Registered Partnership - a hands-on experience
When I fell in love with my future Danish wife, Christina, I was settled and happily living in San Diego, California, U.S.A. I never dreamed that I would be living in Scandinavia, but it soon became apparent that that was our only option for being together.
Making an international or transcontinental move is a difficult decision. Getting plain and detailed information about “how to do it” can be just as difficult.
We started with information on the internet, such as Partners Task Force for Gay & Lesbian Couples and Danish Immigration Service. Yet, there was no sole source of accurate information about each step involved.
We hope that by sharing our personal experience you will be more at ease in making your very important decision.
Here is how it worked for us:
I arrived to the country with a round-trip ticket, as advised by the Danish Embassy as a regulation for admission into the country on a tourist visa (based on my U.S.A. citizenship).
We went in person to the City Hall for the municipality in which we live, bringing my passport and our birth certificates. We made an appointment for a registered partnership ceremony and set a date and time.
We completed the ceremony and signed the papers during the ceremony. We were presented with two original partnership certificates.
The following business day we went to our municipality's Udlændingestyrelsen (Foreigner's Administration Office), because we live in Storkøbenhavn (Greater Copenhagen). For those who live outside Storkøbenhavn, you should apply at your local Politi (Police).
We took a number and filled out an application for a residence permit. When our number was called, we showed my application to the main reception desk and were asked to wait in another area. About an hour later, our names were called and we met with a sagsbehandler (counselor), who asked us a series of questions, including “How did you meet?”, “When did you meet?” “Where do you live?”
After a brief interview, I was issued a residence permit. At that time we were advised that there were three main ways to have the permit revoked: (1) criminal activity, (2) owe the Danish government more than 50,000 kroner, and (3) stop living together, move away from Denmark or leave the country for a prolonged period of time.
I was issued a one year Residence Permit on the basis of (Aliens Act) §9, stk. 1, nr. 2. The permit immediately entitled me to the right to work in Denmark, access to healthcare and other benefits. We were advised to return within 15 days of the expiry date (1 year later) to reapply for the next one year permit period. After three years, I can then apply for Permanent Residency based on the law as it existed on the date of my original residence permit.
From Udlændingstyrelsen we went directly to our municipality's Folkeregister (Registrar's office), took a number, and when called (about 5 minutes wait) sat down with a person who took a copy of our partnership certificate and my passport. We were advised that I would be receiving my CPR number (Person number) in the mail within a few weeks. I also selected a primary care physician during this process.
About two weeks passed and I received my CPR number in the mail.
It may be difficult to believe, but it really went as smoothly as described above. Be advised, however, that laws pertaining to immigration are changing rapidly. Immigration issues are amongst the most hotly debated political agenda items today in Denmark. For example, issues such as the sponsoring Danish citizen/resident's income and age restrictions are currently in review. There are also timeframes in place to demonstrate fluency in the Danish language in order to obtain a permanent residency. We strongly urge you to check with the Danish Embassy in your country for rules pertaining to your citizenship (e.g. the Royal Danish National Consulate Los Angeles) and to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Good luck!
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