Caribbean Wedding Basic Requirements:

 

This basic list covers most wedding requirements. To get exact details, you will have to chose an exact resort. Not all of the requirements listed below will apply to you.

 

  • Arrange wedding before arrival
  • Arrive on the island 2 to 3 days prior, weekend days and holidays do not count
  • Documents Required:
    • Notarized Copies of Birth Certificates
    • Notarized Letters stating single status
    • Completed Wedding Information Forms
    • Certified Divorce Decrees (all pages)
    • Certified copies of Name Changes or Adoption Papers
    • Former Spouse’s Death Certificate and Marriage License
    • Legal translations into English (Jamaica, St Lucia, Bahamas, Antigua, and all other English speaking islands.)
    • Legal translations into Spanish (Mexico, Punta Cana, and all other Spanish speaking islands.)
  • Your marriage will be legal and binding worldwide.
  • Expect to receive you official license 6 to 12 weeks after you return home.

The following information is provided by the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

Last Updated June 2004.

 

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.
< b>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.

 

BERMUDA


b>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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

JAMAICA


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.

 

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. 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

 

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.