Iceland is one of the easiest countries in Europe for two foreigners to get legally married. Non-residents can apply, and — unusually for Europe — a licensed officiant may conduct the legal ceremony outdoors when the location, permissions and local conditions allow it. This guide walks through the process step by step, based on the official requirements published by the District Commissioners, Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá Íslands) and Ísland.is.
A note on accuracy: requirements change. This guide was last reviewed on the date shown above, and we link to the official sources at the bottom — always confirm current requirements with Þjóðskrá or the District Commissioner before booking flights.
Who can get married in Iceland
Foreign citizens and people living outside Iceland can marry there without establishing Icelandic residency. Both partners must be at least 18 years old, legally competent and free to marry; any previous marriage must have been formally ended.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Iceland since 2010, and Icelandic celebrants and officials are genuinely welcoming — this is one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly wedding destinations in the world.
After the ceremony, the marriage is registered with Registers Iceland. Recognition, name changes and any apostille requirements in your home country are governed by that country's rules, so confirm the process with the relevant US state or UK authority before relying on the certificate for an administrative deadline.
The documents you need
The core of the process is the marriage notification form (Hjónavígsluskýrsla) — a form both partners complete and sign, which tells Icelandic authorities you intend to marry. Along with it, each partner needs:
- A valid passport. Foreign citizens submitting by form should provide the notarised copy requested by the District Commissioner.
- A birth certificate — an original or certified copy.
- A certificate of marital status (sometimes called a certificate of no impediment or single-status certificate), proving you are legally free to marry. It must be no more than 12 weeks old when submitted, so time your request carefully.
- If previously married: the final divorce decree, or the death certificate of a former spouse. If your divorce is recent, authorities may ask for confirmation that financial division is complete.
Documents must be in English or a Nordic language, or accompanied by a certified translation. The official process requires original supporting documents. US couples should ask their county or state authority what equivalent marital-status document it issues; UK couples should confirm the correct certificate with their local register office.
Authentication requirements can vary with the issuing country and document. Ask the District Commissioner whether your originals need an apostille or other legal authentication before paying for certificates or translations.
Deadlines: when to submit what
Submit your paperwork to the District Commissioner (Sýslumaður) well before your wedding. Official guidance says processing time varies between offices and recommends contacting the relevant office in advance:
- Around three months before: confirm the exact document list, authentication requirements and submission route with the District Commissioner and your officiant.
- Inside the 12-week validity window: obtain the certificates of marital status and prepare certified translations where required.
- Before travelling: follow the instructions sent by the District Commissioner. Couples unable to use the Icelandic electronic application can start the case by email, but the supporting documents must ultimately be submitted in original form.
Once the examination is approved, the District Commissioner issues a certificate of no impediment. The legal ceremony must take place within 30 days of that certificate.
Civil vs. religious vs. humanist ceremonies
You have three routes to a legal ceremony in Iceland, and all three can happen outdoors:
Civil ceremony — performed by a District Commissioner or their legally trained representative. The default is a short ceremony at the commissioner's office. An outside or after-hours ceremony may be possible on request, depending on the office and for an additional fee.
Religious ceremony — performed by a licensed pastor or religious officiant. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland is the largest, but many denominations have licensed clergy. Some pastors will happily officiate at a mountain or beach location.
Humanist ceremony (Siðmennt) — this is the route most elopement couples take. Celebrants licensed through Siðmennt, the Icelandic humanist association, perform legally binding ceremonies with fully personalized scripts, and they are famously willing to travel: glacier lagoons, highland ridges, and waterfall bases are all in a normal week's work. Book early — the small pool of English-speaking celebrants fills summer dates months ahead.
The marriage notification also needs signatures from two people who confirm there is no legal impediment; the official guidance says those respondents do not have to attend the ceremony. Civil offices can usually provide ceremony witnesses when requested, but confirm arrangements with your officiant.
What it costs
Approximate costs for the legal side (the ceremony itself, not the trip):
- Examination certificate when applying by form: 6,700 ISK, plus any bank or transfer charges.
- Civil ceremony at the commissioner's office: minimum 15,400 ISK.
- Civil ceremony at an outside location: add travel fees, which vary by district and distance.
- Humanist celebrant (Siðmennt): the published 2026 ceremony price is 90,000 ISK, before any applicable travel or location costs.
- Document costs at home: certificates, certified copies and any translations usually total $50–200 depending on your state or council.
The legal part is genuinely the cheap part of an Iceland elopement — your flights, accommodation and photographer will each cost more.
After the ceremony
Your officiant reports the ceremony and Registers Iceland records the marriage. Ask Registers Iceland how to obtain the marriage certificate you need, whether an English version is available, and whether your destination authority requires an apostille.
US and UK couples should check the certificate, translation and authentication rules of every authority where they plan to use it. Requirements can differ between passport, tax, benefits, banking and state-level name-change processes.
FAQ
Can two non-residents really get legally married in Iceland? Yes. Iceland has no residency or citizenship requirement for marriage. Thousands of foreign couples marry there every year.
How far in advance should we start? Three months out is a sensible point to contact the authorities and your officiant. The certificate of marital status cannot be more than 12 weeks old when submitted, and summer officiants can book well ahead.
Can we legally marry outdoors, or is that just for photos? Potentially, yes. A licensed Icelandic officiant can conduct a binding ceremony outside an office, but the officiant must agree and the location may need permission. District Commissioner requests depend on the circumstances of each office.
Do we need witnesses? Two people must sign the marriage notification. For the ceremony itself, confirm witness arrangements with your officiant; civil offices state that witnesses can usually be provided on request.
Can we use the Icelandic certificate for a US or UK name change? Often, but each authority sets its own evidence and authentication rules. Ask the relevant agency whether it needs an English certificate, certified translation or apostille before you submit it.
What if our paperwork isn't approved in time? The safe fallback is a symbolic ceremony on the planned date and a separate legal civil ceremony at home. Do not present the symbolic ceremony as legally binding.