Denmark: notarial and documentary services
How someone in Denmark can get a certified copy of a British passport, obtain documents for marriage purposes and view informative notes.
Overview
The British embassy can provide certain notarial and documentary services for British nationals in Denmark.
However, where local notaries can provide services, the British embassy will not provide them. In many cases, notaries public or lawyers can provide services more cheaply, quickly and conveniently. You can also make an appointment at your local courthouse for notarial and documentary services.
You must make an appointment for each service that requires your personal attendance.
Before booking, make sure you have selected the correct service and that the document will be accepted by the relevant authority. This could be the local town hall, registry office, tax authorities, immigration office or another authority either in Denmark, the UK or a third country. The British embassy cannot confirm that certificates or services will be accepted; only the relevant authority can provide this information.
You can get examples of the wording of the consular certificates to present to the relevant authority for advice. Please send us an enquiry using our online form with your request.
If you think you have an urgent need for a notarial service, and no appointments are available exceptional circumstances will be considered. Please email consular.copenhagen@fcdo.gov.uk
Services we provide in Denmark
Consular staff in Denmark can:
- make a certified copy of a British passport
- issue documents to British nationals in Denmark for marriage purposes - see getting married abroad. This service is available if the Danish Authorities make a request in writing that no other option is available to complete their marriage process
What to bring to your appointment
See the individual services below for details of supporting documents to bring. Make sure you have acceptable proof of address and identity, and payment for any fees. See the full list of consular fees
Payment
We accept payment by Visa or MasterCard on the day of the appointment.
Proof of address and identity
For all appointments for notarial services you will need to bring acceptable proof of your identity and address. We accept passports, or Danish Residence Permits and Danish National CPR Yellow Card as proof of identity. We also accept your Danish National CPR Yellow Card as proof of your address.
Make a certified copy of a British passport
This service is for customers who need certified photocopies of British passports.
What you will need to bring with you:
- the document to be copied
- the correct fee – see the list of fees and payment options
- proof of identity/address – see what we will accept as proof
Book an appointment to make a certified copy in Copenhagen.
Marriage
If you want to get married in Denmark, you need a certificate of marital status from the Agency of Family Law. It’s valid for 4 months. You’ll have to pay a fee.
You should apply for a document showing that you are free to marry from the General Register Office, National Records of Scotland or nidirect.
If you cannot apply for one of these documents you can get a certificate of no impediment (CNI) from the British Embassy or a notary public.
Document showing that you are free to marry
If you are from England or Wales, you can get a ‘no trace letter’ from the General Register Office.
‘No trace letters’ cost £50 for each 10 year period from age 16 or when you entered the country. Specify how many years you need the search to cover and quote reference ‘SEARCH 123’. It can take up to 3 weeks for a ‘no trace letter’ to be issued.
General Register Office Telephone: +44 (0)300 123 1837 (8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 4pm Saturday)
If you are from Scotland, you can get a ’to whom it may concern’ letter from the National Records of Scotland.
If you are from Northern Ireland, you can get a ‘certificate of legal capacity to marry’ or a ‘marriage index search’ from nidirect.
Certificate of no impediment (CNI)
To get a CNI, you must post notice of your intended marriage in Denmark. You can do this at the British embassy or in front of a notary public.
You’ll need to have been living in Denmark for at least 3 full days before you can post notice, for example if you arrive in the country on Thursday, the earliest you can post notice is the following Monday.
Make an appointment at the embassy in Copenhagen.
If you have any concerns or issues that arise from this service, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Services provided elsewhere
We no longer provide life certificates for British nationals claiming a British pension abroad. Please refer to the list of people working in a recognised profession who can do this for you.
Data protection
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office holds and uses data for purposes notified to the Information Commissioner under the Data Protection Act 1998. Such personal data may be disclosed to other UK government departments and public authorities.
Disclaimer
This information is provided as a general guide and is based upon information provided to the embassy / consulate by the relevant authorities and may be subject to change at any time with little or no notice. Accordingly, the FCDO and the British embassy / consulate will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information. For all notarial and legalisation services it is the responsibility of the customer to ascertain the precise requirements of the person requesting the notarial or legalisation service and to satisfy themselves that the service provided by the embassy/consulate will be accepted.
Last updated 6 September 2022 + show all updates
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Updated text and new links
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Access rules to Embassy updated due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
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Change in notarial and document services available in the Embassy due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
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EU Exit update: Marriage information with link to the Danish Agency of Family Law, English language website on certificates of marriage
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Amended July 2018
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Added instructions to book an appointment online for these services.
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First published.