Wedding Legal Requirements
ANGUILLA
Requirements:
The same documents needed to enter Anguilla are required marriage documents. Proof of citizenship (i.e. valid passport, driver’s license with photo, or a birth certificate)
2nd Weddings: Proof of divorce or death certificate is required
Application: Must be completed in person
Notice Period: None
Residency Period: None
Waiting Period: 2 days on the island
Language: English
Fees (US Dollars): If one partner resides in Anguilla for at least fifteen days before the date of marriage, the cost of the license is $40; if the stay is shorter, the cost of the license is $284 stamp duty.
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
Requirements:
An affidavit obtained in Antigua, stating that both parties are single and free to marry. Birth certificates, passports, and the special marriage license.
2nd Weddings: Proof of divorce or death certificate is required
Application: Must be completed in person
Notice Period: None
Residency Period: Residency of 3 days prior to the ceremony
Waiting Period: None
Language: English
Fees (US Dollars): Special marriage license – $150; Registration fee – $40; Marriage Officer’s fee – $50
ARUBA
General Info:
Civil marriages must take place at the Civil Town House. Wedding ceremonies in Aruba can take place in the late morning or early afternoon on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays. Saturdays are also available in the late mornings for an additional cost. Application must be submitted one month prior to wedding date.
Requirements:
Certified copies of birth certificates
Government issued photo ID
A single status report
2nd Weddings: Proof of divorce or death certificate is required
Application:
The registrar’s office should be contacted for specific rules regarding planning your destination or beach wedding in Aruba. They will also provide information regarding marriage licenses and marriage certificates.
Notice Period: 1 month
Residency Period: None
Waiting Period: 1 day to approve all documents prior to wedding date
Language: English
Fees (US Dollars): Marriage certificate – $20.00, $32.00 (Depending on the quality of the booklet); Saturday, holiday, or after hours ceremonies – $150; Weekday ceremonies – $80
BAHAMAS
General Info:
Non-US residents must be sworn in by an individual authorized to administer oaths in the country of residence. They will declare certification to the unmarried status.
Requirements:
Government issued photo ID issued from the country of residence
Evidence of arrival in Bahamas
An affidavit stating the couples’ single status and their intent to marry
2nd Weddings: Proof of divorce or death certificate is required
Parental consent if any party is under 18 years of age
Application: Must be completed in person
Notice Period: None
Residency Period: 1 day
Waiting Period: None
Language: English
Fees (US Dollars): Nominal fee – $40; Marriage license – $100; Marriage certificate – $25
BARBADOS
General Info:
No waiting period or minimum length of stay is required.
Requirements:
A valid passport or certified Birth Certificate
Proof of arrival in Barbados and return flight
2nd Weddings: Proof of divorce or death certificate is required
If either party is adopted the adoption certificate must be produced
Parental consent for parties under the age of 18
Application: must be made in person by both parties at the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Notice Period: None
Residency Period: None
Waiting Period: None
Language: English
Fees (BDS dollars): For non-citizen or resident $150 BDS + $25 BDS for the stamp
BELIZE
General Info:
All documents must be certified and submitted to licensing authorities. Faxed applications are not accepted. Services are conducted by an ordained Belizean Pastor.
Requirements:
Notarized marriage license application form
Photocopy of the front 2 pages of passport (including page proving arrival date into Belize)
Written parental consent if either party is under the age of 18
Valid passports
2 witnesses
Original or certified copies of birth certificates
2nd Weddings: Proof of divorce or death certificate is required
Application: Must be completed in person
Notice Period: None
Residency Period: A minimum of 3 days
Waiting Period: Allow 3 days for processing
Language: English
Fees (US Dollars): Marriage license – $250; Administrative fee – $5
BERMUDA
General Info:
The couple must obtain the Notice of Intended Marriage form at the Bermuda Registrar General’s Office. It can also be printed from the online PDF form however it must be printed on white legal 8.5″ x 14″ sized paper. License will be valid for 3 months, and can be picked up at the Registrar’s office by either party or a designated person.
Requirements:
Completed Notice of Intended Marriage form
Valid government issued ID (passport)
2nd Weddings: Proof of divorce or death certificate is required
Application: Must be completed in perso
Notice Period: None
Residency Period: None
Waiting Period: None
Language: English
Fees (US Dollars): Notice of Intended marriage – $210.00; Marriage certificate – $21.00
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
General Info: Marriage licences will be valid for 3 months.
Requirements:
Couple must be in the BVI for 15 days or more in order to apply for a marriage license.
If the couple is in the BVI for less than 15 days, they must apply for a special marriage licence.
Government issued Photo ID proving residential status
Proof of entry to the BVI such as a passport, birth certificate, etc
A letter from a minister or civil marriage officer who is performing the marriage stating their intent.
An appointment with the registrar must be made immediately after the ceremony after applying for a license
2nd Weddings: Proof of divorce or death certificate is required
Application: In person at the Attorney General Chambers of the BVI Government
Notice Period: None
Residency Period: 3 days
Waiting Period: 2 days on the island
Language: English
Fees (US Dollars): Notice of Intended marriage – $210.00; Marriage certificate – $21.00
CAYMAN ISLANDS
General Info:
Couples can marry the same day they arrive in the Cayman Islands.
Requirements:
Marriage application form
Cayman Islands international embarkation /disembarkation card showing proof of entry
Government issued photo ID including valid passports or certified copies of birth certificates
2nd Weddings: Proof of divorce or death certificate is required (bring the original or certified copy)
Application: Must be completed in person
Notice Period: None
Residency Period: None
Waiting Period: None
Language: English
Fees (US Dollars): Application fee for the License including stamp duty – $250
COSTA RICA
General Info: The marriage will not be recognized until a marriage certificate is issued by the Costa Rican Civil Registry
Requirements:
For first weddings, couple must go to the Embassy’s Consular Section and make a sworn statement. The Costa Rican marriage certificate is written in Spanish and must be translated by an official translator of the Ministry of Foreign Relations to English. The certificate also must be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Relations. The marriage certificate must be notarized and signed by the Embassy’s Consular Section
Valid passports
Certified copies of the birth certificates
2nd Weddings: Proof of divorce or death certificate is required
Application: Must be completed in person
Notice Period: None
Residency Period: None
Waiting Period: None
Language: Spanish
Fees (US Dollars): Marriage certificate – $250
CUBA
General Info:
All weddings in Cuba are performed by a Notary Public.
Requirements:
A valid passport, a tourist card, and certified birth certificates
Legally translated documents by the Cuban consulate in Canada
2nd Weddings: Proof of divorce or death certificate is required
The couple must create a sheet that lists their names, addresses, occupations, levels of education, nationality and the full names of their parents (living or deceased). Then, they must attach the photo page of their passport. The couple then is required to fax the documents in both English and Spanish to the hotel in Cuba in which they are staying at least three weeks before your arrival there.
Application: Must be completed in person
Notice Period: None
Waiting Period: None
Language: Spanish
Fees (US Dollars): Service fee applies for translating documents to Spanish
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Requirements:
Valid passports and original birth certificates that includes the parent’s names
A Single Status Affidavit translated in Spanish
2nd Weddings: Proof of divorce or death certificate is required (must be legalized by the Legalisation Section of the Dominican Consulate)
Application: In person or by mail to the Dominican Republic Consulate
Notice Period: 15 days
Residency Period: None
Waiting Period: None
Language: Spanish
Fees (US Dollars): Legalization $75.00 per document; translation services for these documents can cost $40.00 per document
Contact for Translation Services:
Dominican Republic Services
2727 Steeles Ave. W., Ste. 301
Toronto, Ontario M3J 3G9
Phone: (416) 739-1237 Fax: (416) 663-1973
E-mail: consuldom@hotmail.com
www.dominicanrepublicservices.com
GRENADA
Requirements:
Valid passports
Birth certificates
Proof of Single Status via affidavit, or a letter on an official letterhead attesting that the individual has not been previously married.
Parental consent is required in the form of an affidavit if either party is under the age of 21.
Application: Must be completed in person
Notice Period: None
Residency Period: 3 days
Waiting Period: Minimum 2 days
Language: English
Fees (US Dollars): Marriage License – $12
HAWAII
Requirements: The couple must complete the marriage license application and have the minister sign the application at the wedding ceremony. Following the ceremony, the minister will then send the license to the Department of Health for processing. Parental consent is required in the form of an affidavit if either party is under the age of 21
Application: Must be completed in person
Notice Period: None
Residency Period: None
Waiting Period: None
Language: English
Fees (US Dollars): $60 Marriage License fee; $10 to request a copy of the license
HONDURAS
Requirements:
A medical report stating that each party is in good physical condition and has had a HIV test
An affidavit where the couple express the desire to marry one another
Birth certificates
Valid passports
2nd Weddings: Proof of divorce or death certificate is required
Parental consent for parties under the age of 21
Application: Contact for further instruction
Notice Period: None
Residency Period: Paperwork must be received 10 days prior the wedding
Waiting Period: None
Language: English
Fees (US Dollars): N/A
JAMAICA
Requirements:
Proof of citizenship (valid passport or certified birth certificate)
Written parental consent for those under 18 years of age
2nd Weddings: Proof of divorce or death of previous spouse required
Application: Must be completed in person
Notice Period: None
Residency Period: None
Waiting Period: 24 hours
Language: English
Fees (US Dollars): Marriage license – $80; Marriage officer’s charge – $50-$250
MEXICO
Requirements:
Valid passports and/or tourist cards
Blood test (done onsite at hotel)
4 witnesses
2nd Weddings: Proof of divorce or death of previous spouse is required (must be certified copies)
Parties under age 18 need parental consent including the names, addresses, ages, nationalities & tourist card numbers of four witnesses.
Application: Must be completed in person
Notice Period: None
Residency Period: None
Waiting Period: The couple should plan to be in Mexico 4 days prior to the wedding, so that all documents are given enough time to be translated to Spanish
Language: Spanish
Fees (US Dollars): Marriage license – $230
PANAMA
Requirements:
Certified birth certificates (Authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate in the country from where they are leaving. Then it must be taken to the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores in Panama to be authenticated)
Medical Certificate – issued by a Panamanian doctor within 15 days prior of wedding
Valid Passport
Application: Contact for further instruction
Notice Period: None
Residency Period: None
Waiting Period: 15 days for medical certificate
Language: English
Fees (US Dollars): N/A
PUERTO RICO
Requirements:
Government issued photo ID
The marriage application form
Blood test
Parental consent for parties under the age of 18
2nd Weddings: Proof of divorce or death of previous spouse is required
An affidavit stating you are not a resident of Puerto Rico and the sole purpose of your visit is to get married there
Application: Contact for further instruction
Notice Period: None
Residency Period: None
Waiting Period: A doctor in Puerto Rico must evaluate the blood test and will sign the marriage application upon approval
Language: Spanish
Fees (US Dollars): 2 licensed stamps must be purchased at – $30
ST. LUCIA
Requirements:
Valid passports
Original certified birth certificates
Written parental consent if either of the parties are under the age of 18.
2nd Weddings: Proof of divorce or death of previous spouse is required
Application: Can be completed in person or a local Solicitor can apply for a licence on your behalf.
Notice Period: 2 days
Residency Period: 2 days
Waiting Period: None
Language: English
Fees (US Dollars): Marriage license – $276
TURKS AND CAICOS
Requirements:
Valid passport
Original certified birth certificates
Proof of single status
Written parental consent if either of the parties are under the age of 21
2nd Weddings: Proof of divorce or death of previous spouse is required
Application: Must be completed in person
Notice Period: None
Residency Period: 24 hours
Waiting Period: Marriage licences may take 2 or 3 days to obtain
Language: English
Fees (US Dollars): Marriage License – $50
US VIRGIN ISLANDS
Requirements:
Marriage license application form (must be completed at the US Virgin Islands Territorial Courts and notarized)
Passport and visa (if you are not a US citizen)
An affidavit is required to be married under the age of 18
2nd Weddings: Proof of divorce or death certificate required
Application: Must be completed in person
Notice Period: None
Residency Period: None
Waiting Period: 8 Days (The couple does not need to be on the island during this time). The application must be sent to the court 8 days prior to wedding
Language: English
Fees (US Dollars): Marriage application – $50; Civil marriage (performed by judge or clergy) – $200
VENEZUELA AND MARGARITA ISLAND
General Info:
The law in Venezuela states that a marriage must comply with the laws set out in the Civic Code
Requirements:
Valid Passports with current Venezuelan visa (if applicable) and certified birth certificate
All documents must be translated into Spanish and certified
2-4 witnesses (depending on where the marriage is performed)
2nd Weddings: proof of divorce or death of previous spouse is required
A single status report
Application: Can be completed in person or all the proper documents can be mailed
Notice Period: None
Residency Period: None
Waiting Period: None
Language: Spanish