What is the examination of impediments to marriage?

Examination of impediments to marriage

The examination of impediments to marriage has legal significance and is mandatory for a couple to be able to marry. The application is made jointly to the local tax authority in the county where either party is registered.

As part of the examination of impediments to marriage, you will be given a form on which you must declare, on your honour, that there are no legal impediments to your marriage. The Swedish Tax Agency checks the information on the form against its register. If no impediments are found, a certificate confirming that the examination of impediments to marriage has taken place is issued. The couple then submit this certificate to the officiant. The certificate is valid for 4 months.

An examination of impediments to marriage conducted by an authority in any of the other Nordic countries is also valid in Sweden.

Requirements for the examination of impediments to marriage to be approved

Marriage may not be contracted between persons who are related to one another in the direct line of descent or ascent, or who are full siblings. Half-siblings may not marry one another without the permission of the Government or the authority designated by the Government.

If you are under 18, you must obtain permission from your legal guardian and the county administrative board in the county where you reside. A person who is married may not enter into a new marriage. If you have been married previously, you must therefore provide proof that the marriage has been dissolved.

Examination of impediments to marriage abroad

Where the marriage is to take place before a Swedish officiant abroad, the examination of impediments to marriage may be carried out at a Swedish embassy or consulate.

Foreign nationals

When foreign nationals wish to marry before a Swedish authority, their eligibility to marry is assessed in accordance with the law of their home country. Otherwise, the marriage risks being invalid in that country. The couple should contact the embassy of the country in which they wish the marriage to be recognised to find out what is required.

When applying for the examination of impediments to marriage for foreign nationals, the couple must, in accordance with the Government’s proclamation, among other things, produce a certificate from the competent authority in the foreign state confirming that there are no legal impediments to marriage under its laws.

There are exceptions to the above rules, for example where a foreign national has lived in Sweden for more than two years.

» Further information on marriage rules is available from the Swedish Tax Agency.

We accept no liability for any inaccuracies or changes that may arise.

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