You’ve done it! You got married in Iceland—land of waterfalls, glaciers, and epic elopements. Maybe you exchanged vows in front of Seljalandsfoss, stood on a black sand beach in Vik, or even tied the knot under the Northern Lights. But now comes the slightly less magical part: making sure your marriage is legally recognized back home.
If the idea of paperwork makes you want to run back into the Icelandic wilderness—don’t worry! I’ve got you covered with this step-by-step guide on how to register your Icelandic marriage in the US, UK, Canada, and Europe.
Step 1: Get Your Icelandic Marriage Certificate
First thing’s first—you need proof you’re officially hitched. In Iceland, marriages are registered by Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá Íslands).
💡 What you need to do:
✅ Request an official marriage certificate (Hjónavottorð) after your wedding.
✅ Ask for the certificate in English (the default is in Icelandic).
✅ Order extra copies—trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.
📍 Where to request it?
🔗 Registers Iceland – Official Website
Step 2: Do You Need an Apostille or Legalization?
Here’s where things can get a little bureaucratic (but stay with me, I promise it’s not that bad!).
If your country is in the Hague Apostille Convention (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, etc.):
- You need an Apostille, which is an official stamp that makes your Icelandic marriage certificate valid internationally.
- Iceland provides Apostille services through the District Commissioner’s Office in Reykjavik.
📍 Where to get an Apostille in Iceland?
🔗 District Commissioner’s Office
If your country is NOT in the Hague Apostille Convention:
- You may need full legalization via an Icelandic ministry and your country’s embassy.
- Some countries require a certified translation as well.
Step 3: Translate the Certificate (If Needed)
If your country doesn’t accept documents in English or Icelandic, you’ll need a certified translation.
💡 How to do it?
✅ Use a government-approved translator in your country.
✅ Some embassies offer translation services—check with them first.
📍 Helpful Links for Official Translators:
Step 4: Register Your Marriage in Your Home Country
Once you have your Apostille and translation (if needed), you’ll need to register your Icelandic marriage with your local government.
Where to Register?
🇺🇸 United States: County Clerk’s Office or Department of State. Some states require extra steps, so check your state’s rules.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: General Register Office (GRO) – not always required, but useful for future name changes.
🇨🇦 Canada: Provincial Vital Statistics Office.
🇦🇺 Australia: Department of Home Affairs.
🇪🇺 EU countries: Your local municipality or civil registry office.
📍 Need to find your country’s embassy in Iceland?
🔗 Icelandic Government – Diplomatic Missions
💡 Pro Tip: Some countries require registration within a specific timeframe after the wedding. Don’t procrastinate!
Step 5: Changing Your Name (If You Want To!)
Thinking about taking your partner’s last name? (Or maybe a fancy double-barrel surname?) Each country has its own rules:
- 🇺🇸 US: You can update your name when changing your Social Security card and passport.
- 🇬🇧 UK: May require a deed poll in addition to your marriage certificate.
- 🇩🇪 Germany: Some states have stricter rules about name changes after marriage.
💡 Check your government’s guidelines before assuming your new last name on Instagram! 😆
Special Considerations for Expats & Dual Citizens
If you’re a dual citizen or living abroad, your process might be different. Some countries require you to register your foreign marriage with their embassy.
📍 Check with your embassy before your wedding to avoid surprises!
Registering an Icelandic Marriage for Visa & Immigration
Planning to use your Icelandic marriage certificate for visa or residency applications? Different countries have different requirements.
- 🇺🇸 USA Green Card process: A certified and translated marriage certificate is required for spouse visa applications.
- 🇬🇧 UK Spouse Visa: The Home Office may require an Apostille and a sworn translation.
- 🇪🇺 European countries: Some require extra proof of relationship, like joint financial documents.
📍 Check your country’s immigration website before applying!
Final Thoughts: Love is Universal, Bureaucracy is Not
Your wedding in Iceland was a dream come true—but registering your marriage? A little less romantic. While the process may seem overwhelming, the key is preparation and knowing what your country requires.
💡 TL;DR Checklist:
✅ Request your marriage certificate from Iceland.
✅ Get an Apostille (if your country accepts them).
✅ Translate the document if required.
✅ Submit it to the correct office in your home country.
✅ Celebrate being legally married everywhere!
And if this whole process has you dreaming of another adventure… why not book an anniversary photoshoot in one of the world’s most stunning destinations?
📸 Want to relive your wedding day magic?
Check out my destination wedding photography portfolio: Your Happy Moments Blog.
Looking for breathtaking elopement & wedding photography packages? See my pricing: Photography Packages.
Or, if you just need someone to gush about Icelandic elopements with—get in touch here: Contact Me.
Happy registering, lovebirds! 💍✨
