Destination
Wedding Information & Requirements
Special Thank you to the Caribbean Tourist Organization
Information
posted June 2004.
Check
country website for more details and updated information
DOCUMENTATION
NEEDED (all in English only)
*Original or certified copy of birth certificate.
* Valid Passports.
* Decree Absolute documents if divorced.
* Confirmatory letter on current status to be
obtained from marriage Registry where the applicant resides or statutory
declaration signed by a Justice of Peace or Notary Public or Solicitor to
prove single status. This declaration only applies to applicants who were
previously married, and to confirm current marital status if divorce has
been granted in the last 5 years.
* Death certificate if spouse died.
* Consent of the father if under the age of 21 years
or mother if father is deceased.
·
Applicants from China, Philippines,
Pakistan and India are to apply one month in
advance for their marriage.
*
Anguilla * Antigua & Barbuda * Aruba
* Bahamas * Barbados * Belize
* Bermuda * Bonaire * British Virgin Islands * Cayman Islands
* Dominica * Dominican Republic * Grenada
* Jamaica * Martinique * Nevis
* Puerto Rico * St Barts * St Eustatius
* St Kitts * St Lucia * St Maarten
* St Martin * St Vincent &
the Grenadines * Trinidad & Tobago * Turks & Caicos Islands * US Virgin Islands
MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS
ANGUILLA
Cost: US $284; US$40
if either party is resident for 15 days prior to date of marriage.
Waiting Period: 2 days.
Requirements: Passport or birth certificate and photo driver’s
license; proof of divorce or death certificate if applicable; proof of residency
in respective country; two witnesses present at the ceremony.
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
Cost: US $240 total
– registration fee $40, special marriage license is US$150, and the Marriage
Officer’s fee is US$50.
Waiting Period: 1 day.
Requirements: Passport or birth certificate and additional
photo ID; proof of divorce or death certificate, if applicable; two witnesses
present at the ceremony; written authorization for parties under 18 (minimum
age to marry is 15.) All documents presented must be original or certified
original by issuing offices. Take documents to Ministry of Justice (8:30am
– 4:30pm Monday to Thursday, 8:00am-3:00pm Fridays), complete application
and wait for approval.
ARUBA
Waiting Period:1 month.
Requirements: Proof of marital status; copies of birth certificates
with raised seal; proof of divorce or death certificate; must hold a valid
passport and submit copies of pages showing relevant details; copies of passport
pages of witnesses. All documents to be submitted at least one month prior
to wedding date. Procedures differ between civil and religious ceremonies,
Visit
http://www.aruba.com/pages/weddingmoon.htm for more information.
BAHAMAS
Cost: US$100 for license.
Waiting Period: 1 day.
Requirements: Both parties must be in the Bahamas at the time
of the application; produce photo identification issued by a Government Office
in the country where the parties reside; evidence of the date of their arrival
in The Bahamas; if either has been divorced, the original final decree or
a certified copy; if widowed, death certificate of deceased spouse; if either
party is a US citizen or resident a declaration certifying this fact must
be sworn before a U.S. Consul at the American Embassy, Nassau, The Bahamas;
if citizen or resident of any other, a declaration certifying this fact must
be sworn before a Notary Public or other person authorized to administer oaths
in that country and must accompany the application for the marriage License.
Marriage licenses are
issued at the office of the Registrar General in Nassau Mondays to Fridays
between the hours of 9:30 am – 4:30pm, Tel: (242) 322-3316, Fax: (242) 322-5553.
Persons desirous of being married in a family Islands (any Island outside
of New Providence) can obtain a Marriage License at the Commissioners’ Office
on that Island and need not come to Nassau.
BARBADOS
Cost: If neither party
is a citizen of Barbados: (US $50 and US $12.50 in Barbados Postage Stamps).
Waiting Period: None.
Requirements: Valid Passports or the original or certified
copies of birth certificates; if either party was divorced, an original Decree
Absolute or a certified copy of the Final Judgment; if either party was previously
married and widowed, a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate and Death
Certificate in respect of the deceased spouse; and where necessary, all documents
not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Application
for a Marriage license must be made by both parties in person at the office
of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
BELIZE
Cost: US $100 for license,
US $5 for Administrative fees.
Waiting Period: 3 days
before applying for marriage license.
Requirements: Proof of Citizenship in the form of an official
government ID card or Passport; photocopies of your passport showing your
picture and date of entry into Belize; proof of Marital status, if widowed
or divorced; marriage license fee.
Two witnesses needed
at the ceremony.
BERMUDA
Cost: US $220.
Waiting Period: Two
weeks prior to wedding, file a Notice of Intended Marriage with the Register
General and pay applicable fees. Application forms can be downloaded from
http://www.bermudatourism.com/default.asp?page=wedding_hm_main.html. License
can be picked up by either party or designated person and will be valid for
3 months.
Requirements: Proof of divorce or death certificate which
must accompany Notice of Intended Marriage.
BONAIRE
Cost: US $150
Waiting Period: 1 week
either bride or groom, or both.
Requirements: Write, at least 2 months in advance, to the Governor
of Bonaire asking for permission to marry on the island. Send the following
with the letter: 3 passport photos each of bride and groom; copies of passports
and birth certificates; proof of good conduct and proof of eligibility to
marry, i.e. divorce papers, death certificates, proof of single status, such
as a letter from a parent or pastor.
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Cost: US $110 in BVI
Postage Stamps if resident for 1 day; US $50 if resident for 15 days or more.
US $35 to be married within Registrar’s Office, US $100 to be married outside.
Waiting Period: 3 days.
Requirements: Passport or birth certificate and photo ID; proof
of divorce or death certificate, if applicable. All documents should be originals
or certified as true copies of the original; 2 witnesses to sign application
form for license and to witness the ceremony (not necessarily if same witnesses
are for both).
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Cost: US $200.
Waiting Period: None.
Requirements: Cayman Islands International Immigration Department
Pink Slip showing proof of entry (receive this from Immigration upon arrival
into the Cayman Islands) or ship boarding passes; valid passports or original
or certified copies of birth certificates along with photo identification;
in the case of second marriages, original or certified copies of divorce or
death certificate; parental consent if under 18 years of age; two witnesses
to be present at the ceremony. Photocopies of documents are not accepted.
CURACAO
Cost: US $167.
Waiting Period: 3 days
residency.
Requirements: Written registration 2 months prior to wedding
date; applicants must be non-Antillean residents; passport and birth certificate
for both parties; return tickets; proof of divorce or death certificate, if
applicable, and proof both parties are eligible for marriage.
DOMINICA
Cost: US $112 for marriage
license, US $1.85 stamps; US $11 for marriages within the registrar’s office
or US $37 marriages outside, US $184 legal fees.
Waiting Period: 2 days.
Requirements:http://www.dominica.dm/weddings.htm.
FRENCH WEST INDIES
Cost: None
Waiting Period: 1 person
in the couple must be a resident for 30 days – residency card is required.
Requirements: Original birth certificate or copy with raised
seal; certificate of good conduct; certificate of single standing; residency
card; medical certificate issued within 3 months of event; French translation
of English all language documents. Blood test required.
GRENADA
Cost: US $15.
Waiting Period: 5 days;
2 - 3 working days to process application.
Requirements: Passports and original birth certificates of
both parties; Deed Poll if either party had a name change; original divorce
or death certificate, if applicable; proof of single status (letter from lawyer
stating individual have the legal right to get married); affidavit of parental
consent if either party is under 21 years. All documents must be submitted
in English, if original is in another language, it must be translated and
certified.
GUYANA
Cost: US $2.
Waiting Period: 15
days for non-residents, 48 hours if one party is a resident.
Requirements: Completed and notarized marriage request form;
copies of birth certificates or passports.
HAITI
Cost: None.
Waiting Period: None.
Requirements: Birth certificates of each party, proof of divorce
or death of spouse if applicable, and blood test.
Cost: US $75-$80.
Waiting Period: 24
hours if application for marriage license is made prior to arrival on island
– contact Ministry of National Security at 1-876-906-4908.
Requirements: Proof of citizenship - certified copy of birth
certificate, which includes father’s name; parent’s written consent if under
18 years of age; proof of divorce if applicable (original certificate of divorce;
certified copy of death certificate for widow or widower.
MARTINIQUE
Cost: None.
Waiting Period: Must
be in residence at least 1 month prior to wedding day.
Requirements: Birth certificate with visa of Consulate translated
into French; pre-marital certificate translated into French; document certifying
single status translated into French; valid passports.
MONTSERRAT
Cost: US $200 in Montserrat
stamps.
Waiting Period: 3 working
days.
Requirements: Passports and birth certificates of both parties;
proof of divorce or death certificate, if applicable; non-Marriage Certificate;
citizens under 18 years of age need parent or guardian’s consent.
NEVIS
Cost: US$80 in stamps
after residing 2 working days; $20 if already resident 15 days.
Waiting Period: Minimum
2 working days.
Requirements: Valid passports or birth certificates and state
issued photo ID; an affidavit from the notary republic for those who have
never been married; proof of divorce or death certificate; letter from minister
stating couple is known and unmarried. Application to be completed in presence
of a justice of the peace
PUERTO RICO
Cost: US $2 stamp fee
for certified copy of license.
Waiting Period: None.
Requirements: Picture identification - non-US citizens require
passport; two witnesses over age 21 must be present; original birth certificate
of children born during previous marriages and/or children born to the couple
to be married prior to their marriage; proof of divorce or death certificate,
if applicable; documented parental consent if either party is under 21; health
certificate from a resident practitioner in Puerto Rico; Blood test required.
VDRL test – no later than 10 days prior.
ST. EUSTATIUS
Cost: US $20 from census
office, or US$58.30 from outside courthouse
Waiting Period: 2 weeks.
Requirements: Birth certificates; proof of single status;
divorce papers, if applicable; residence permit from the Immigration Department;
passport photos.
ST. KITTS & NEVIS
Cost: US$80 for Ordinary
License fees (after residing 2 working days); $20 for Special License fees
(after residing 15 days) resident for two days.
Waiting Period: 2 working
days.
Requirements: Canadian and American citizens: birth certificate
with photo I.D. or citizenship card. All other citizens: valid passport. Proof
of divorce or death certificate, if applicable; if Catholic priest to perform
ceremony, letter from home priest stating couple is unmarried; If Anglican/Episcopal,
or other minister of religion to perform ceremony, letter stating couple
is known and unmarried; documents not in English must be translated and notarized;
if any party under 18 years of age, notarized letter indicating parental
consent.
ST. LUCIA
Cost: Approximately
US $198.
Waiting Period: 2 days
residency; 2 days for license.
Requirements: Birth certificates or passports; if names have
been changed, copy of Deed Poll; in the case of a widow/widower death certificate
of former spouse; Decree Absolute if either party has been divorced; if either
party under 18 years of age, evidence of consent from parents in form of notarized
affidavit; authenticated translation of all documents not in English.
ST. MAARTEN (DUTCH)
Cost: US $276
Waiting Period: 10
days to register at Office of Civil Registry; waiting period is 3 days.
Requirements: Non residents: special permission must be obtained
from the Lt. Governor; a written request must be sent to the office at least
2 months prior to intended wedding date; passport, birth certificate and airline
tickets; names, dates and birthplaces of bride and grooms’ parents must be
on birth certificates; parents’ places of residence must be submitted to
the Office of Civil Registry. These documents must be notarized; Non-resident
witnesses must request a temporary tourist permit from the Lt. Governor; Documented
parental consent for citizens under age 21; proof of divorce or death certificate,
if applicable; all documents must be in Dutch or translated into Dutch by
a sworn official and notarized.
ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES:
Cost: US $185.00 for
marriage license, US $8 in stamps.
Waiting Period: 1 day
before acquiring marriage license.
Requirements: Passport; Divorce Decree if applicable; Death
Certificate of deceased spouse if applicable; Application must be made in
person at the Ministry of Legal Affairs
SURINAME
Cost: US $8.
Requirements: 1 of the parties must have residency status.
Birth certificates; proof of unmarried status; ceremony must be performed
by an official of the Civil Registry.
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Cost: US $55.
Waiting Period: Three
days residence before applying for License.
Requirements: Passport and airline tickets; if divorced, original
or notarized copy of degree absolute; if widowed, original deaths certificate
of spouse; Deed poll or other proofs of name change where name differs on
documents
TURKS & CAICOS
Cost: US $50.
Waiting Period: 24
hours to establish residency, plus 2-3 days to process license.
Requirements: original Birth Certificates; proof of status
- if single a sworn affidavit is required; original or notarized copy of Decree
Absolute sealed by the Clerk of the Court if either party is divorced; Death
Certificate in Widow/Widower; Deed Poll or Adoption proof in case of change
of name; if under the age of 21 years then evidence is required as consent
of one or both partner or guardian in the form of an affidavit stamped by
the Notary Public; the parties must not be within the prohibited degree of
relationships to each other; letter stating both parties occupations, marital
status, age as of last birthday, present address of residence and fathers
full name; for church weddings most Ministers require proof of membership;
the marriage must be solemnized by a registrar or Marriage Officer (usually
the Registrar General for Special Licenses) who is entitled to payment of
reasonable traveling expenses if the marriage takes place outside his usual
place of business. All Passports or documentation written in any language
other than English should be translated in advance and notarized by the applicable
consulate.
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Cost: US $50, US $200
fee to be married in the court by a judge. Payment to be made by money order
or cashier’s check.
Waiting Period: 8 days
from receipt of notarized application - couple need not be on-island.
Requirements: Send a letter requesting a marriage license to
the Territorial court of the U.S. Virgin Islands in St. Thomas or St. Croix
(upon return receipt of the notarized application, an 8-day waiting period
begins.) Letter accompanying Application for Marriage must state date of
visit, length of stay, and preference of date if having ceremony performed
by a Judge so an appointment can be made; proof of divorce must also be supplied,
if applicable; appointment to be married by a judge must be made.