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. The processing time also depends on how quickly you pay the possible processing fee. Processing can also become congested if there are many applications at once.
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 7.2.2023.
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 2-5 weeks.
The processing of a certificate issued for a marriage ceremony outside Finland takes an average of 1 week.
Processing times
Notification of a child's name
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3 weeks
Confirming the acknowledgement of paternity and annulling husband's paternity
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5 days
Confirming the acknowledgement of maternity
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7 days
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 may 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 may 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.
Processing time
- 10 days.
- The processing time starts from the date of moving.
- Read more about the processing of the notification of move in the Frequently asked section.
Processing time
Permissions of the guardianship authority
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1–2 months
Appointments of the guardianship
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4 months
In case of an application being filed to the District Court, the processing time will be longer than stated above.
Annual statements
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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.
Processing time
Registration of an international worker
- 2 weeks.
Fast track service for specialists and growth entrepreneurs (Talentboost)
- 2 days.
Registration of an international student
- 2 weeks.
Registration of a foreigner
- 12 weeks.
We are currently registering municipality of residence faster. We will not send a separate confirmation. You will receive a confirmation of registration once your other personal information and family relations are also recorded to the Finnish population information system. Applications received on 9.1.2023 are currently being processed for municipality of residence registration (information updated on 7.2.2023).
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 1 week + mail delivery time.
- The processing time for orders sent via e-mail and Lomake.fi form, 1 week.