The process of examination of impediments to marriage
Processing times
Certificate of no impediments to marriage
Announcing the intent to marry ”giving notice”
Choosing the surname
Marriages officiated abroad
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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.
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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.
Return to headlinesCertificate 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.
Return to headlinesAnnouncing 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.
Return to headlinesChoosing 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.
Return to headlinesMarriages 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.