“ It's estimated that about 6,000 Canadians a year are choosing to get married a plane-trip away from the hassle - and crippling average $22,500 cost - of the traditional church and reception-hall wedding. Demand for the Caribbean and Mexico has been particularly strong and growing by about 20 per cent a year for the last three years, travel experts say. ” Toronto Star Jan/04
Are you thinking of getting married abroad?? If so, let one of our wedding co-coordinators organize your “big-day” for you. As certified Sandals Specialist and experienced players in the group and incentive travel industry, we would be honored to arrange your wedding abroad. There are numerous proven advantages for organizing your wedding “away from home”, not to mention that with group sizes of 20 or more, the bride/groom can travel for free. Call us today for a “no obligations” group wedding quotation.
Below you find a list of requirements for all Caribbean destinations that you may be planning your special day:
[Antigua] [Bahamas] [Costa Rica] [Cuba] [Las Vegas] [Mexico] [St.Kitts] [St.Lucia] [Turks and Caicos]
Antigua
1. Couple must provide from their Country of Citizenship an "apostile" report (a statistics search from the Bureau of Vital Statistics) as Proof that they are both indeed single and eligible to marry.
2. Each person must submit copies of their birth certificate with a raised seal.
3. If either party has been divorced they must submit a copy of their divorce decree.
4. If either party has been widowed, they must submit a copy of the death certficate.
5. Couple must be holders of valid passports and submit with their application, copies of the pages showing all relevant details.
6. Copies of the passport pages of their witnesses must also be submitted (if couple does not have any witnesses, they will be provided at an additional fee).
7. All documents are to be faxed for review and then submitted by courier (i.e. FedEx) at least one (1) month prior to desired wedding date.
8. All civil ceremonies must take place inside the City Hall (Bureau Burgerlijke Stand) in Oranjestad.
9. Ceremonies are performed Wednesdays through Saturdays.
10. Times are from 10AM- 11:30AM then 2PM- 6PM .
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Bahamas
1. Both parties must be in The Bahamas at the time of the application.
2. Bahamas Law states that the couple must be resident in The Bahamas for 24 hours prior to the date of the application. A Bahamian-issued marriage license is valid for 90 days for those seeking early application. You can write the Registrar General prior to your arrival at: P.O. Box H-5553, Nassau , Bahamas , or fax to 242-322-5553. If either party is a minor (a person under 18 years of age), parental consent is required. Forms of consent may be obtained from the Registrar General's office.
3. If either party has been divorced, the original final decree or a certified copy (with a raised or colored seal) must be produced. For European residents, the original decree or a certified copy (with a raised or colored seal) must be produced in the native language along with a translated certified or notarized copy in English.
4. If either party is widowed, the death certificate of the deceased spouse must be produced.
5. If either party is unmarried, for a citizen or resident of the U.S.A., a declaration certifying this fact must be sworn before a U.S. Consul at the American Embassy, Nassau, Bahamas, for a fee of $55 (effective February 1st, 1998), or a Bahamian Notary Public. (Please note, the U.S. Embassy is closed on American and Bahamian holidays.)
6. If either party is unmarried and is a citizen or resident of a country other than the U.S.A. , 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 marriage license. Said declaration may also be obtained at a Notary Public in Marsh Harbour .
7. The parties must produce some form of identification that has a photograph attached. The identification document must be issued by a Government Office in the country where the parties reside. A passport is required for persons who are residents of a Commonwealth country.
8. The parties must produce evidence of the date of their arrival in The Islands Of The Bahamas (i.e., airline ticket, immigration card).
9. Persons desirous of being married in a Family Island (any island outside of New Providence or Grand Bahama) can obtain the Marriage License at the Commissioner's Office on that Island and need not come to New Providence or Grand Bahama . Initial inquiries can be made at this office.
10. No blood test is necessary.
11. The fee for a marriage license is $40.00.
NOTE: Marriage licenses are issued at the Office of the Registrar General located in the Rodney Bain Building on Parliament and Shirley Street in Nassau , which is open to the public Monday to Friday between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Closed on weekends and Bahamian Public Holidays.) On The Out Islands, visit the local Commissioner's office to obtain a Marriage License.
Proof of Residence
The Registrar General shall be entitled to insist upon proof of residency.
Apostle Copy of Marriage Certificate
For couples from European countries who may also require an apostle copy of the marriage certificate, this can be obtained after the ceremony once the couple makes an application at the Registrar General's office in Nassau . The process takes seven to ten days.
For further inquiry, call the Register's Offices on the various islands. In Freeport, Grand Bahama Island you may reach them at The Assistant Registrar General of The Bahamas, P.O. Box F-42602, Freeport, Grand Bahamas, Bahamas.
Telephone 242-352-4934/7 or Fax 242-352-4060.
Please note that there are further requirements for couples traveling from certain countries, such as Japan to wed in the Bahamas . Do be sure and ask about all details.
Bahamas
High Commission of The Bahamas
360 Albert St.
Ottawa , ON K1P 6L2
Tel: (613) 232-1724
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Costa Rica
1. The Costa Rican marriage certificate must be translated into English by any official translator of the Ministry of Foreign Relations.
2. It has to be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Relations
3. The certificate must be notarized and signed by the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section. There is a $32 fee for this service.
4. Original birth certificate
5. Affidavit of single status (if applicable)
6. Police record
7. Valid passport
8. Divorce decree (if applicable)
325 Dalhouise Street, Suite 407
Ottawa , ON , K1N 7G2
Canada
Tel: 613-562-2855
Fax: 613-562-2582
Contact: Mr. Carlos Miranda Arrinda, Ambassador
No residency period; fee of $32.
Women must take a pregnancy test. This is administered by the Supreme Court of Costa Rica at the Forensic Medicine Office (Medicatura Forense de la Corte Suprema de Justicia) in San Joaquin de Flores in Heredia , Costa Rica . Their telephone number is 506-295-3000.
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Cuba
Fees: N/A
Required Documents:
- All documents need to be photocopied and certified by your local lawyer. They are then sent to the Cuban Embassy with translations to be legalized.
- Both birth certificates - must show both parents' full names or attach details separately, passports, divorce decree, if applicable.
- Affidavit stating both parties are single, full names, religions and occupations. Please photocopy everything.
- Three (3) day residency is needed.
- Weddings are are performed on weekdays only.
Attention: U.S. citizens need a Treasury Dept. license in order to engage in any transactions related to travel to and within Cuba (this includes the use of U.S. currency). Before planning any travel to Cuba , U.S. citizens should contact the Licensing Division, Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Penn. Ave., N.W. , Washington , D.C. 20220 (202/622-0077).
NOTICE: * If divorced or widowed - the below documents must be translated into Spanish and authenticated by the Cuban Consulate in the country where they were issued.
Notarised copy of Divorce Decree final judgement (if applicable)*
Notarised copy of Spouses Death Certificate (if applicable
Cuban Canadian Embassy
5353 Dundas West, Square Kipling, Suite 401 - 402, Toronto , ON , M9B 6H8
Phone: (416) 234-8181 / 234-1300 Fax: (416) 234-2754
E-mail: cubacon@on.aibn.com
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Las Vegas
In order to get married, you need to apply and receive a marriage license. This is the document in your state that allows you to officially tie the knot under the law. The rules for acquiring your marriage license varies from state to state, so you should check with your city's marriage bureau at your clerk of court's office (702 455 3156) to find out what your local rules are.
You'll typically need to apply for your marriage license at least one month before your wedding ceremony. You'll traditionally need to send in your birth certificates, tax information, and other official documents. You don't, however, want to apply for your marriage license too early. In some states, the licenses do expire, if you don't get married within a few months.
When you apply for your license, you'll not only need a proof of identification and age, will need to provide any information about previous marriages, and will need to pay a nominal fee. You will also need to have a witness when you sign the application, so plan on bringing your maid of honor or best man with you. The bride will need to know what her married name will be before she signs the marriage certificate. You'll have to write that name on the application.
Just because you have your marriage license sent to you in the mail does not mean you are officially married. You need to have a justice of the peace or a religious clergyman sign the document. On your wedding day, you'll give your chaplain your marriage license, then after the ceremony, he'll sign it and send it to the proper government agency for validation.
ID Requirement Valid picture identification.
Acceptable identification includes:
• Valid Driver's License
• Valid Identification Card from DMV
• Valid Passport
• Valid Military ID
• Resident Alien card
• Certified or original Birth Certificate.
• If a foreign birth certificate, it must be translated into English and notarized.
• You need to know your social security number, too!
Residency Requirement: Do not have to be a resident of Nevada .
If Divorced: Your divorce must be final. You need to know the date (month, year) of your divorce, and the location (city and state) where you were divorced.
Application Requirement: Both the bride and groom must appear in person at the time of applying.
Waiting Period: No waiting period.
Fees: $55.00
Blood Tests: No blood test requirement
Under 18: If you are 16 or 17 years old, you must have one parent or legal guardian present. A notarized written permission is also acceptable. It must be written in English and needs to state the name, birth date, age of the minor child, along with the relationship of the person giving consent. The notary must note that the parent or guardian personally appeared before or was subscribed and sworn to. If you are under 16, marriage can be authorized only by court order when the request has been filed by either parent or legal guardian.
Proxy Marriages: No. Both parties must be present.
Cousin Marriages: Not nearer of kin than second cousins or cousins of half blood.
Miscellaneous: Requirements for U.S. citizens and Non U.S. citizens are the same.
Officiants: Any ordained minister in good standing with his denomination, whose denomination is incorporated or organized or established in the State of Nevada may perform marriages. Ministers are required to complete a complicated procedure to obtain a certificate of permissions to perform marriages. Among other requirements, the applicant's ministry must be primarily one of service to his congregation or denomination and his performance of marriages must be incidental to such service.
Valid: License is valid for 1 year.
The license can only be used within the State of Nevada
Clark County
County clerks office
Phone: 775-687-4322
Web: www.co.clark.nv.us
Email:webmaster@co.clark.nv.us
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Mexico
Well, just like in Canada , regulations vary by state, and sometimes by city.
Hiring a wedding consultant is a good idea, and a good source is Weddings on the Move, Inc. They take care of all legal documentation, wedding packages and destination.
Civil ceremonies are the only ones recognized in Mexico . A religious ceremony can be had, but it isn't considered official.
Here's what you'll need:
-Certified copy of you and your partner's birth certificates Birth Certificates - translated into Spanish or international Birth Certificates which include Spanish. Either one must have an “Apostille”. (apostille, is a form of certification, of an American authority, usually the Secretary of State, from the state where they originated, who attaches this apostille to the document.)
- Certified copy of passport (in case you are a Canadian Citizen, you must get them translated and then legalized with the Mexican Embassy or Consulate)
- A blood test to be done in Mexico , or at least notarized by a Mexican doctor. Must contain; Blood type, R&H factor, Syphilis test and HIV test. They must be done once upon you arrive by a doctor in Mexico , as required by the civil ministry office. Blood test may be obtained also at a local laboratory with a charge of U$120
- Copy of tourist card or visa.
- Four witnesses. Check with city; some require Mexicans, with others U.S. citizens are fine. Names, addresses, ages, nationalities & tourist card numbers are needed for all four witnesses.
- Fulfilling these requirements take 2 to 4 days to be complete.
- If you are divorced or widowed, one full year must elapse from date of the following:
- Divorced, final dissolution of marriage must be verified with a certified copy of the divorce decree.
- Widowed, a certified copy of spouse's death certificate must be verified.
- Citizens under age 18 need parent or guardian's consent
- Cost is approximately US$230
.
Mexico Embassy in Canada
45 O'Connor Suite 1500
Ottawa ON
K1P 1A4
Telephone: (613) 233-8988
Fax: (613) 235-9123
REQUIREMENTS TO BE WED IN MEXICO FOLLOWING ARE ALL DOCUMENTS THAT ARE TO BE RECEIVED BY GUEST SERVICES AT THE GRAND MARIVAL NO LATER THAN 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE DESIRED WEDDING DATE.
REQUIREMENTS
1 . Notarised photocopy of bride and grooms original birth certificates-preferably the ones with both parents4names listed - PLEASE NOTE: If BORN in country different than country of present residence, the birth certificate must be legalized at the Embassy or Consulate of birth country, prior to the following instructions.
2. Notarised letter attesting that both the bride and groom are single and free to marry.
3. If divorced, notarised photocopy of divorce decree.
4. If adopted, notarized photocopy of original adoption paper.
5. If widowed, notarized photocopy of original widow document.
6. If you have legally changed your name, notarised photocopy of name change document.
7. Photocopy of photo identification, ie. Passport, drivers licence, military card.
8. Photocopies of the 4 witnesses photo identification. Wedding form completed (provided by us when requested)
10 If there is a pre nuptial agreement, notarized photocopy.
** PLEASE NOTE IF DIVORCED, THE "SINGLE FREE TO MARRY" LETTER MUST STILL BE DONE
1-6 & 10 must be translated into Spanish.
Your Notary or City Hall should be able to provide you with information on REGISTERED Translators of Legal documents
AND THEN THEY 1-7 & 10 must be LEGALIZED as official documents "SERVICIO EXTERIOR MEXICANO" by the Mexican Consulate for Canadians.
United States and United Kingdom citizens documents must have the Apostille from the Courts.
9 Completed, is to be included with documents couriered to hotel. THEN COURIER THE DOCUMENTS TO THE HOTEL
We recommend the use of a courier service for your documents, such as DHL.. Originals of 1, 7, 8 along with Tourist Visa (received upon entrance to Mexico ) must be presented to Guest Services upon arrival at the Hotel.
Blood work is to be performed the morning after arrival (unless following morning is Sunday, in which case Monday morning). It is mandatory for the blood work to be done in Mexico to be legal.
See guest services to make arrangements with the Hotel4s Doctor.
The couple must be in Mexico 5 calendar days prior to wedding.
The wedding date and time is not confirmed until the Judge has received all documentation, (less the documents presented upon arrival), providing date and times do not conflict with Judge4s agenda.
Copies sent NOT translated, will be translated upon receipt and billed upon your arrival.
Documents received WITHOUT the Consulates legalization or Apostille will not be accepted or processed by the Judge.
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St. Kitts
Marriage Licence
There are two types of marriage licenses that are available on the islands.
a) Ordinary Licence: One of the parties has to be resident in St. Kitts or Nevis for the space of 15 days preceding the date of the application for the licence
b) Special Licence: One of the parties has to be resident in St. Kitts or Nevis to apply for this licence. It takes two business days to process, prior to the date of the wedding.
Step 1
Application forms for the licence must be obtained from Legal Department
In St. Kitts: Government Headquarters
Church Street , Basseterre
Tel: 869-465-2521
In Nevis : Legal Office
Government Road , Charlestown
Tel: 869-469-5521
Documents required: Proof of citizenship with photo ID
If divorced – Absolute Decree
If widowed – Death Certificate
If under the age of 18 years – notarized parental consent
*All documents must be in English or a notarized English translation.
**Please note: If planning to get married in Nevis and have never been married before, an affidavit is required confirming single status. This can be obtained from a Notary Public before traveling, or in Nevis for a cost of US $20.00 or EC $50.00.
Step 2
Cost of Licence: Special Licence: EC$200
Ordinary Licence: EC$ 50
Payment is in the form of Stamp duty. Stamps maybe purchased at:
Post Office or Post Office
Bay Road Main Street
Basseterre , St. Kitts Charlestown , Nevis
These stamps must be affixed to the application forms.
Step 3
a) Forms must be completed
b) Forms must be signed in the presence of a Justice of Peace
Cost for the Justice of Peace varies between EC$30-50.
Step 4
Return completed forms with documents to Legal Department. The processing requires two business days.
Step 5
Marriage Officers
The following persons are authorized to perform marriage ceremonies.
1) Ministers of Religion
2) Magistrates
Cost varies between EC$20-$100, depending on the time, place and type of wedding.
Other Marriage Officers (Ministers of Religion)
If a Catholic Minister is to perform the ceremony, a letter must come from the couple's resident priest verifying that they are unmarried, and that they received the necessary instructions.
If an Anglican or other Minister of Religion is to perform the ceremony, a letter must come from the couple's resident minister verifying that they are known and unmarried.
Wedding Consultants - TDC Fort Street , Basseterre , St. Kitts.
Kantours P.O. Box 44 , Liverpool Row, Basseterre , St. Kitts.
Available through Guest Services at most hotels.
T.D.C. WEDDING CONSULTANTS – Tel: 869-465-2511
Fax: 869-465-5330
Email: main@tdcltd.com
KANTOURS WEDDING CONSULTANTS – Tel: 869-465-3054
Fax: 869-465-4385
Email: kantours@caribsurf.com
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St. Lucia
Waiting period: 2 days residency; 2 days for license
- Change of name documents.
- Proof of divorce or death certificate.
- Birth certificate or passport.
- All foreign documents must be translated into English.
- Apply through a local lawyer to the Attorney General for marriage license.
Cost approx. US$198
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Turks and Caicos
The following documents (originals) must be produced in person:
1. A valid Passport.
2. Birth Certificate.
3. Proof of your marital status - If you are single, a sworn affidavit is required.
4. If one of the parties is a divorcee, then proof of Decree Absolute is required, either the original or a notarised copy, sealed by the Clerk of the Court.
5. In the case of a Widow/Widower, the Death Certificate of the previous spouse is required.
6. If you have changed your name by Deed Poll or are adopted then proof is required.
7. If under the age of 21 years then evidence is required as consent of one or both parents or guardian, in the form of an affidavit stamped by the Notary Public.
8. he parties must not be within the prohibited degree of relationships to each other.
9. Letter stating both parties occupations, marital status, age as of last birthday, present address of residence and fathers full name.
10. Any Passports or documentation written other than in English should be translated in advance and notarised by the applicable consulate.
11. All original documents must be presented to the Registrar by the person completing the forms.
12. The marriage must be solemnised by a registrar of Marriage Officer (usually the Registrar General for Special Licences) who is entitled to payment of reasonable travelling expenses if the marriage takes place other than at his usual place of business.
Fee: Wedding License is $50.00 US.
Residency Requirement: Period of 1-day (24Hours) before an application for a Marriage Licence can be made to the Registrar in Grand Turk. The ceremony can then take place after a period of 2-3 days or at any time after the application has been granted.
The ceremony will be conducted by a local minister, Justice of the Peace or Registrar and we have been assured by the both the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the General Registrar's office in London that the marriage is legal in accordance with British Law.
Consulate of Canada
Mr. H. McLean
Honorary Consul
P.O. Box 62 , Turks and Caicos Islands
Phone: 649-941-5245
FAX: 649-946-4484
E-mail: ewing@mcleanmally.com
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