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Legal Requirements to Get Married

It is easy to get caught up in the hype and excitement of planning your destination wedding (I know I am when I am planning yours). But we can't forget the legal side of it to actually get married. 

Ever country is different, and normally your wedding planner will take on the responsibility of most of these documents for you, but you should still be aware of the requirements so that things aren't forgotten

Antigua

~💕~  Lets get Married  ~💕~

If you are in Antigua for 15 or less days you must apply for a "Special Marriage License". This procedure begins at the Ministry of Legal Affairs on Queen Elizabeth Highway.

1) Both Parties must take both passports along with a copy of his/her/their divorce papers if there has been any previous marriages.

2) An interview will be conducted with the Marriage Coordinator. After a successful completion of this interview, the Special License will be issued. This type of license is issued to individuals who are non-residents (persons not residing within Antigua and Barbuda for at least 15 days). The cost for this type of license is EC$405.00 (US$150.00).

3) Once you have possession of this license, you must visit the Registrar General’s office which is located within very close proximity. The Registrar General’s office number is 268-462-0609.

4) The cost for registering this license at the Court House is EC$100.00 (US$40.00.)

5) The cost for obtaining the official marriage certificate is EC$25.00 (US$10.00). If the wedding is performed outside the Court House, there is a Marriage Officer fee of EC$270.00 (US$100.00).

Important: All documents must be in English or presented with an authenticated translation

Please note that wedding ceremonies in Antigua for LGBTQ2+ couples is currently only available as a Symbolic Ceremony

More Information

❤️ Contact your In-Destination Wedding Planner ❤️

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Aruba

~💕~  Lets get Married  ~💕~

The documents required are:

  • Official copies of birth certificates for the bride & groom 

  • Valid passports 

  • 1 Witness (18+ years old) with valid passport

  • Certificate of no impediment for bride and groom (also referred to as a single status report and in some states called a negative statement of marriage). Apostilles are required for "negative statement of marriage". Certificate cannot be older than 6 months.

  • If either party has been divorced a copy of the divorce decree(s) is required.

  • If either party is a widow(er) a copy of the death certificate is required with apostille.

Religious Ceremonies Available:

  • Catholic

  • Protestant

  • Episcopalian

  • Methodist

  • Jewish

Please note that wedding ceremonies in Aruba for LGBTQ2+ couples is currently only available as a Symbolic Ceremony

More Information

❤️ Contact your In-Destination Wedding Planner ❤️

Civil Registry Office of Aruba

Bahamas

~💕~  Lets get Married  ~💕~

Powdery white sands & crystal clear turquoise waters

Luxurious resorts specializing in romantic destination weddings

Eligibility: 

  • Both parties must be in the country for at least 24 hours beforehand

  • Both parties must be at least 18 years of age

  • If either party is 16 or 17 years of age, parental consent is required

  • Parties should not be blood relatives. Blood test Not required

  • Not already legally married to someone else

  • Please note that wedding ceremonies in the Bahamas for LGBTQ2+ couples is currently only available as a Symbolic Ceremony

Documentation Required:

  • Valid Passport

  • Picture Identification (Driver’s License )

  • Birth Certificate

  • Proof of finalized divorce / Divorce Certificate (If applicable);

  • Death Certificate of former spouse (If applicable)

  • Certificate of Consent to Marriage by a Minor if you are 16 or 17 years of age. 

Applying for your Marriage License:

  • Complete the Application for a Marriage License form and submit it to the Marriage Registration Section of the Registrar General's Department

  • Non-Bahamian applicants will need to participate in a interview by either the Registrars or any of the five designated Marriage Officers

  • Once approved, your marriage license will be issued (valid for 90 days). Payment required of $100

  • Turn around time is quick. It will be issued the same day you apply, or within 2 days

For More Information

❤️ Contact your In-Destination Wedding Planner ❤️

Registrar General Department of the Government of the Bahamas

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Dominican Republic

~💕~  Lets get Married  ~💕~

Eligibility: 

  • Both parties must be in the country 3 days before the wedding

  • Both parties must be at least 18 years of age

  • Parties should not be blood relatives. Blood test not required

  • Not already legally married to someone else

  • Please note that wedding ceremonies in the Dominican Republic for LGBTQ2+ couples is currently only available as a Symbolic Ceremony

Documentation Required:

  • Photocopy of passports for both parties & all witnesses 

  • Birth Certificates

  • Proof of finalized divorce / Divorce Certificate (If applicable);

  • Death Certificate of former spouse (If applicable)

  • Baptism Certificates (if applicable for religious ceremonies)

Applying for your Marriage License:

  • All documents must be translated and legalized by the Dominican Consulate prior to arriving in the Dominican Republic, except for the Passports. The documents should be legalized by the Dominican Consulate no more than 3 months prior to the wedding date. 

  • Once approved, your marriage license will be issued (valid for 90 days)

For More Information

❤️ Contact your In-Destination Wedding Planner ❤️

Jamaica

~ Lets Get Married ~ 

To be legally married in Jamaica you will need to obtain a Minister's Marriage License. 

The Minister’s Marriage License is granted by the Minister of Justice giving authority to a Marriage Officer to marry a couple (man and woman), in Jamaica, in keeping with the Marriage Act.

Please note that wedding ceremonies in Jamaica for LGBTQ2+ couples is currently only available as Symbolic Ceremonies

Eligibility: 

  • Both parties must be at least 18 years of age

  • If either party is 16 or 17 years of age, parental consent is required

  • Parties should not be blood relatives

  • Not already legally married to someone else

Documentation Required:

  • Picture Identification (Passport, Driver’s License or Jamaica’s National Identification);

  • Birth Certificate;

  • Final Divorce Decree / Decree Absolute / Divorce Certificate (If applicable);

  • Death Certificate of former spouse (If applicable); and

  • Documents supporting any change of name (If applicable).

  • Letter of Consent if you are 16 or 17 years of age. 

For More Information

❤️ Contact your In-Destination Wedding Planner ❤️

Minister's Marriage License, Jamaica Ministry of Justice

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Mexico

~💕~  Lets get Married  ~💕~

Eligibility: 

  • Both parties must be in the country 3 days before the wedding

  • Both parties must be at least 18 years of age

  • Parental consent is required for marriage of males age (16 to 18), and females age(14 to 18)

  • Willing to consent to a blood test and depending on jurisdiction a chest -rays in Mexico to confirm that neither applicant suffers from a contagious disease

  • Two legally qualified witnesses (over 18 years of age) must be present at the ceremony

  • Not already legally married to someone else

  • LGBTQ2+ civil ceremonies are legal in Mexico 💕

Documentation Required:

  • Valid passports for both parties & all witnesses 

  • Copy of migratory form

  • Birth Certificates

  • Proof of finalized divorce / Divorce Certificate (If applicable);

  • Death Certificate of former spouse (If applicable)

  • Baptism Certificates (if applicable for religious ceremonies)

Applying for your Marriage License:

  • Complete your Marriage License application form you obtain in Mexico at the Registry Office. This will also include 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 Canadian Law.

  • Once approved, your marriage license will be issued (valid for 90 days)

For More Information

❤️ Contact your In-Destination Wedding Planner ❤️

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St. Lucia

~💕~  Lets get Married  ~💕~

Eligibility: 

  • There is no residency period. You can apply for a marriage license upon arrival in the country

  • Both parties must be at least 18 years of age

  • Parties should not be blood relatives. Blood test Not required

  • Not already legally married to someone else

  • Please note that wedding ceremonies in St. Lucia for LGBTQ2+ couples is currently only available as Symbolic Ceremonies

Documentation Required:

  • Valid passports for both parties

  • Birth Certificates

  • Proof of finalized divorce / Decree Absolute (If applicable);

  • Death Certificate of former spouse (If applicable)

  • Deed Poll (if a name has been changed)

  • A sworn affidavit of consent stamped by a notary public if one of the parties is under age 18

  • An authenticated translation if required documents are not in English

Applying for your Marriage License:

  • Generally the marriage license approval will take 2 business days to process, but can be expedited if need be

  • After the marriage ceremony you will receive a “temporary” handwritten marriage certificate. It is advisable that you apply for the “official” marriage certificate prior to departing Saint Lucia. The official marriage certificate is obtained from the Registry of Civil Status, located on Brazil Street in Castries. The cost is USD$5.00. 

For More Information

❤️ Contact your In-Destination Wedding Planner ❤️

Turks & Caicos

~💕~  Lets get Married  ~💕~

Eligibility: 

  • Both parties must be in the country for 24 hours before eligible to apply for a marriage license. The ceremony can occur 48 hours after the license is granted

  • Both parties must be at least 18 years of age

  • Parties should not be blood relatives. Blood test Not required

  • Not already legally married to someone else

  • Please note that wedding ceremonies in Turks & Caicos for LGBTQ2+ couples is currently only available as Symbolic Ceremonies

Documentation Required:

  • Valid passports for both parties

  • Birth Certificates

  • Proof of finalized divorce / Decree Absolute (If applicable);

  • Death Certificate of former spouse (If applicable)

  • Deed Poll (if a name has been changed)

  • A letter stating occupation, marital status, age as of last birthday, current address, and fathers full name

  • A sworn affidavit of consent stamped by a notary public if one of the parties is under age 21

  • Any documents not in English must be translated and notarized by the applicable consulate.

Applying for your Marriage License:

  • To obtain a copy of your marriage certificate, you will need to inform your marriage officer and complete the necessary forms. A copy will then be sent to your home address.

For More Information

❤️ Contact your In-Destination Wedding Planner ❤️

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Disclaimer
Travel With Megan makes every effort to keep the travel information up to date on this website, however, resorts / wedding packages / laws & regulations do change at times. For this reason we cannot guarantee that all information regarding rules, regulations, and marriage requirements at particular destinations. It is recommended that you speak with your wedding planner or consulate to verify rules at a particular destination before finalizing your travel plans.

Megan Cookson

About Travel With Megan

Welcome to Travel With Megan, your trusted partner in luxury travel, Destination Weddings, Cruises, and group travel. Join our mailing list to receive the latest travel updates, exclusive offers, and travel tips 

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