english marrying finnish...in finland???

Joel P · Post by **Joel P** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 10:01 pm

I'm supposed to be getting married to my Finnish girlfriend is just over 8 weeks. I say 'supposed' because I have just been informed that I would have to be confirmed before a church marriage is legal. I made enquiries regarding this matter but was told that I would need a certificate of church membership. What does that mean???

Can anyone ease my mind and tell me what the situation is.

As I understood it I needed a certificate of non-impediment, a birth certificate and documentation of my baptism...all of which I have...just have to get them legalised. The confirmation/church membership thing has me slightly concerned.

Any info would be appreciated as I have plenty of relatives flying out to a wedding that may not happen....plus a girlfriend whos gonna be real upset. Scary huh!

**Sponsor:**

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 10:10 pm

If you want a "Finnish Church Wedding" you need to have been gotten a "marriage permit" as we say !& when you go to some sunday school camp and get your first comminion. If you have not had this done its a bit hairier.

Nothing prevents you 2 to go to the magistrate, get married there (by signing a document) and then getting a "blessing" in the church. The Blessing is the same as marriage ceremony any normal lay person cannot discern the difference in the wording.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 11:59 am

Hi Joel,

Don't panic. I'm also British and was able to marry in a Finnish church.
All I needed was something showing that I belonged to a church and my baptism certificate was enough.
I think it really depends on the official involved (representative of the church) and we had a rather awkward person. He was also insisting on some other documentation like confirmation certificate and I was planning to ask for a letter from my home church just stating that I did belong to the church. After much questioning of the official about what was really needed, he relented and said that the baptism certificate was enough.

Good luck and just be persistent,
Julie.

Joel P · Post by **Joel P** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 12:50 pm

Thanks for easing my mind. The last few days has been a bit of a nightmare trying to find out what is needed as nobody seems to have a definitive answer but from what you say I should have the required documents and certificates.

Thanks for putting my mind at rest.

alloydog · Post by **alloydog** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 12:52 pm

It wasn't even that complicated for me - the local church office just asked for a certificate of baptism & that was that.

I suppose when you live out in the sticks, away from the 'big city' they're greatful for anything that adds diversity to the local gene pool...

Keke · Post by **Keke** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 7:30 pm

I got married in a Finnish church in Turku back in 1994. The only document I supplied was a certificate from my local Anglican church in the UK stating that my 'Banns of Marriage' had been read and that there was no known impediment to marriage. The Finnish vicar that married us seemed happy with that.

I am an active church member (not been confirmed though). However, the vicar didn't ask for a confirmation certificate or baptism certificate. Perhaps it does depend on the vicar in question?!

paulkris · Post by **paulkris** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 9:09 pm

As we got married in Oulu 1997, we had a similar problem with my British husband to be. As we were not regular church goes in UK, we were not able to get a suitable paper or letter from a Christian church there. He was not confirmed either and did not want to do it for the sake of wedding. I contacted the Head of Church in Oulu area (Oulun hiippakunta) and he said that my partner's personal letter stating his belief to God would be enough. And it was.

Anttinewby · Post by **Anttinewby** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 10:40 pm

I'm an Irish Catholic - got married to a Finn in Finland but although I am actually confirmed I never had to show any proof of this. I'm sure it won't be a problem, as long as the other spouse is a 'member' of the Church in which you are planning to get married. Good luck!!

Alicia · Post by **Alicia** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 9:23 am

You can always have a church blessing and fix the Mr. and Mrs. bit up either before or after. I am already married as such, but we are having a church blessing here to please the relatives and have a big party in two years time. We just went to the magistrate one afternoon and said yes. The church doesn't mind too much.

chick · Post by **chick** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 3:09 pm

there is also this web forum called http://www.naimisiin.info (it is in finnish but they have a forum section for multicultural couples- you could try to find the answer for your questions from there.

Finland Forum

Find information about moving to, living in and life in Finland