Legal Requirements Abroad & Paperwork

If you are planning a destination wedding, it is essential to ensure that your marriage will be legally recognized in your chosen country. There have been instances where couples got married abroad only to realize that their marriage was not valid.

To avoid such situations, contact your local city hall and the American embassy at your destination as soon as you are ready to make it official. Your travel advisor and on-site coordinator can also assist you with this process.

Depending on the location, you may need to provide specific documents such as an original birth certificate, proof of divorce, your passport, or other forms. Some countries require you to be present at the destination for a certain number of days before the ceremony.

For example, Mexico requires couples to take a blood test. If you are uncomfortable with needles, you may consider signing the paperwork officially in the U.S. before you travel and having a symbolic ceremony at your destination.

Here are some of the most popular destinations to get married in, along with their specific legal requirements.

LEGAL CEREMONY IN MEXICO

This type of ceremony, also referred to as a civil ceremony, is only performed by a judge and is available seven days a week (except on Mexican holidays). Although civil marriages performed in Mexico are legal in Mexico, you must also legalize your marriage at your local court house if you want it to be recognized as legal in your in your country of birth/residence. Do this by registering your marriage certificate at your City Hall. Legal ceremonies can also be combined with a religious one, if you choose. The legal Mexican service is usually performed in Spanish and translated to English.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A LEGAL CEREMONY IN MEXICO

VALID PASSPORT: Passports are required to enter Mexico and are also mandatory for a legal wedding. Passports should be presented to your on-site wedding team at the time of the wedding consultation.

TOURIST CARD: These are usually provided on the airplane prior to arrival into Cancun International Airport. Names on the tourist card and passport must be the same. 

ADVANCED HOTEL STAY: Bride and groom must arrive at their hotel three business days prior to the legal wedding ceremony date in order to complete the blood tests and process the necessary documents. Saturday and Sunday are not considered working days. 

CIVIL CEREMONY FORM: A civil ceremony form must be completed and should indicate witnesses name, age, nationality, home address and occupation.

DIVORCED GROOM: If the groom is divorced no additional documentation is needed. 

DIVORCED BRIDE: If the bride is divorced (must be for at least one year in order to remarry) and her passport is in her maiden name no additional documentation is needed. If the bride is divorced and her passport is under her ex-husband's last name, then she must present her birth certificate and divorce certificate translated into Spanish by an Official Translator and with an Apostille Seal. The Apostille Seal is necessary when issuing a document from one country to another for legal purposes. For information on how to obtain the Apostille Seal, please contact the Secretary of State Office or visit: http://travel.state.gov/law/judicial/judicial_2545.html

The United States Department of State requires that all weddings certificates from ceremonies performed in the Caribbean, including Mexico, have the Apostille Seal. Check with your resort to see if they can do this for you. 


DECEASED FORMER SPOUSE: If a bride or groom's former spouse is deceased then a copy of the death certificate is required. 

HEALTH CERTIFICATE: Mexican laws require a health certificate for all legal wedding ceremonies. Blood tests are done to determine blood type, HIV and STD status. Tests are usually taken at the resort and results can be ready within 24 hours. 

WITNESSES: Legal wedding ceremonies require four witnesses. The hotel can provide witnesses at no extra cost. If the wedding couple provides their own witnesses the following is needed from each witness:

  • Valid passport or driver's license

  • Tourist Card

  • Witnesses must arrive at the hotel three business days prior to the legal wedding ceremony date in order to complete the legal document process.

  • Witnesses must be at least 18 years of age at the time of the ceremony

 

LEGAL CEREMONY IN JAMAICA

This type of ceremony, also referred to as a civil ceremony, can be requested seven days a week (except on Jamaican holidays). Unlike in Mexico, civil marriages in Jamaica are performed by a non-denominational minister and are considered civil/legal in Jamaica. However, you must legalize your marriage at your local court if you want it to be recognized as legal in your country of birth/residence. All wedding couples hosting a civil wedding ceremony will receive two different documents after the wedding ceremony:

  1. CERTIFIED COPY OF MARRIAGE LICENSE: This document is received right after the ceremony, but is not the official marriage certificate. It can be used as such to change your forms with social security, bank accounts, living wills, insurance policies, credit cards, driver licenses, automobile insurance, mortgages, Internal Revenue Service, passport and voter's registration, just to name a few.

  2. MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE: This document is mailed to the wedding couple via FedEx approximately 14 days after the wedding ceremony and should be used to register your marriage at your local courthouse.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A LEGAL CEREMONY IN JAMAICA

BIRTH CERTIFICATES: Certified copies of bride’s and groom's birth certificates. If a father's name is not on the certificate an explanation must be included with the documents.

PASSPORTS: Certified copies of passports are required to process the marriage license. The passports are needed to enter Jamaica and are also mandatory for a legal wedding to be performed. Passports should usually be presented to the on-site wedding coordinator at the time of the wedding consultation.

DIVORCE DECREE: Certified copy of divorce decree, if applicable. If the bride is divorced and has returned to her maiden name, there must be an official document to show the change.

DEATH CERTIFICATE: Certified copy of death certificate if applicable.

CIVIL WEDDING REGISTRATION FORM: The completed civil wedding registration form indicating witnesses name, age, nationality, home address and occupation. 

Witnesses: Legal wedding ceremonies require two witnesses at least 18 years of age or older. 

ADVANCE HOTEL STAY: Bride and groom must arrive at their hotel three business days prior to the legal wedding ceremony in order to complete the document processing. Saturday and Sunday are not considered working days.

  • Your documents need to be sent by DHL courier to the Wedding Designer at the hotel at least 60 days prior to arrival. Physical documents are still required at the Hotel. Work with your Travel Designer to assist you with this paperwork. 

  • Any documents in any language other than English must be translated and the translations certified.

  • Certified copy of any name change document if applicable must be provided.

  • Italian nationals must notify their embassy and have a certified copy of their marriage certificate forwarded to their embassy to be legalized and translated.

  • French Canadians need a notarized translated copy of all documents and a photocopy of the original French documents.

  • Blood tests are not required.

 

LEGAL CEREMONY IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

This type of ceremony is only performed by a judge. An Apostille will be required to legalize your marriage in your country of birth/residence if you want it to be recognized as legal once you return home. You do this by registering your marriage certificate at your local City Hall. Legal ceremonies can also be combined with a religious one if you choose. The service is performed in Spanish so make sure you are aware before proceeding. The resort always provides a translator who will in turn speak in English for the guest.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A LEGAL CEREMONY IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

  • Valid passport is required.

  • Please bring your original birth certificate (provided by your country's government).

  • Declarations of single status (provided by the dominican consulate office in the country state you currently reside in)

  • Translation to Spanish by an official translator of all documents presented, also, those should have an Apostille seal.

  • The Apostille Seal is necessary when issuing a document from one country to another for legal purposes. For information on how to obtain the Apostille seal, please contact the Secretary of State Office or visit: http://travel.state.gov/law/judicial/judicial_2545.html

  • Two witnesses: Must arrive three business days prior to the ceremony. Witnesses must be 18 years or older. If Witnesses are not available, most of the time the hotel/resort will provide them at no extra charge. 

Please note: Couples who require a non-shared assets marriage status will be required to bring their own prenuptial agreement. It should be apostilled or legalized for those countries who are not included in the Hague Convention. 

For Canadian couples, birth certificate and single status certificate should be legalized in their Dominican Republic Consulate.  

 LEGAL WEDDING REQUIREMENTS IN BAHAMAS

 How to Obtain a Bahamian Marriage License

You can view or download a Bahamian marriage license application here.

Both you and your partner will need to be in The Bahamas for at least 24 hours prior to applying for a license at the Registrar General’s office in Nassau. The exception is for guests who arrive via cruise ship – in this case, you’ll need a letter from the Ship’s Purser/Guest Services to confirm you have been in Bahamian waters for 24 hours. Two witnesses aged 18 or older must sign your marriage license, and witnesses can be provided if necessary.

You’ll receive your marriage license the day after you apply, and it’s valid for 90 days. The fee for a marriage license is $120, which includes one certified copy of a marriage certificate.

Required Documents

  • Couples wishing to get married in The Bahamas must provide government-issued photo ID from their country of residence (for example, a valid passport).

  • You’ll need proof of your date of arrival in The Bahamas. Use your Bahamas Immigration Card or the entry stamp in your passport as proof of your arrival date.

  • If you’re single and have never been married before, you’ll need a declaration certifying this fact. This can be sworn before a notary public or another person authorized to administer oaths in your country of residence. You’ll need this document when you apply for a marriage license. If you prefer, you can also make this declaration in The Bahamas with an attorney-at-law or notary public.

  • If you are a minor under 18 years of age, you must have written parental consent to get married in The Bahamas. Consent forms can be obtained from the Registrar General’s office.

  • If you’re divorced, you must produce an original final divorce decree or a certified copy with a raised or color seal.

  • If you are widowed, you must produce a death certificate for the deceased spouse.

The Registrar General’s Office in Nassau is open to the public from Monday-Friday, 9:30am – 4:00pm, closed on Bahamian holidays. Contact the office at (242) 323-0594 with any questions.

LEGAL WEDDING REQUIREMENT IN TURKS & CAICOS

The following are the requirements for obtaining a marriage licence in the Turks and Caicos:

  • Valid Passport

  • Original Birth Certificate

  • Both parties must be present in the Turks and Caicos Islands for at least 24 hours before the licence application can be made. The ceremony can take place 48 hours after the licence is granted.

  • Proof of marital status.

  • Single - Sworn affidavit is required stating this from the applicant's home country.

  • Divorcee - Divorce Decree, either original or notarized copy sealed by a Court Clerk.

  • Widow/Widower - Death certificate, either an original or notarized copy.

  • In the case of a name change, either Deed Poll or adoption papers.

  • If either party is under 21 years of age, the consent of both parents or guardians is required, in the form of an affidavit stamped by a Notary Public.

  • The marriage cannot be within the prohibited degree of relationship. Cousin-marriage is not prohibited.

  • Letters stating occupation, martial status, age as of last birthday, present address, and father's full name.

  • For church weddings, some ministers may require proof of membership.

  • The parties must produce evidence of arrival date in the Islands, usually in the form of a passport stamp.

  • A licence fee of $100.

A blood test is not necessary. Any documents not in English must be translated and notarized by the applicable consulate.

The licence must be obtained from the Registrar Office before the ceremony can take place. If you have any questions, call the Registrar Office in Providenciales for more information.

LEGAL WEDDING REQUIREMENTS IN COSTA RICA

Necessary Documents: A valid passport

Note: Two marriage witnesses (relatives or friends) are required. After the ceremony, the couple, their witnesses, and an attorney sign the marriage statement. It is then submitted to the Civil Registry of Costa Rica, the governmental institution which records marriages. After registration, which normally takes about 10 weeks, the Civil Registry executes the marriage certificate and sends a certificate that has been officially translated and authenticated by the Consulate to the couple to submit to their marriage record office. Costa Rican marriages are recognized all over the world. You must be at least 18 years old to marry in Costa Rica.

Women must also take a pregnancy test, administered by the Supreme Court of Costa Rica at the Forensic Medicine Office, (506) 295-3000. If the test is negative, there is no waiting period. Accordng to Costa Rican law, a woman doesn't change her last name after marriage. In all legal documents, the bride's name will appear as it does in her passport. Changes may occur after submitting the license to the marriage record office in her country.

For More Info: US Embassy Consular Section, (506) 220-3050, or visit http://usembassy.or.cr/consfaq.html.