What conditions must I meet to get married in Iceland?
It depends — the core conditions are that both parties are 18, unmarried and not close relatives, and that the district commissioner confirms nothing stands in the way. Under the Marriage Act no. 31/1993, two people may marry once they have reached 18 years of age, whether of the same or opposite sex. The ministry used to be able to grant an exemption so that people under 18 could marry, but that power was abolished in 2022 — the myth that a 16- or 17-year-old can marry with a parent's or minister's permission is therefore out of date and wrong. Before the ceremony, the district commissioner (sýslumaður) carries out an examination of marriage conditions, and since 1 September 2022 commissioners handle that check exclusively — priests and religious leaders no longer do. You must submit a certificate in which two witnesses confirm there is no legal impediment to the marriage. Neither party may already be in a marriage or registered cohabitation, and you may not marry a direct ascendant or descendant or a sibling.
📋 The rules
- Marriage Act no. 31/1993: two people may marry once they reach 18 years of age, regardless of sex.
- The exemption that let people under 18 marry was abolished in 2022; the ministry no longer grants such permission.
- Before the wedding, the district commissioner carries out the examination of marriage conditions, and since 1 September 2022 commissioners do this exclusively.
- You must provide a certificate in which two witnesses confirm there is no legal impediment to the marriage.
- Neither party may already be married or in registered cohabitation, and you may not marry a direct ascendant or descendant or a sibling.
🔓 Exceptions
- A marriage entered into abroad where one spouse was under 18 is generally not recognised here, unless circumstances are special and the person was at least 16.
- A person who lacks legal competence needs a guardian's consent, and if the guardian refuses, the district commissioner may decide whether to allow the marriage.
- Although the check is done by the commissioner, the ceremony itself may be either civil (before the commissioner) or religious (before a priest or registered congregation official).
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Getting married is not a criminal matter, but the conditions are absolute and the consequences of not meeting them are real. If the statutory conditions are not met, the wedding simply cannot go ahead — the commissioner will not issue the certificate and no official may perform the ceremony. If a marriage is nonetheless performed against the law, for example when one party is already married (bigamy), the marriage may be void and can be annulled by a court. The hidden cost often lies in weddings abroad: a couple who marry overseas where one was under 18 later discover that Iceland does not recognise the marriage, which affects registration in the national registry, inheritance rights, residence permits and taxation. A flawed or incomplete check can also delay the wedding by weeks, because documents must be gathered again. Finally, marriage automatically creates a mutual duty of support and a marital property regime, so it pays to know exactly what the ceremony entails before you enter into it.
📎 Official sources
- Althingi · Marriage Act no. 31/1993 →
- Government of Iceland · 2022 amendments to the Marriage Act (age of spouses) →
- Ísland.is · District Commissioners (marriage and the conditions check) →
❓ Frequently asked
How old must I be to get married in Iceland?
You must have reached 18 years of age, because the Marriage Act no. 31/1993 ties the marriage age to the age of majority and makes no exception for younger people. The exemption that previously let under-18s marry with the ministry's permission was abolished in 2022, so neither parents nor the authorities can any longer approve a marriage of younger people here.
Can a priest still check whether we may marry?
No, since 1 September 2022 district commissioners alone carry out the examination of marriage conditions, and priests and religious leaders no longer do. The priest or officiant can still perform the ceremony itself once the commissioner has issued the certificate confirming that the conditions are met.
Who is not allowed to marry each other?
You may not marry a direct ascendant or descendant, such as a parent and child, nor a sibling, and neither party may already be in a marriage or registered cohabitation with someone else. If one party is already married, the new marriage counts as bigamy and can be void, and it may also be an offence under the penal code.
What is the certificate and who are the witnesses?
The certificate is the district commissioner's confirmation that the couple meets every marriage condition, and without it the ceremony may not take place. During the check, two witnesses who know the couple must confirm in writing that they are not aware of any lawful impediment to the marriage.
Is a marriage we entered into abroad valid here?
As a rule a marriage lawfully entered into abroad is recognised in Iceland, but not if one spouse was under 18 at the wedding. In that case the marriage is generally not recognised here unless circumstances are special and the person was at least 16, which can affect registration, inheritance rights and residence permits.
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