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Marriage
Requirements for Destination Weddings
Many people ask whether destination
weddings are legally binding. The answer is yes: Under U.S.
statutes, a marriage performed abroad that's valid under the laws of
that country is generally accepted by any state. The catch? Some
countries have a web of red tape and residency requirements that can
vary by district or city, even judge! (In these cases, it is
recommended that you work with a wedding planner to help you fulfill
all requirements properly.) Certain religious ceremonies, or
marriage between two different religions, can also throw a wrench
into the process. Here are the most popular -- read: enticing and/or
relatively easy -- destinations to plan a faraway wedding plus
requirements for tying the knot on their turf.
Caribbean
Antigua
Obtaining
a marriage license: Couples apply at Ministry of Justice
and Legal Affairs in St. John's
Identification needed:
Passport or driver's license and birth certificate. Proof of
divorce, death certificate or deed poll, if applicable.
License waiting period:
None
License fees: From US
$150
Residency period: None
Witnesses needed: Two
Aruba
Obtaining
a marriage license: All documents must be sent to the Civil
Hall one month prior to the ceremony.
Identification needed:
Apostille documentation from country of citizenship verifying
partners' single status. Valid passports and copies of pages showing
relevant details. Copies of birth certificates with raised seals.
Proof of divorce or death certificate, if applicable. Copies of
passport pages of witnesses.
License waiting period:
All documents to be submitted at least one month prior (by courier)
to wedding date.
License fees: From US $80
Residency period: None
Witnesses needed: Two
Bahamas
Obtaining
a marriage license: Couples apply in person at the American
Embassy, Nassau, or a Bahamas notary public.
Identification needed:
Proof of arrival in the Bahamas. Passport or birth certificate and
photo ID. Proof of single status by the U.S. Consul, proof of
divorce or death certificate, if applicable.
License waiting period:
One day
License fees: From US
$100
Residency period: None
Witnesses needed: Two
MORE INFO: Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, (888) NUPTIAL, or
http://www.bahamas.com
BARBADOS
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: None
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS: Passports or certified birth certificates;
proof of divorce or death certificate of former spouse/s (if
applicable); letter from officiant performing service
NOTE: Both parties must apply in person at Ministry of Home Affairs
in Cheapside, Bridgetown.
MORE INFO: Ministry of Home Affairs, (246) 228-8950, or http://www.barbados.org/weddings.htm
Bermuda
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: None
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS: Passports and a "Notice of Intended
Marriage" form from Bermuda's Registrar General's Office (The
form is available by phone request or at http://www.bermudatourism.com.
Fill it out and mail it along with a cashier's check or bank draft
made payable to the Accountant General, Hamilton, Bermuda, in the
amount of US$210 back to the Registrar Ge neral. Your license will
be valid for three months and can be picked up at the Registrar's
office by you or a designated person.)
NOTE: "Notice of Intended Marriage" must be filed 2 weeks
before the wedding
MORE INFO: Bermuda's Registrar General office, (441) 297-7709 or
-7707; the Bermuda Department of Tourism office nearest you; or http://www.bermudatourism.com
British Virgin Islands
Obtaining
a marriage license: Apply in person at the Attorney
General's office in Tortola on the day of arrival.
Identification needed:
Passport, birth certificate, proof of divorce or death certificate,
if applicable.
License waiting period:
Three days
License fees: US$110 in
B.V.I. postage stamps if BVI resident for 1 day; US$50 in BVI
Postage Stamps if resident for 15 days or more.
Residency period: None
Witnesses needed: Two
MORE INFO: BVI Registrar's Office, (284) 494-3701 ext. 5001/2/3; BVI
Tourist Board, (800) 835-8530, or http://www.bviwelcome.com
Cayman
Islands
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: None
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS: Passports; birth certificates; proof of divorce
or death certificate of former spouse/s (if applicable); return or
ongoing tickets; proofs of entry (Cayman Islands International
Immigration Department pink slips or cruise-ship boarding passes);
letter from authorized officiating marriage officer
MORE INFO: Cayman Islands Government Information Services, (345)
949-7900, or http://www.caymanislands.ky
Dominican Republic
Obtaining
a marriage license: Send written request for permission to
marry to the American Consulate in Santo Domingo.
Identification needed:
Valid passports for the couple and any foreign witnesses. Affidavit
stating marriage status. Original copies and photocopies of birth
certificates, and adoption certificates, name deeds and decree
absolute, if applicable. Original and photocopies of death
certificates. First, middle and last names must show up identically
on passport, affidavit declaration and birth certificate. Documents
must be translated into Spanish by the Dominican Consulate or
Embassy in the United Stated.
License waiting period:
Varies
License fees: From US$20
Residency period: None
Witnesses needed: Two
(non-family members with valid photo identification)
The Grenadines
Obtaining
a marriage license: File your application in person at the
Ministry of Legal Affairs.
Identification needed:
Passport, birth certificate and proof of divorce or death
certificate, if applicable. All documents must be notarized, and in
English.
License waiting period:
One day
License fees: US$190,
plus US$7.50 in stamp fees
Residency period: None
Witnesses needed: None
Jamaica
Obtaining
a marriage license: Apply and receive a marriage
certificate from the Ministry of National Security in Kingston.
Identification needed:
Photo identification plus proof of citizenship (certified copy of
birth certificate which includes father's name). Certified copy of
death certificate or divorce decree, if applicable. Documented
parental consent if either party is under 21.
License waiting period:
One day
License fees: US$75
Residency period: 24
hours before ceremony
Witnesses needed: None
MORE INFO: Jamaica Tourist Board, (800) 233-4582, or http://www.jamaicatravel.com
St. Lucia
Obtaining
a marriage license: Apply with Attorney General through a
local solicitor.
Identification needed:
Passports, original birth certificates and proof of divorce, death
certificate or deed poll, if applicable. Couples wishing to be
married within the Catholic Church must have the couple's local
parish priest liaise with a priest on the island.
License waiting period:
Two days for processing
License fees: From US$195
Residency period: Four
days before applying
Witnesses needed: None
St. Martin
Obtaining
a marriage license: Apply with civil registry at least 14
days prior to ceremony.
Identification needed:
Birth certificate (or copy with raised seal). Certificate of good
conduct (including certificate of single standing). Medical
certificate issued within three months of event; a blood test is
required. French translation of English documents.
License waiting period:
See below
License fees: None
Residency period: One of
partners must be a resident for 30 days (residency card is
required), but many resorts help couples speed up procedures.
Witnesses needed: None
MORE INFO: Office of Civil Registry, (011) 5995-22457
Turks & Caicos
Obtaining
a marriage license: Apply with registrar in Grand Turk.
Identification needed:
Proof of single status (notarized copies of affidavit and proof of
divorce or death certificate, if applicable). Birth certificate and
photo ID.
License waiting period:
Two-Three days to marry
License fees: US$50
Residency period: 48
hours before applying
Witnesses needed: None
U.S. Virgin Islands
Obtaining
a marriage license: Send a letter requesting or call to
request a marriage license to the Territorial court of the U.S.
Virgin Islands in St. Thomas/St. John (340- 774-6680) or St. Croix
(340-778-9750) or download application at www.usvitourism.vi.
Identification needed:
Proof of divorce.
License waiting period: 8
days (from receipt of notarized application. Couples need not be
on-island).
License fees: US$50
Residency period: Same as
waiting period
Witnesses needed: None
MORE INFO: USVI Division of Tourism (800) 372-8784; Territorial
Court, St. Thomas and St John, (340) 774-6680; Territorial Court,
St. Croix, (340) 778-9750; or http://www.usvitourism.vi
Mexico Weddings
Obtaining a marriage license:
Apply with the Registro Civil in city of wedding.
Identification needed:
Passport and birth certificate. A copy of tourist card or visa.
Proof of divorce or death certificate, if applicable. Names,
addresses, ages, nationalities & tourist card numbers of four
witnesses. Blood tests are required and must be performed in Mexico.
License waiting period:
Two to four days
License fees: Around
US$200
Residency period: Two
days (no minimum stay for Cozumel)
Witnesses needed: Four
(18 or older)
For more information, go to www.visitmexico.com.
Hawaii Weddings & South Pacific Wedding
Hawaii
Obtaining
a marriage license: Apply with county clerk for a license
valid throughout the State of Hawaii. To obtain your license
application, please call the Hawaii County Department of Health at
(808) 974-6008 and request a "Marriage License Packet." Or
visit www.hawaii.gov/doh/records/vr_marri.html
for license application and information.
Identification needed:
Couples must show proof of age with valid ID or driver's license.
Proof of divorce or death certificate, if applicable.
License waiting period:
None
License fees: $60
Residency period: None
Witnesses needed: One
MORE INFO: Hawaii's Department
of Health marriage licensing office or (808) 586-4544; or http://www.gohawaii.com
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