Getting Married in Norway as a Foreigner
PLANNING A WEDDING IN NORWAY FROM ABROAD? HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, AND SOMEONE WHO HAS HELPED COUPLES THROUGH IT BEFORE.
How to get married in Norway as a foreigner
Norway is a genuinely beautiful country to get married in, and the process is more straightforward than most people expect. Here is a quick overview of how it works.
“Anna was in all the right places throughout the wedding day, without taking up too much space.”
— Jeanette & Jonas, wedding in Jessheim
Documents you will need
The exact requirements depend on your nationality, but most foreign couples will need to gather the following before the ceremony can take place:
A certificate of no impediment (sometimes called a certificate of marital status or freedom to marry) issued by your home country
Valid passports or national ID for both partners
Proof of any previous divorces or annulments, if applicable
In some cases, a certified translation of documents into Norwegian or English
These documents need to be submitted to the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten), which handles the legal registration of marriages in Norway. Processing times vary, so starting early is strongly recommended.
Timeline
Most couples need at least 2 to 3 months to gather documents and complete the registration process, though 4 to 6 months is a more comfortable buffer, especially if documents need to be translated or apostilled.
For summer weddings in Norway, which are the most popular, booking well in advance is essential. Most couples book their photographer 8 to 18 months ahead.
What a civil ceremony looks like
A civil ceremony in Norway is performed by an officiant from the local municipality and typically takes around 15 to 30 minutes. It can take place at Oslo City Hall, a local courthouse, or in some cases outdoors with the right permissions. It’s legally binding and internationally recognised. You’ll need at least one witness.
For specific requirements based on your nationality, the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten) website is the most reliable source. And if you have questions, feel free to get in touch.
Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger & beyond
Norway is full of beautiful places to get married, and I photograph weddings across the country. Here are the three cities I work in most regularly.
Oslo
The capital is the most popular choice for foreign couples, partly because Oslo City Hall is one of the most straightforward venues for a civil ceremony in Norway, and partly because Oslo is easy to reach, well-organised, and genuinely lovely. From the waterfront to the Botanical Garden, there are beautiful settings for portraits and celebrations throughout the city.
See a real Oslo City Hall wedding here, or read about eloping in Oslo for a more intimate alternative.
Bergen
Bergen has a different character entirely: colourful wooden houses, dramatic fjord scenery, and a relaxed pace that suits couples who want something quieter than the capital. It’s a particularly good choice for anyone drawn to Norway for its natural landscape rather than its city energy.
Stavanger
Stavanger sits on the southwestern coast with easy access to Lysefjorden and some of Norway’s most dramatic scenery. A good option for couples who want coastal Norway without the tourist crowds of the most well-known fjord destinations.
Smaller locations
I’m also open to weddings in smaller towns and rural locations across Norway, particularly for intimate ceremonies and elopements where the setting matters more than the city. If you have somewhere specific in mind, get in touch and we can talk it through.
Real weddings in Norway
Someone who has done this before, and speaks your language
Getting married in Norway as a foreigner throws up questions that most local photographers have never had to think about. Which documents do you need? How does the registration process work? What happens if something gets lost in translation?
I’ve helped international couples through this process before. I speak fluent English, I understand what feels unfamiliar and confusing about getting married in Norway as a foreigner, and I’m happy to answer questions that have nothing to do with photography, because the planning is part of it too.
On the day itself, I work calmly and without taking over. Candid, documentary wedding photography that captures how the day actually felt.
Investment
Oslo City Hall wedding packages start at 18,000 NOK. Intimate wedding and elopement packages start at 47,000 NOK. Full-day wedding packages are also available across Norway.
For a full breakdown of what is included in each package, see the Pricing & Packages page.
Questions about getting married in Norway as a foreigner
Can foreigners get married in Norway?
Yes. Foreign nationals can legally marry in Norway, as long as both partners meet the legal requirements and submit the necessary documentation to the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten) in advance. There’s no requirement to be a Norwegian resident or citizen.
What documents do we need to get married in Norway?
Most foreign couples will need a certificate of no impediment from their home country, valid passports, and documentation of any previous marriages or divorces.
Requirements vary by nationality, so it’s worth checking with the Norwegian Tax Administration directly or getting in touch with me and I can point you toward the right resources.
How long does the process take?
From submitting your documents to the ceremony date, allow at least 2 to 3 months. If documents need to be translated, apostilled, or sourced from a country with a slower administrative process, 4 to 6 months is a safer target.
Do we need to live in Norway to get married there?
No. You don’t need to be a resident of Norway to get married there. Many of the couples I work with are visiting specifically to get married, or are combining their wedding with a trip to Norway.
Is a civil wedding in Norway legally recognised abroad?
Yes. A civil ceremony performed in Norway is legally binding and internationally recognised in most countries. Norway issues an official marriage certificate which you can then register in your home country. Requirements for registering a foreign marriage vary by country, so it is worth checking with your local authority.
Ready to start planning?
Tell me about your wedding and I will get back to you within 24 hours.
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Testimonials
Nina & Axel
|
“Anna took photos at the wedding and we are very pleased with the result.
She was very easy to deal with throughout the planning process, and was also super good on the wedding day itself.
We received many comments from the guests that the photographer had been so nice, and would highly recommend Anna to other brides and grooms.”
Testimonials
Åse-marie & mats
|
“Anna has managed to recreate the mood of our big day in the pictures. We are very grateful that we chose her as our wedding photographer. She is skilled and extremely pleasant.
A passionate photographer, with a big heart for love..”
Testimonials
Lotte & Marcus
|
“Anna was the photographer at our wedding, and we are very satisfied with the planning before, the communication along the way and the photos we got afterwards. She delivered beautiful photos and faster than expected.
In addition to being a skilled photographer, she is a very nice and warm person. Several of our guests have subsequently mentioned her and said she was very sweet. A big plus!
All in all, a very good experience and can strongly recommend her further.”
Testimonials
J & J
|
“Anna was very good from start to finish. Reassurance that she had an overview and a plan for the day. She was in all the right places throughout the wedding day. Without taking up too much space. Pleasant person to be around. The quality was very good! She captured the important moments very well. Everything was covered and more. The communication and response throughout the process was also very good. I would recommend her!”
Testimonials
Ida & Robert
|
“We had the pleasure of having Anna as a wedding photographer at our wedding. Anna is not only a person with an incredibly pleasant appearance, but also an incredibly talented photographer. Her ability to capture the small, special moments and emotions throughout the day is very impressive. The images are stunning and truly reflect the essence of our big day and we couldn’t be happier with her work.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants a photographer who really knows how to capture the magic of love!”
Testimonials
Nina & Axel
|
“Anna took photos at the wedding and we are very pleased with the result.
She was very easy to deal with throughout the planning process, and was also super good on the wedding day itself.
We received many comments from the guests that the photographer had been so nice, and would highly recommend Anna to other brides and grooms.”
Testimonials
Åse-marie & mats
|
“Anna has managed to recreate the mood of our big day in the pictures. We are very grateful that we chose her as our wedding photographer. She is skilled and extremely pleasant.
A passionate photographer, with a big heart for love..”
Testimonials
Lotte & Marcus
|
“Anna was the photographer at our wedding, and we are very satisfied with the planning before, the communication along the way and the photos we got afterwards. She delivered beautiful photos and faster than expected.
In addition to being a skilled photographer, she is a very nice and warm person. Several of our guests have subsequently mentioned her and said she was very sweet. A big plus!
All in all, a very good experience and can strongly recommend her further.”
Testimonials
J & J
|
“Anna was very good from start to finish. Reassurance that she had an overview and a plan for the day. She was in all the right places throughout the wedding day. Without taking up too much space. Pleasant person to be around. The quality was very good! She captured the important moments very well. Everything was covered and more. The communication and response throughout the process was also very good. I would recommend her!”
Testimonials
Ida & Robert
|
“We had the pleasure of having Anna as a wedding photographer at our wedding. Anna is not only a person with an incredibly pleasant appearance, but also an incredibly talented photographer. Her ability to capture the small, special moments and emotions throughout the day is very impressive. The images are stunning and truly reflect the essence of our big day and we couldn’t be happier with her work.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants a photographer who really knows how to capture the magic of love!”