Destination Wedding Marriage Requirements

More and more people are getting married while on vacation, and it's now easy to do in Antigua and Barbuda. Even cruise ship visitors can now get married.

• There is a registration fee of US$40 that must be paid at the courthouse in the new government buildings on Queen Elizabeth Highway. The application fee for the special marriage license is US$150, and the Marriage Officer's fee is US$50.
• You both will need valid passports as proof of citizenship. If either of you have been previously married, then bring along the original divorce decree or, in the case of a widow or widower, the original marriage and death certificates.
• Both parties must be over 15, if under 18, written authorization from your parents or guardians is required. It is important that all documents presented are original or certified original by the issuing departments or offices. Ensure that all documents are in your legal name, and provide affidavits in cases where you are known by another name. Your marriage must also be solemnized or celebrated in the presence of two or more witnesses, apart from the Marriage Officer. (Just ask a guest or two to do this for you).
• Church weddings may require permission from church authorities and pre-nuptial consultations.
• Government of Antigua and Barbuda Website

With the adequate planning and submission of required documentation, religious ceremonies can also be performed on the island.

• The Civil Wedding
  It is now also possible to hold your civil weddings in Aruba. This would be held in the Historical City Hall. Couples who wish, may also receive a religious blessing after a civil marriage or simply organize a romantic celebration on the beach.
  • All civil ceremonies are held at the City Hall (“Civil Town House”)
  • Copies of birth certificates for both parties. These birth-certificates must have a raised seal. When the raised seal is secured, the documents need to be submitted to the Secretary of State Office for an Apostille (a separate document authenticating the certificate and the employee who signed the certificate).
  • Certificate of No Impediment for Bride and Groom (also known as “single status report” or “negative statement for marriage”). This certificate is obtained at the Bureau of Vital Statistics or (for England at the department of Commonwealth) that states that Bride and Groom are single and eligible to marry. For Canada the couple that have never been married before can get a sworn statement from a Public Notary or Lawyer.
  • Copies of photo ID of the passport picture page of Bride and Groom. Bride and Groom must both be 18 years of age or older.
  • If married before, a Final Divorce-Degree with an Apostille; or Death Certificate with an Apostille is required.
  • Copies of photo ID of the passport picture page of two (2) Witnesses, minimum 18 years of age.
  • The Aruba Declaration of Marriage Intent Form of Bride and Groom
  • The Aruba Declaration Single Status Form of Bride and Groom
  • Bathing suits, shorts, cut-offs and slippers are not allowed at the civil ceremony.
  • All documents must be emailed for review and then sent by mail or courier (e.g. FedEx) at least one (1) month before the desired date for the wedding.
  • The Civil ceremony can take place on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10.00am till 11.30am and from 2.00pm till 3.30pm, Wednesdays from 10.00am till 11.30am. from 11.00am till 1.00pm.
• Catholic Ceremony
  
  • A written consent must be presented stating that both the bride and groom have attended pre-marital counseling and have permission from their pastor to marry in Aruba.
  • An official statement by the pastor is required in which he declares that neither party has previously been married in a Church.
  • A copy of the Marriage Certificate that shows that the couple has been married by a civil authority in their country of origin.
  • Certificates of baptism and confirmation from both bride and groom, as well as copies of both passports or other valid identification documents.
  • The wedding ceremony must take place in a Catholic Church.
  • Bride and groom must submit all these documents 4 months prior to the chosen wedding day.
  • Death certificate if either party is widowed.
• Protestant, Episcopalian or Methodist Ceremony
  
  • The wedding can take place in any local Protestant, Episcopalian or Methodist Church, or at any other location of your preference.
  • Provide a copy of the Marriage Certificate from your country of origin.
  • You are required to dress appropriately for all “Religious Blessings” for example the bride can not marry wearing bathing suit or shorts, shorts are acceptable for the groom.
• Jewish Ceremony
  
  • Both parties must be Jewish and must submit a certificate issued by the Jewish Rabbi from their place of origin.
  • The Aruba Jewish Cantor accepts Jewish status certificates from valid Orthodox authorities, Conservative, Reform, Liberal and Reconstructionist.
  • You need to make a formal request to the Jewish Community of Aruba.
  • The ceremony can take place both within the Synagogue, as in any other place of your choice. The Synagogue of Aruba is in a separate conservative-reformist style congregation.
• Government of Aruba Website

It is very easy to get married in Barbados as there is no required waiting period or minimum length of stay. Application for a marriage licence must be made by both parties in person at the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Applications for marriage licences must be made between the hours of 8.30 a.m and 3.30 p.m Monday to Friday. You will require:

• Valid passports and birth certificates.
• Return tickets.
• If either party was divorced, an original Decree Absolute or a certified copy of the Final Judgment. The Decree Nisi is not accepted.
• If either party was previously married and widowed, a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate and Death Certificate in respect of the deceased spouse.
• For a Roman Catholic ceremony, the relevant documents must be sent by your bishop to the bishop of Bridgetown.
• Where necessary, all documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
• Arrangements should be made with a Magistrate or Marriage Officer to perform the wedding ceremony, prior to applying for the marriage license. A letter from either the Magistrate or Marriage Officer must be presented at the time of making the application.
• Government of Barbados Website

Photocopies of required documents, as listed below, can be sent in advance. The couple must bring the originals when arriving in the country. All documents must be legalized and translated into Spanish by an official translator.

• Register to be married with the Oficialia del Estado Civil.
• Civil Marriage
  
  • Original passport with photocopy of the identification page, and the last entries to the country.
  • Affidavits of marital status, certifying that the bride and groom are single.
  • Original birth certificates.
  • Divorce Certificate(s) or Death Certificate(s), if applicable.
  • Two or more witnesses with valid passports, other than family.
• Religious Ceremony
  Those wishing for a religious ceremony in the DR’s paradisiacal setting can make their dream come true. The main requirement is to obtain authorization from an archbishop in the couple’s country of residence, and deliver it to the local Dominican archdiocese. The documents needed include:
  • Pre-matrimonial Certificate.
  • Certificate of Civil Marriage legalized by the Dominican Consulate, if the couple has already married in their country.
  • Baptism Certificates; Certificates of Confirmation; and Church Annulment Certificate(s), if applicable.
• Government of Dominican Republic Website

Visitors to the island must be resident on the island for a minimum of three (3) working days (this excludes weekends and public holidays) before applying for a license.

Application for a Marriage License is then made at the Prime Minister's Office after the necessary stamp duty and licence fees have been paid. This process takes approximately two days (and slightly longer if either partner is divorced, as documents must then be sent to The Ministry of Legal Affairs)

• Valid passports.
• Birth certificates.
• Proof of Single Status: an affadavit, or a letter from a clergyman, lawyer, or Registry on official letterhead attesting to the fact that the parties involved have not been married previously.
• Divorce decree if applicable.
• Death certificate if widowed.
• Legal proof of name change when applicable.
• Documents must be in English or accompanied by certified translations.
• The page currently states that blood or medical tests are not required.
• Government of Grenada Website

The current guide states visitors may marry after being in Jamaica for 24 hours when prior application for the marriage license has been completed.

• Proof of citizenship - certified copy of your birth certificate, which includes father’s name.
• Written parental consent if under age 18.
• Divorce documentation if applicable.
• Certified death certificate for a widow or widower.
• Processing fee JM$4000 (less than US$40)
• Government of Jamaica Website

In Mexico only civil marriages are recognized as legal. A civil marriage in Mexico is fully valid for legal purposes worldwide.

Foreign wishing to get married in Mexico must present the following documents before the Officer of the Civil Registry office of the city or town where the marriage is to take place.

• A completed application form obtained in Mexico at the Registry Office. This includes a statement as to whether the couple will maintain separate property and assets or have joint property. This statement may not be valid for future purposes, under the legislation of your country of origin.
• Valid passport and Migratory Form obtained at the airport/Residence Card to prove legal status in Mexico.
• Certified copy of their Birth Certificate, officially translated into Spanish and carrying the Apostille stamp (see Consular Services/Legalizations). Further legalization by the Mexican Embassy in your country of origin may be optional.
• If either party has been married before, they must present either a certified copy of the Divorce decree, or; a certified copy of a Death Certificate duly translated and legalized as described above.
• A physician’s certificate stating that according to the blood tests and x-rays taken in Mexico, neither applicant suffers from any contagious disease. Additional fees may apply.
• Two legally qualified witnesses (over 18 years of age), who must be present at the ceremony.
• Payment of fee established by the Civil Registry Office.
• Marriages are performed at the offices of the Civil Registry, but may be performed elsewhere for an additional fee (marriage fees vary throughout Mexico). Persons staying at a hotel can obtain addresses and fees from hotel management.
• Religious Marriages, which have no legal implications in Mexico, require additional information for the ceremony. Requirements must be obtained from local Church Officials.
• Government of Mexico Website