Avioliitto ja parisuhde

Getting married is legal for everyone who is

• over 18 years of age
• not married or in a registered relationship

People who are under 18 can get married with the consent of the Ministry of Justice.

More information on marriage is available on the website of the Ministry of Justice (oikeusministeriö). The Ministry of Justice website also contains a brochure on the Marriage Act in Finnish, Swedish and English. The Local Register Office website contains information on the marrying of foreign citizens in Finland in Finnish, Swedish and English.

The brochure on the Ministry of Justice website contains information on how your last name may change when you marry. The brochure also offers information on a child’s last name and how it can be changed.

Pre-nuptial agreement can be made either before the marriage takes place or during the marriage, if you wish to make one. Pre-nuptial agreements can be made, for example, to the effect that neither party has a right over the property of the other. Click herefor a model of a pre-nuptial agreement. The Local Register Office website contains information on the pre-nuptial agreement in Finnish.

In Finland, two people of the same sex can make their relationship official. More information on the topic is available on the websites of the Ministry of Justice.

Information on legalising a partnership of foreigners is available in the following languages:

Finnish
Swedish

SETA in English