Marriage Laws for Destination Weddings Outside the USA

If you are planning a destination wedding in the Caribbean, it's essential to know what you will have to do in order to be legally wed. Marriage laws, requirements and costs vary from country to country in the islands.

Below you can get an idea of what it takes to acquire a marriage license in many popular destinations. Know that prices and requirements can and do change. That's why there are links to island sources for the latest info.

Can You Get Married on the Spur of the Moment?

Magnificent sunsets and romantic nights might inspire you to tie the knot without much forethought. And it may be possible. On some islands, a brief waiting time or multi-day residency is required. Almost all require legal proof of who you are and that you are single if you'd been married before. So if you think you might want to make it legal, carry your paperwork with you.

If you believe that it will take too much time or be too complicated to marry away but still want to celebrate vows overseas, consider having a symbolic wedding. In that instance, you can get married at home, then go through the ceremony in your destination knowing you're already legally wed.

Anguilla

Proof of citizenship from the country where you reside is required such as valid passport or birth certificate and photo driver’s license is required
Proof of divorce or death certificate if applicable
All documents must be in English, if not, they must be translated and notarized
Couples can marry under the authority of a special marriage license
Application can be obtained from the Judicial Department and takes 48 hours to process
Two witnesses are required for the ceremony
Special requirements apply for Catholic marriages. Couples seeking a Catholic marriage must give three to six months advance notice, participate in a pre-cana course and submit baptismal certificate, confirmation papers and freedom to marry papers

If one of the partners has resided in Anguilla for at least 15 days before the date of marriage, the cost of the license is US $40. If the couple’s stay is shorter, the cost is US $244, which includes a stamp duty
Anguilla Wedding License Info

Antigua & Barbuda

No waiting period
Valid legal identification (i.e. passport or driver’s license/state issued identification + birth certificate) required
Proof of divorce (deed poll or name certificate where necessary) or death certificate (original or certified copies)
If you are staying at a resort, consult with the manager to help you make arrangements to secure your marriage license
US $240 (includes marriage license, marriage officer fees & registration fee
Two witnesses must be present at the ceremony

Written authorization needed for parties under 18
Antigua Wedding info

Bahamas

Waiting period: 1 day
Declarations certifying both parties are unmarried U.S. citizens sworn before a U.S. Consul at the American Embassy in Nassau or a Bahamas notary public (cost US $30 each)
Proof of arrival in the Bahamas
Passport or birth certificate and photo ID
Proof of divorce or death certificate
Parental consent for parties under age 18
Both parties must apply in person
If you are staying at a resort, consult with the manager or wedding coordinator to help you make arrangements to secure your marriage license

US $100 for the marriage license application and US $25 for the marriage certificate
Two witnesses must be present
Special requirements apply for Catholic marriages. Couples seeking a Catholic marriage must give three to six months advance notice, participate in a pre-cana course and submit baptismal certificate, confirmation papers and affidavits that they are free to marry each other
Bahamas Marriage License Info

Belize

Couples must reside in Belize three days. On the fourth day they can apply for the marriage license
ID requires a valid passport with date of entry stamp and original birth certificate with raised seal, signed by a notary public, which includes father’s name
Proof of divorce or death certificate if applicable
Parental consent for parties under 18
The marriage license must be signed by the Justice of the Peace and can be picked up one to two days after it has been approved
If you are staying at a resort, consult with the manager or wedding coordinator to help you make arrangements to secure your marriage license

US $250 for the license plus a $5 administrative fee.
Two witnesses present at the ceremony
Belize Marriage License Requirements

Bonaire

Couples must submit all necessary paperwork 4-6 weeks in advance of the wedding date. Once on-island, it takes a minimum of 4-7 business days for all paperwork to be processed
Couples must write, at least two months in advance, to the Governor of Bonaire requesting a temporary residence permit for one person in the couple from immigration. The couple must also ask permission to marry
US $150
ID required: two passport photos of the bride and groom and any witnesses; copies of first page of passports; original birth certificates; date of arrival in Bonaire and intended length of stay; 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)

Bonaire Destination Wedding Info

British Virgin Islands

Apply for license at the Attorney General’s office in Tortola on the same day of arrival
Waiting period: 3 days
Passport and date of arrival in the British Virgin Islands required
Proof of marital status
In a local church, the wedding banns must be published on three consecutive Sundays or Saturdays prior to the ceremony, in that church
If you are staying at a resort, consult with the manager or wedding coordinator to help you make arrangements to secure your marriage license
US $110 (BVI postage stamps) for a Special License for those resident in the BVI for 3 days; US $50 (BVI postage stamps) for an Ordinary License for those resident in the BVI for 15 days or more

Two witnesses to sign application form for license and to witness the ceremony
BVI Marriage Laws

Cayman Islands

Couples, including those arriving by cruise ship, can marry the same day they arrive in the Cayman Islands provided they have a non-resident’s marriage license granted by the Governor and two witnesses present at the ceremony
When the Governor is satisfied with application, a special license will be issued and provided to the officiant
Passport or an original birth certificate with photo ID needed
Proof of citizenship and age (18 minimum without parental consent)
Cayman Islands Immigration Department pink entry slips or Cayman Islands international embarkation/disembarkation card for cruise passengers

Other than the special license, marriage can take place on the authority of a certificate issued by a civil registrar
Fee: non-residents must obtain a marriage license from the Deputy Chief Secretary’s Office at a cost of US $200
Getting Married in the Cayman Islands

Curacao

Waiting period: 3 days residency, written notification at least two months prior to wedding date. The legal 10 day period between notification of your wedding and performing it is effective two weeks after all the documents have arrived at the Register Office
Applicants must be living outside the Netherlands Antilles
More than one wedding date must be provided when the written notification is sent
Passport and birth certificate needed
Proof both parties are eligible for marriage
Proof of divorce or death certificate

Fee: US $18 (approximate) for the marriage certificate; US $197 – US $424 (approximate) for the wedding package
Curacao Marriage License Info

Dominica

Statutory declaration on marital status obtained in Dominica in a lawyer’s presence
Waiting period: 2 days before intended wedding date
Provide birth certificate and proof of citizenship
In the case of a divorced couple, a certified copy of the decree absolute (divorce decree) must be presented
A widow or widower must present the death certificate of a deceased spouse
The completed application form, obtainable from the Ministry of Community Development, Government Headquarters, must be presented to the registrar at the time of the marriage ceremony

Fee: US $110 for a marriage license; US $184 legal fees for the statutory declaration on marital status (inclusive of affidavit)
Marriages performed within the registrar’s office is an additional US $11; Outside the registrar’s office is an additional US $48 plus transportation; and a church wedding is an additional US $40-$60
Two witnesses present at the ceremony
Dominica Details

Dominican Republic

ID needed includes affidavit stating the marriage status
Original copies and photocopies of birth certificates, adoption certificates (if applicable) and name deeds (if applicable)
Original and photo copies of the decree absolute of the court if divorced. Bride has to be divorced for a minimum of 10 months
Original and photocopies of death certificates
Valid passports for the couple and for any foreign witnesses
Two witnesses (not family members) need to be present (with valid photo identification)

Parties must be at least 18 years-of-age
First, middle and last names must show up identically in all of the following documents: passport, affidavit declaration and birth certificate. If not the Civil Judge might refuse the wedding
Documents must be translated into Spanish by the Dominican Consulate or Embassy in the couple’s home country
Marriage Info from the US Consulate

Grenada

Couples must be a resident of the island for a minimum of three days (including weekends and public holidays) before applying for a license
All documents must be in English. If the originals are in another language, they must be translated into English and certified
Show valid passports and original birth certificates of both parties
Sworn affidavit or letter from a clergyman, lawyer or registry if one or both parties are single, attesting to the fact that they have not been previously married
Proof of divorce or death certificate

Affidavit of parental consent if under 21 years of age
Deed poll if either party had a name change
Fee: US $12
Info from Vendor

Haiti

Birth certificates of each party
Proof of divorce or death of spouse
A blood test is required
US Embassy on Marriage in Haiti

Jamaica

Click for marriage requirements
Getting Married in Jamaica

Montserrat

Waiting period: 3 working days
Passports and birth certificates of both parties
Proof of divorce or death certificate
Non-marriage certificate
Citizens under 18 years of age need parent or guardian's consent
Montserrat Marriage Requirements

Nevis & St. Kitts

Waiting period: 2 working days
Canadian and American citizens: birth certificate with photo ID or citizenship card
Proof of divorce or death certificate
If Minister to perform ceremony, letter from home priest stating couple is unmarried
Documents not in English must be translated and notarized
If under 18 years of age, notarized letter indicating parental consent required
Fee US $20 if resident for 15 days or more
US $80 if resident for two days
Nevis Marriage Requirements

Puerto Rico

Blood tests from a federally certified laboratory (in the U.S. or Puerto Rico) within 10 days of the wedding date
Marriage certificate can be acquired in advance from the Puerto Rico Department of Health
Doctor will need to sign and certify marriage certificate and blood tests in Puerto Rico
Couples can expect to receive their marriage license within ten days of their wedding date
Visit the Demographic Registry to obtain the marriage license, and purchase two license stamps
Valid photo identification or passports required

Proof of divorce or death certificate (if applicable)
Getting Married in Puerto Rico

St. Lucia

Waiting period: 2 days residency; 2 days for license
Change of name documents
Proof of divorce or death certificate
Birth certificate or passport
All foreign documents must be translated into English
Apply through a local lawyer to the Attorney General for marriage license
St. Lucia Marriage Requirements

St. Maarten

Waiting period: 10 days to register at Office of Civil Registry; waiting period is 3 days
Non residents: special permission must be obtained from the Lt. Governor; a written request must be sent to the office at least two 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. Documents must be notarized

Non-resident witnesses must request a temporary tourist permit
Documented parental consent for citizens under age 21
Proof of divorce or death certificate
All documents must be in Dutch or translated and notarized
Divorced women must wait at least 306 days after their divorce is finalized
Fee: US $300
St. Martin Wedding Info

Trinidad

Waiting period: 3 days after arrival with President's License
Both parties must be non-residents
Passport and airline tickets
Proof of divorce or death certificate
Deed poll or other proofs of name change where name differs on documents
Fee: US $55 payable in postage stamps
Marriage Info from the US Embassy

Turks & Caicos

Waiting period: 24 hrs. to apply, 2 - 3 days to marry
Proof of divorce or death certificate
Birth certificate and photo ID
Most churches require proof of membership
Under 21, parents must give consent
Fee: US $250
Turks & Caicos Wedding Laws

USVI

Waiting period: 8 days (From receipt of notarized.application. Couple need not be on-island)
Send a letter requesting a marriage license to the Territorial court of the U.S. Virgin Islands in St. Thomas or St. Croix
Proof of divorce
Must make appointment to be married by a judge
Fee: US $50 or US$200 fee to be married in the court by a judge
Payment in money order or cashier's check
USVI Marriage Requirements

Mexican Caribbean Marriage Requirements

Cancun

Original and copy of birth certificates annotated and translated by an authorized translator certified in the Spanish language
Valid passports
Prenuptial blood tests of both parties for VDRL, HIV, and RH (results are valid for 15 days)
Original and copy of valid passport for two witnesses per party
Copy of legal immigration status: Tourist, FM3, FM2
Application and official oath of truthfulness
Name, age, nationality, home address and occupation of 4 witnesses. Clients must arrive at least 3 working days prior to the wedding ceremony to submit all the documents.

Certificates of baptism
Certificates of confirmation
Permission of the selected church
Two witnesses
A passport-size photo of both the bride and groom
Prenuptial counseling attended by both the bride and groom

Cozumel

Each individual must present the following 72 hours in advance:
Original passport or birth certificate with apostille (annotation) from Secretary of State where the certificate is registered. Birth certificate must be accompanied with a valid government-issued photo ID with matching name.
Copy of tourist card.
Medical certificate (blood test) issued within 20 days of the wedding date. It is recommended that the blood test be taken in Mexico, where the medical certificate can be obtained in one day. If taken in the United States, verification of the tests will need to be obtained by a Mexican doctor.

Four witnesses, above the age of 18 are required. Mexican nationals need a copy of their official I.D. American citizens need a copy of their tourist card and I.D.
Cost
Couple is required to pay $350 for a marriage license and judge’s services.