Basic information
Investigation of impediments to marriage
Prior to a marriage, potential reasons preventing the marriage are investigated. The purpose of investigating the potential reasons for preventing a marriage is to ensure that there is nothing preventing the marriage. The investigation can be carried out either by the registry or the Evangelical Lutheran Church or the Orthodox Church to which at least one of the potential spouses belongs. The investigation request must be presented in writing.
The Investigation Request Form is available from the registry. The certificate of the investigation of the impediments to marriage are returned no earlier than seven days from the date upon which the request was submitted. The certificate is valid for a period of four months. The certificate must be left at the local register office prior to the marriage.
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When a name changes as the result of a marriage
When spouses chose to share a joint surname, one or the other's name changes. A person's name also changes if he or she decides to use a former name in a hyphenated name. A couple may notify the local register office of any possible change in surname prior to the marriage by filling out the following Notification of the Choice of Surname Form. Following the marriage, the name change is registered in the Population Information System. Both the state and municipal authorities will automatically be informed of the name change.
Once the Social Insurance Institution has received notification of the name change, it will automatically send you a new Kela-card (the photocard is available for a fee and requires an application). Most banks, insurance companies and store chains maintain their own customer registers with the help of the Population Information System.
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Marriage of foreigners
Foreign nationals can also be married at local register offices. Prior to the marriage ceremony, the foreigner must provide the local register office with a certificate from the authorities of his or her own country stating that there is nothing preventing the planned matrimony.
As a rule, either this certificate must also be accompanied by the Apostille Certificate, or the certificates must be legalized. Exceptions to this general rule are certificates granted by the authorities of other Nordic countries.
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