British Virgin Islands
Getting married in the British Virgin Islands is not all that difficult. Allow yourself three days on the island to get the marriage license. Applications require passports or a certified copy of your original birth certificate, and another form of photo identification. If you have been divorced, you need legal proof of the divorce decree. Likewise, you will need the death certificate of a deceased spouse, if applicable. No blood tests are required, but you will be required to buy $110.00 in BVI postage stamps. Marriage ceremony fees are payable to the Registrar in Road Town. The cost is $35.00 if performed in the office or $100.00 if performed elsewhere. Click the link for more information about "Weddings and honeymoons Virgin Islands-style".
Anguilla
For those interested in getting married on Anguilla, both parties must present proof of citizenship in a resident country. Such proof includes a valid passport, birth certificate or driver’s license with photo. If either party has been divorced or widowed, the divorce decree or death certificate of the deceased spouse must be presented. Documents must be notarized and written or translated into English. If one member of the couple has resided in Anguilla for at least 15 days before the date of the nuptials, the cost of the marriage license is $40.00, or $284.00 if residency has been less than 15 days. In addition, there is a nominal duty stamp. Allow approximately two working days to process the license. Two witnesses are required to attend the marriage ceremony. For further information or to apply for a license, contact: Registrar, Judicial Department, The Valley, Anguilla. Telephone: 809-496-2377.
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St. Martin
To get married on the French side of the island, either the bride or groom must have resided on the island for no less than six months. No such requirement exists for the Dutch side. Foreign visitors not registered as residents who wish to get married on St. Martin must request permission to do so from the Lt. Governor of the Island Territory of St. Martin by faxing a letter to the Lt. Governor’s Office, Government Administration Building, 59-95-24884. Registration with the Office of Civil Registry has to take place at least |
10 days prior to the wedding date. Parties must be 18 years or older on the Dutch side and 21 years old on the French side. Must parties must present a declaration of marital status and, if divorced, a divorce certificate. For more information, contact the Office of Civil Registry: Telephone: 59-95-22457.
St. Barth
Couples planning an on-island wedding on St. Barth will need to present original birth certificates or copies with a raised seal. A certificate of good conduct, including a certification of single status is also required. A residency card that provides proof that at least one member of the couple has resided on the island for no less than one month is also required. Couples will need to provide medical certificates with blood test results issued within three months of the wedding date. French translations of English-language documents must be provided. A “Bulletin de Mariage” and a “Livret de Famille” will be presented at the ceremony. There is no fee. For more information, contact the tourist bureau of St. Barth.
St. Kitts and Nevis
It takes two days to get a marriage license. The documentation required is a birth certificate or passport. If either party was previously married, proof of divorce or the death certificate of a deceased spouse is required. The license costs $80.00, and no blood tests are required. If a religious ceremony is to be performed with a priest of any denomination, the couple must present a letter from their priest at home stating that the couple is known to the priest and that the couple is known to be unmarried. For more information, contact the St. Kitts/Nevis Department of Tourism.
Antigua and Barbuda
To marry on either island, couples must first register at the Ministry of Legal Affairs at the Courthouse in St. John’s and pay a fee of $40.00. The application fee for a marriage license is $150.00 and the marriage officer’s fee is $50.00. To apply for a marriage license, couples must present valid passports as proof of citizenship. If either party has been divorced, the original divorce decree must be presented. If either party has been widowed, the original marriage and death certificate are required. Both parties must be over the age of 15 to marry. If under the age of 18, written authorization to wed from their parents or guardians is required. All documents presented must be originals or certified as originals by the issuing authority. In addition, they must be in the individual’s legal name. If either party is known by another name, they must provide affidavits. Two witnesses to the marriage are required. If a church wedding is to be performed, the couple must secure permission of the church authorities. Some churches also require that couples attend pre-nuptial counseling. For more information, including a list of churches, contact the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism.
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Guadeloupe
The strict requirements of marrying on Guadeloupe call for more advanced planning than is necessary on other Caribbean islands. While there is no fee for a marriage license, allow at least one month to obtain it. A blood test is required as are both parties’ original birth certificates. Certificates of good conduct and certificates of single status are also required by both parties. Residency cards must be presented, as well as medical certificates,
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| including a blood test issued within three months of the wedding. All documents must be accompanied by a French translation. A “Bulletin de Mariage” and “Livret de Famille” will be presented at the ceremony. For more information, contact the Office Departmental du Tourisme de la Guadeloupe. Tel: 011-590-82-09-30.
Dominica
Because of the simplicity of getting married in Dominica, it is ideal for something impromptu. One member of the couple is required to be in Dominica for a minimum of two days prior to filing an application for a marriage license. Application forms are available from the Ministry of Community Development in Roseau. To apply for a non-resident marriage license, couples must present birth certificates and proof of citizenship. In addition, if applicable, proof of a legal divorce decree or the death certificate of a deceased spouse must be presented. No blood tests are required. The cost of the marriage license is approximately $114.00. There is also a lawyer’s fee of $190.00 for statuary declaration on marital status. Marriages at the Registrar’s Office cost $10.00 and those held elsewhere cost $35.00 plus the cost of transportation. For more information, contact the Dominica Tourist Information Office. Tel. 767-448-2045.
Martinique
There is no fee involved; however, couples wishing to get married on Martinique must present an original birth certificate or a copy with a raised seal. Other documents required include a certificate of good conduct with certification of single status. Also required is a residency card. At least one member of the couple must have resided on the island for at least one month. A medical certificate, including proof of a blood test, is also required and must be issued within three months of the marriage. French translations of all documents must be presented. A “Bulletin de Mariage” and a “Livret de Famille” will be presented at the wedding ceremony. For more information, contact the Office Departmental du Tourisme de la Martinique. Tel: 011-596-63-79-60.
St. Lucia
No blood tests are required to get married on St. Lucia. There is a four day residency requirement, which is exactly how long it will take to get the license, provided you present the required documents. These include birth certificates or passports, and change of name documents, if applicable. Couples will also need proof of divorce or the death certificate of a deceased spouse, if applicable. Finally, an affidavit from one of the parties is required. Expect to pay approximately $225.00 for a license, marriage certificate, registrar fees and notary services. Couples should submit an application to the St. Lucia attorney general through a local lawyer or other representative. For more information, contact the St. Lucia Tourist Board, Tel.758-452-4094.
Barbados
Getting married in Barbados is easy. There is no waiting period or minimum length of stay. Application for a marriage license must be made in person by both parties at the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Documents required to apply for the license include a valid passport, original birth certificate of a certified copy, and the airline tickets used to travel to the island including the return tickets. If either party has been divorced, the original divorce decree or a certified copy must be presented. Likewise, if either party is widowed, a certified copy of the previous marriage certificate and death certificate are required. All documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. If neither party is a citizen or resident of Barbados, the fee is BDS$150.00 cash, with an additional $25.00 stamp fee.
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St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Allow at least three days to obtain the marriage license. There is a one day residency requirement. Birth certificates or passports are required, but blood tests are not. Proof of divorce or the death certificate of a deceased spouse must be presented, if applicable. A Governor General’s license can be obtained through the Ministry of Tourism, Aviation, Culture and Women’s Affairs. An ordinary license can be obtained through the Registrar. The cost will be around $185.00. For more information, contact the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Tel: 784-457-1502.
Grenada
It will take three days to obtain a wedding license in Grenada, which requires the presentation of passports and birth certificates. A deed poll is also required if either party has had a name change. Proof of divorce or a death certificate is required if either party is divorced or was formerly married to a now-deceased spouse. Proof of single status must be presented- ie. a letter from an attorney stating that both parties have the right to wed. No blood tests are required. The license will cost
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| around $167.00 and additional fees will be approximately another $15.00. If either party is under the age of 21, written parental consent is required. All documents must be written in or translated into English.
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