Danish city, Copenhagen, has been hoarding revenue from wedding ceremonies for extended periods.
Copenhagen to Refund Overcharged Marriage Fees to Thousands of Couples
In a recent administrative error, thousands of couples, primarily foreign couples, were overcharged for civil marriages in Copenhagen since 2018. The city's marriage office applied incorrect rates, leading to fees significantly higher than the official price for civil marriage services.
The City of Copenhagen has acknowledged the mistake and announced a refund process. Couples who paid these excessive fees will be able to apply for reimbursement. The city has set up a system where affected couples can submit claims, typically through an official website or designated administrative office, providing proof of payment and marriage documentation. After verification, the city will refund the overcharged amounts directly to the couples.
This refund initiative is part of Copenhagen’s efforts to correct the mistake and maintain trust with international visitors who come to Denmark for civil marriage ceremonies. However, the responsible committee in Copenhagen must now decide on the procedure for the refunds, as the loss of revenue poses a financial challenge.
The incident may impact the reputation of Copenhagen as a popular destination for weddings, especially for couples with one partner lacking a permanent residence permit or facing high German marriage requirements. Germany recognizes marriages from Denmark, making the Danish city a popular choice for such couples. In fact, last year, the Copenhagen town hall recorded a record 8,000 civil marriages, with 5,000 involving foreigners.
The overcharging incident has raised questions about the transparency and management of the City of Copenhagen's services. The news about the overcharging was reported by the Danish news agency Ritzau and the newspaper "Politiken." Mia Nyegaard, the Culture Mayor of Copenhagen, described the error as "really unfortunate and regrettable."
In Germany, foreign nationals seeking marriage must typically submit a certificate of marital capacity, which confirms no legal hindrances in their home country. If a home country does not issue such a certificate, exemption from this obligation is needed in Germany, which requires several current documents. Refugees, for instance, may not have the necessary documents for the German marriage requirements exemption.
The illegal practice was discovered in the spring of 2025. Despite the ongoing refund process, the method of making the refunds has not yet been determined. The incident has not been linked to any specific political or governmental body in Denmark.
Copenhagen is known for being a popular destination for couples looking to get married due to its liberal legislation, similar to Las Vegas in the US. The city's popularity for marriages was highlighted, especially for couples with one partner lacking a permanent residence permit or facing high German marriage requirements.
The overcharging incident serves as a reminder for the importance of maintaining transparency and accuracy in administrative processes, especially when dealing with international visitors. The city of Copenhagen is working diligently to rectify the situation and regain the trust of the couples affected by this error.
- In light of the refund initiative, the financial implications for the City of Copenhagen might cause concern, as the lost revenue could potentially affect its general-news related budget and business operations.
- The incident, which involved overcharging thousands of couples for civil marriages, has raised concerns about transparency and management not only in the City of Copenhagen's finance department, but also in its broader political landscape.
- The criminal justice system might investigate the administrative error that led to the overcharging, as it could be considered a form of financial fraud, involving crime-and-justice and business ethics.
