Examination of impediments to marriage

An examination of impediments to marriage must be carried out before a couple can marry. This examination ensures that no impediments under the Finnish law exist for the marriage. 


The process of examination of impediments to marriage


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Requesting the examination of impediments to marriage

The request for the examination of impediments to marriage can be made through the online service.

This online service can be used if the couple wishing to marry 

  • are both at least 18 years of age,
  • have permanent residence in Finland,
  • and at least one of them is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.
The request can also be done by sending the request form (suomeksi, på svenska, in english) by mail to: Tampereen aluekeskusrekisteri, avioliittoasiat, PL 226, 33101 Tampere.

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Processing times

The examination of impediments to marriage takes at least 7 days. If one of the spouses is a foreigner, the examination may take longer, even weeks.

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Certificate of no impediments to marriage

The certificate is sent to the couple either by mail or by encrypted email. The couple is sent only one shared copy of the certificate. The certificate is valid for four months and must be given to the pastor before the ceremony.  

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Announcing the intent to marry ”giving notice”

When the examination of impediments to marriage is requested, it is also agreed whether the intent to marry will be announced publicly. 

The intent to marry can be read at the couple’s home parish’s church service before the wedding. It can also be published on the parish’s website and on the local newspaper. For Tampere, the newspapers are: Aamulehti, Tamperelainen, Hervannan Sanomat and Teisko-Aitolahti.

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Choosing the surname

The couple must choose their surnames when requesting the examination of impediments to marriage. More about the legislation concerning fore- and surnames and the legal effects of marriage can be found on the Ministry of Justice’s website

If the couple wishing to marry are foreigners

If both spouses are foreigners and do not have a permanent residence in Finland, the examination of impediments to marriage is carried out by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. 

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Marriages officiated abroad

A Finnish citizen can also be married abroad in accordance with the laws of the country in question.

It is recommended to research the requirements for the examination of impediments to marriage in the country in question well beforehand. More information can be had from the relevant authority, the embassy, or consulate in the country in question.


If the marriage is officiated abroad, the examination of impediments to marriage is carried out by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.