How to Legally Get Married in Norway as Foreigners
Congratulations, you have decided to say “I do” in one of the most spectacular places on Earth. Lofoten does that to people. Something about standing surrounded by mountains that rise straight out of the sea, with wild weather rolling in and light that feels like it belongs in another world entirely, makes you want to commit to something big. And yes, as foreigners, you can absolutely get legally married here.
The process does involve paperwork and planning, but it is genuinely straightforward once you understand the steps. This guide has been reviewed and updated in May 2026 to reflect the current process through the Norwegian Tax Administration, called Skatteetaten. Let’s walk through it together.
The most important thing to know before you begin is that the marriage licence you need before getting married in Norway is called a prøvingsattest. It is valid for four months, so timing matters. I recommend starting the paperwork at least 8 to 12 weeks before your wedding date, especially if you need documents from abroad, apostilles, legalisation or official translations.
This guide is here to help you understand the process, but official requirements can change and may depend on your citizenship, residence, previous marital status and home country. Always check the current requirements with Skatteetaten, UDI and the relevant authorities in your home country before submitting your documents.
Can foreigners legally get married in Norway?
Yes. Foreigners can legally get married in Norway as long as the Norwegian authorities confirm that you meet the legal requirements for marriage. You do not need to be a Norwegian citizen or live in Norway to get married here, but your stay in Norway must be legal. This can mean you have a residence permit, EU or EEA residence rights, a visitor visa or a valid visa free stay.
Before your ceremony, Skatteetaten needs to check that both of you are legally allowed to marry. Once your application is approved, you will receive your prøvingsattest, which is the marriage licence your officiant needs before they can legally marry you. Without this approval, your ceremony can still be symbolic, but it will not be legally binding in Norway.
Step 1: Gather Your Documents
Before anything else, you need to collect the right paperwork. Skatteetaten handles marriage approvals in Norway, and if one or both of you are foreign citizens, you may need to submit additional documentation before your application can be approved.
Here's what you'll need:
Personal declaration (Egenerklæring): Both of you complete this to confirm you meet the legal requirements to marry. If you apply online, it is included in the application. If you apply on paper, you will need the paper form.
Declaration from two sponsors (Forlovererklæring): Each of you needs one sponsor, so two total. Your sponsors must be at least 18 years old, and you and your partner cannot act as each other’s sponsors. Your sponsor does not have to be the same person who witnesses your actual ceremony.
Proof of identity: For most couples this means a valid passport. Skatteetaten asks for a high quality colour copy. Do not send your original passport. National ID cards are generally only accepted for EU, EEA or EFTA citizens.
Certificate of no impediment: This is an official document from your home country confirming there are no legal obstacles to you getting married in Norway. It must usually be original, no older than four months, apostilled or legalised, and in English or a Nordic language. If it is in another language, it must be officially translated. If your country does not issue a certificate of no impediment, you may need proof of civil status instead.
Previous marriage documents: If either of you has been married before, you will need documentation showing that the previous marriage has legally ended. This could be a divorce decree, a declaration of division or a death certificate depending on your situation. If the divorce was granted under foreign law, it may need to be formally recognised before Skatteetaten can process your application.
Proof of legal stay in Norway: Even if you are visiting as a tourist, you need to show that your stay is legal. This could be a visa, residence permit, EU or EEA residence right, entry stamp or documentation confirming you entered under a visa free arrangement.
Any documents not in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English must be officially translated. In most cases you need to submit both the original document and the translation. If your country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille is usually enough. If not, full legalisation may be required.
Tip: Check the official requirements for your specific country before ordering documents. What is accepted can vary depending on where the document was issued.
Step 2: Submit your application to Skatteetaten
Once your documents are ready, you apply to Skatteetaten for your prøvingsattest. Some couples can apply online, but many couples travelling from abroad will need to apply using paper forms.
You may be able to apply online if both partners and both sponsors can log in using BankID or a similar electronic ID, and if you have national identity numbers for everyone involved. Even if you apply online, supporting documents still need to be sent by post.
If you cannot apply online, which is very common for couples visiting from abroad, send your completed paper forms and all supporting documents to:
Skatteetaten
Postboks 9200 Grønland
0134 Oslo
Norway
Skatteetaten states that automatic processing can happen immediately, while manual processing usually takes 4 to 5 weeks. If foreign documents need extra checks, the process can take longer. I recommend starting at least 8 to 12 weeks before your wedding date.
Tip: Start this process before locking in anything non refundable. You do not want to be chasing paperwork right before flying to Norway.
Step 3: Receive your marriage licence
If Skatteetaten approves your application, they will issue your prøvingsattest. This is the document that confirms you are allowed to get married in Norway, and it is valid for four months from the date it is issued.
This is why timing is important. You do not want to apply too early and have it expire before your ceremony, but you also do not want to apply too late and risk not receiving it in time.
Once you receive your prøvingsattest, you are responsible for sending it to your officiant before the wedding. Your officiant cannot legally marry you without it.
Step 4: Choose your officiant
Once your marriage licence is approved, you need to arrange who will legally marry you. In Norway, your officiant must be authorised to perform legal marriages. Friends or family members cannot legally marry you unless they are formally approved under one of the authorised categories. A loved one can absolutely lead a symbolic ceremony, but the legal part must be handled by an authorised officiant.
Civil ceremony through the kommune
A civil ceremony is one of the most common routes for eloping couples in Lofoten. You contact the local municipality, called the kommune, where you want to get married, and they will arrange a ceremony with a civil registrar. Some municipalities allow outdoor or scenic ceremony locations while others may require the legal ceremony to take place at the town hall or another approved venue. This varies, so ask the kommune directly when you reach out.
Religious officiant
If you are affiliated with a recognised religious community in Norway, you can contact them directly to arrange a ceremony. Your officiant must be authorised to perform legal marriages in Norway, so make sure they confirm they are authorised, available and able to register the marriage afterward.
Humanist ceremony through Human-Etisk Forbund
For a non religious ceremony that still feels personal and meaningful, Human-Etisk Forbund, the Norwegian Humanist Association, is a beautiful option. Their officiants are legally authorised to marry you and are often open to more personal and location flexible ceremonies. Availability and location options vary so you will need to contact them directly.
Tip: Your photographer and other local vendors are often very familiar with local officiants, kommune options and what works well for elopement days. If you are not sure where to begin, just ask.
Step 5: Arrange your two witnesses
Norwegian law requires two adult witnesses to be present at your wedding ceremony. If you are eloping without guests, this is usually much easier than it sounds.
Your witnesses could be your photographer, videographer, hair and makeup artist, celebrant, friends or family if they are travelling with you, or witnesses provided by the kommune if available. I can often be one witness for my couples, which is a real help if you are travelling without guests. Just make sure this is arranged ahead of time so nobody is surprised on the day.
One important thing to note: your sponsors for the paperwork do not have to be the same people as your ceremony witnesses. The sponsor declaration is part of the application process. The witnesses are simply present at the actual ceremony.
Step 6: Plan your ceremony style
There are two main ceremony formats to consider when getting married in Norway.
A fully legal ceremony: This is conducted by your authorised officiant using your approved prøvingsattest. This is the route to choose if you want your Norway ceremony to be your official legal wedding.
A symbolic ceremony with legal paperwork done separately: Many couples prefer to say their personal vows at the location of their dreams, whether that is a mountain, a beach, a fjord or a remote viewpoint, and handle the legal paperwork separately at the town hall either before or after. Some couples also choose to legally marry at home first and then come to Lofoten purely for the ceremony experience.
Both options are completely valid. The right choice depends on how much flexibility you want with your ceremony location, how comfortable you feel with international paperwork and what matters most to you on the day.
Step 7: After the ceremony
After your legal ceremony, your officiant must send the marriage notification to Skatteetaten within three days. Once your marriage is registered you will receive confirmation through Altinn if you are set up digitally, or by post if not.
If you need proof of your marriage for your home country, you can request a marriage certificate from Skatteetaten. Certificates used outside the Nordic region often need an apostille or legalisation, so check what your home country requires.
Name change note: If you are registered as living in Norway and want to change your name, you may be able to apply when you apply for your marriage licence. If you are travelling soon after the wedding, it is usually better to wait until you are home so your passport name and travel bookings stay consistent.
The symbolic only option
If the international paperwork feels like a lot, you are genuinely not alone. Many couples legally marry at home first, then come to Lofoten for a symbolic ceremony, personal vows and the full elopement experience.
You can still wear the dress, exchange vows, carry flowers, explore the mountains, have the emotional ceremony and create photographs that feel completely meaningful. The paperwork is not what makes the day meaningful. The experience is.
Suggested timeline
4 to 6 months before: Start researching the requirements for your citizenship and home country. Contact the authority that issues certificates of no impediment or proof of civil status. This is also a good time to reach out to your photographer, kommune, officiant and other vendors.
3 to 4 months before: Start gathering documents. Check whether anything needs an apostille, legalisation or official translation.
8 to 12 weeks before: Submit your application to Skatteetaten. Processing can take several weeks, especially if your case needs manual review or foreign document checks.
1 to 2 months before: Confirm your officiant, witnesses and ceremony details. Make sure your prøvingsattest has been sent to your officiant before the ceremony.
After your wedding: Request your marriage certificate from Skatteetaten if you need official proof of marriage, and check whether your home country requires an apostille or legalisation.
Getting married in Lofoten
If you are planning to get married in Lofoten specifically, it helps to think about the legal side and the experience side as two separate things. The legal side is the paperwork, the approval and the authorised officiant. The experience side is where your day actually happens and what it feels like.
Your legal ceremony might be at the town hall, followed by personal vows on a mountain. Your kommune or officiant may be able to marry you outdoors depending on availability and location. Or you might choose to handle the legal part at home entirely and have a symbolic ceremony here instead.
Whatever route you take, Lofoten gives you so many ways to make the day feel meaningful. You could exchange vows by the sea, hike to a viewpoint at golden hour, watch the midnight sun sit low over the mountains, or end the night with a private dinner in a quiet rorbu. The legal paperwork is one part of it. The experience is what you will remember.
In summary
Getting legally married in Norway as foreigners is absolutely possible. It takes paperwork, patience and some planning, but it is not something to be scared of. Once you understand the steps, it becomes much easier to manage.
And if you decide the legal route is not for you, that is completely okay. A symbolic ceremony in Lofoten can be just as meaningful, especially if what you really want is the experience of saying your vows somewhere wild, beautiful and completely unforgettable.
Whether you choose to make it legal in Norway or handle the legal side at home, your day can still feel fully yours. If you are dreaming of getting married in Lofoten and want help planning a day around the light, the weather, the locations and the whole experience, I would love to help make it happen.
Ready to start planning your Lofoten elopement? Get in touch and tell me what you are dreaming of.
This article was last reviewed in May 2026. Marriage rules and document requirements can change, so always check the current requirements with Skatteetaten, UDI and the relevant authorities in your home country before submitting your documents.
Official sources to check before applying:
Skatteetaten: Marriage with a foreign citizen
UDI: Getting married in Norway