Same-sex marriage
Registered Partnership is a same-sex marriage, as it is entered into by two people of the same gender. Apart from that, the requirements of becoming registered are the same as for getting married. An application to become registered as partners must be filled out and handed in to the municipality, and upon registration a Partnership Certificate is issued.
Foreigners - take note!
Registered Partnership can only be performed if:
- at least one of the partners is a Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, or Icelandic citizen living in Denmark for at least two years, or
- if both partners have been living in Denmark for at least two years.
Check out the pamphlet Registered Partnership – when your girlfriend or boyfriend is not a Danish Citizen by the LGBT Danmark-Asylum Group – or write them, if you have questions.
Registration
Registration is performed by the mayor or his deputy, in the same manner as he would a traditional heterosexual marriage. Registration can take place in any given city/municipality, even if none of the partners live in that city or municipality. (E.g. if the partners have their home in Copenhagen but find Odense terribly romantic, then there is no problem getting registered in Odense!)
Legal effects and adoption
Registered partnership has the same legal effects as marriage. However, registered partners cannot adopt children together, but one partner can adopt the child(ren) of the other partner. Registered partners have the same right of inheritance as married partners.
Church blessing
Though not obligated to by law, many pastors in the Folkekirke (the Danish national church) perform church blessings of registered partnership. – And many do not!
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