After being the first country in the world to introduce registered partnership in 1989 Denmark has finally caught up with the many countries that have introduces full same-sex marriage.

A vast majority in the Danish parliament passed the law June 7th and it came into force June 15th 2012. Only one of parties in parliament – The Danish Peoples Party voted as a group against the law, but also a few single members of the Conservative and the Liberal parties did so.

Both municipalities and national churches have the right and duty to marry a couple, but the individual priest can refuse the task – but then the church is obliged to find another priest. Also other churches have the right to marry.

The law on registered partnership has been cancelled, but remains in force for the couple already registered according to the law. A registered couple can choose the change their partnership into a marriage.