Average processing times of services for private customers

The processing time shown on this page is the current average for personal customer applications for which no additional clarifications are required.  
Some applications are processed somewhat faster than the average, and some slower. A longer than average processing time is often due to the fact that the application lacked information or attachments, and they were requested from the applicant. Processing can also become congested if there are many applications at once.

The processing time also depends on how quickly you pay the processing fee. However, the payment of the processing fee does not have any impact on the processing times of the reports on family relationships and certificates ordered from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency because they are only invoiced after we have processed your order.

In the e-service Certificates from the Population Information System you can order several certificates and get access to them immediately.

The processing times are updated twice a month, most recently 15.5.2023.

Marriage and partnerships

The examination of impediments to marriage

Processing times

The examination of impediments to marriage takes at least 7 days. At the moment, the processing time is 1-2 weeks. If one of the spouses is a foreigner, the processing may take several weeks. At the moment, the processing time is 3-5 weeks.

The processing of a certificate issued for a marriage ceremony outside Finland takes an average of 3-4 weeks.

Registering a prenuptial agreement

Processing times

  • 2-3 weeks

Having or adopting a child

Processing times

Notification of a child's name

  • 6 weeks.

Confirming the acknowledgement of paternity and annulling husband's paternity

  • 5 days.

Confirming the acknowledgement of maternity

  • 7 days

Names

Processing times

Changing forename

If you have submitted the application in the electronic name change service, the processing time is 6-10 weeks. The processing time for other applications depends on how quickly you pay the application fee. In that case, the processing time is 2-5 months. The processing may take longer if we request an additional explanation from you or a statement from the Names Board.

Changing surname

When you are applying for a surname that you have previously used

If you have submitted the application in the electronic name change service, the processing time is 6-10 weeks. The processing time for other applications depends on how quickly you pay the application fee. In that case, the processing will take 2-5 months. The processing will take longer if we request an additional explanation from you for your application.

When you are applying for a surname that you have not used previously

The average processing time is currently 2-5 months. The processing time depends on how quickly you pay the application fee and provide the required documents. The processing will take longer if we request a statement from the Names Board.

Changing surname upon marriage 

You can ask our marriage experts about the processing times.

Notification of a child´s name

You can find the processing times on our Notification of a child´s name page.

Registration of a move

Processing time

Guardianship and continuing power of attorney

Processing time

Permissions of the guardianship authority

  • 1–2 months

Appointments of the guardianship

  • 4 months

In case of an application being filed to the District Court, the processing time will be longer than stated above.

Annual statements

  • The audit of the 2021 annual statements is still in progress. Don't worry if you haven't gotten your audited statement back yet - you will get it as soon as we've verified it. We apologize for the delay.

    Please note that the annual statement for 2022 must be completed on time, i.e. no later than 31 March 2023, even if you have not yet received the audited statement for 2021. You can submit the annual statement and its attachments most easily using the online form.

Registration of a foreigner

Processing time

Registration of a foreigner, fast track service for specialists and growth entrepreneurs

  • 1–5 days.

Registration of a foreigner, employed or self-employed person

  • 1–2 weeks.

Registration of a foreigner, student

  • 4 weeks

Registration of a foreigner, other; personal identity code and municipality of residence

  • 4–6 weeks.

Registration of a foreigner, other; personal identity code and temporary address

  • 5–6 weeks.

Registration of a municipality of residence for a person arriving from Ukraine

Processing time

  • 2 weeks by online form.
  • 3–4 weeks by paper form.

Registration of family relations abroad (for example marriage, divorce, parenthood)

Processing time

  • 7-10 weeks.

Certificates from the Population Information System

Processing times 

  • You can get an online certificate for use in Finland immediately through the self-service.
  • Ordered through the self-service for use abroad, the processing time for certificates sent by mail is 2 week + mail delivery time.
  • The processing time for orders sent via e-mail and Lomake.fi form, 1 week.

 

Report on family relationships

Processing time

  • 3 weeks

Death and estate inventory deed

Certification of the shareholders in an estate inventory deed

Processing time

  • 7 weeks.

European Certificate of Succession

Processing time

  • 3 weeks

Registration of a death

Processing time

  • 2 days

Non-disclosure for personal safety

Processing time

  • 11 days