CAN US citizens get married in Iceland?
Getting married, or eloping in Iceland has been pretty popular for the past few years. It all kind of started in the aftermath of the economic crash of 2008. Back in 2010 prices were incredibly favorable for tourists and the Icelandic government put a whole lot of effort into increasing tourism in Iceland. I even shot a short campaign for them in 2018, documenting the Icelandic Football (soccer for you, probably) Team in the lead up to the 2018 world cup.
Adventure Elopements in Iceland
A side effect of all this publicity were adventure elopements in Iceland that started popping up on popular photography blogs around 2012 and 2013. I will say, we kept the Icelandic landscape a secret for a while. In 2015 the secret was fully out!
CAN AMERICANS LEGALLY ELOPE IN ICELAND?
Yes, they can! The Icelandic government actually issues an international marriage license and certificate that is valid in the United States! Iceland is one of the easier countries for foreigners to be legally married in.
HOW TO BE LEGALLY MARRIED IN ICELAND
You will need to file documents before arriving in Iceland.
Notification of marriage to the Iceland Registry
Birth certificates of both partners need to be submitted.
Certificate of marriage status, dated within eight weeks of your wedding date.
A divorce decree if needed.
If either party is a widow/widower, a document stating and proving the deceased person’s estate has been finalized.
Valid passports.
Three weeks before the scheduled wedding date is your cut off time if you want to send the documents by mail. You can also email them and bring the original paper documents in 5 days before the wedding date.
MORE WAYS TO ELOPE IN ICELAND
As an Icelandic elopement photographer, I always recommend to couples that they have a symbolic ceremony in Iceland. That means having their legal ceremony and paperwork done in their home country whenever they want.
Why a symbolic elopement ceremony makes sense
A symbolic elopement ceremony means less stress, less paperwork to worry about, and a more cost effective elopement. An officiant is required for a marriage to be legal in Iceland. If you have a symbolic ceremony, not only are you able to have it as intimate as possible and recite your vows in private—but you can also save between $500-$1000 by not hiring an officiant in Iceland.
You can also be more flexible with your actual elopement day and plan it around the weather forecast if the only vendor you have is a photographer. A legal marriage in Iceland means you’ll more than likely have to stick with your picked day, rain or shine.
I am based on the East Coast in the US and whenever I go back home to shoot an elopement, I am there for 7-10 days and typically have no other jobs lined up. This means we can totally play it by ear, and go for a date that makes most sense for your travel itinerary and weather.