the latest requirements—they change sometimes!
Common Wedding Paperwork Problems (And How to Fix Them)
🚨 Problem: My Hindersprövning is delayed!
✅ Solution: Call Skatteverket and check your application status. Be patient—it’s Sweden, not Vegas!
🚨 Problem: My home country doesn’t issue a ‘certificate of no impediment.’
✅ Solution: Contact your embassy in Sweden. They usually provide an alternative.
🚨 Problem: I forgot to book an officiant!
✅ Solution: Some municipalities allow last-minute bookings—call your local town hall ASAP.
Why Sweden?
Apart from the slightly complicated paperwork, Sweden is an amazing wedding destination! Stunning landscapes, modern venues, and a hassle-free atmosphere once you’re past the bureaucracy.
Imagine exchanging vows under the Northern Lights, having a lakeside wedding with Swedish fika, or getting married in an actual palace.
Final Thoughts (And Why You Need a Great Photographer!)
Paperwork might not be the most exciting part of wedding planning, but trust me—getting the legal stuff sorted means you can focus on the fun parts. Whether you’re eloping in Stockholm, having a big countryside wedding, or saying Ja! in a candlelit church, your wedding day deserves to be unforgettable.
📸 And what’s the best way to make it last forever? Beautiful wedding photos, of course!
💛 Want to see how magical a Swedish wedding can look? Check out my portfolio: Your Happy Moments Blog
📸 Looking for wedding photography packages? See what I offer: Investment
📩 Let’s make your dream wedding come to life! Contact me here: Contact
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