Legal Requirements for Destination Weddings by Country

Mexico Wedding Requirements

Mexican Embassy (416)368-2875

The information below is a general list of requirements to perform a legal wedding ceremony in Mexico. Depending on the area of Mexico or even resort you are having your wedding ceremony at, legal requirements may vary. Please check with the Mexico tourism department or wedding coordinator at your resort for additional information on legal requirements and fees for weddings in Mexico. All information below is subject to change without notice.

Ceremony Requirements: For a wedding ceremony to be considered legal and binding in Mexico, the bride/groom must have a civil ceremony with a Justice of the Peace.

Necessary Documentation: The bride/groom must bring original copies of the following documents:

• Official birth certificate
• A valid, non-expired passport
• Tourist card (this should be given to you at the airport upon arrival)

TIP: Make two photocopies of each of the documents above and pack in a separate suitcase such as your checked baggage. Make sure to bring any original documents within your carry-on luggage.

Blood Test: A blood test will need to be performed in the destination with test results of syphilis, HIV, and Rh factor (blood type).

TIP: Some resorts may provide this service at the resort instead of needing to go to a clinic, so check with your wedding coordinator to see if they provide this service on-site.

Waiting Period: It is recommended that the bride/groom arrive at least 5 days prior to the wedding date to ensure translation of any necessary documents.

Witnesses: You must have two witnesses over the age 18.

Divorced/Widowed Travelers:

• For divorced or widowed parties, you must provide official copies of the divorce decree or a certified death certificate that verifies it has been at least 12 months since the official divorce from or death of the previous spouse.
• A negative pregnancy test verified by the Mexican Consulate if the bride was divorced within the last year.

Caribbean Wedding Requirements

ARUBA

Office of Civil Registry

Tel: (297) 583-4400 Fax: (297)583-9160

The information below is a general list of requirements to perform a legal wedding ceremony in Aruba. Please check with the Aruba tourism department or wedding coordinator at your resort for additional information on legal requirements and fees for weddings in Aruba. All information below is subject to change without notice.

Necessary Documentation: The bride/groom must bring original copies of the following documents:

• Copies of Official birth certificate
•  A valid, non-expired passport with photographed pages of the bride and groom’s passport
• Witness (18 Years up) passport picture page or valid state issued picture ID (minimum 2 witnesses).
• A report with an “apostille” (special seal) from the bride/groom’s country of citizenship that proves their eligibility to marry and single status

TIP: Make two photocopies of each of the documents above and pack in a separate suitcase such as your checked baggage. Make sure to bring any original documents within your carry-on luggage.

Waiting Period: The bride/groom must send copies of all documents above to the Civil Registry in Aruba at least one month prior to the wedding date for civil wedding ceremonies in order to apply for a marriage license.

Witnesses: You must have two witnesses over the age 18.

Divorced/Widowed Travelers: Divorced or widowed parties must provide official copies of the divorce decree or a certified death certificate.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Dominican Republic Consulate:

(416) 369-0403

www.dominicanweddings.net

Tel (416)739-1237 Fax (416)512-8041

The information below is a general list of requirements to perform a legal wedding ceremony in the Dominican Republic. Please check with the Dominican Republic tourism department or wedding coordinator at your resort for additional information on legal requirements and fees for weddings in the Dominican Republic. All information below is subject to change without notice.

Necessary Documentation: The bride/groom must bring original copies of the following documents:

• Official birth certificate and 2 photocopies (long version form with parent's names)
• A valid, non-expired passport
• An Affidavit that provides proof of Single Status translated by an official translator into Spanish at the Dominican Consulate where the document was issued

TIP: Make two photocopies of each of the documents above and pack in a separate suitcase such as your checked baggage. Make sure to bring any original documents within your carry-on luggage.

Bride and groom must arrive in the DR at least 3 days prior to the ceremony, Sundays and holidays do not count.

All documents listed must be officially translated into Spanish and certified by a Notary Public.

Witnesses: You must have two witnesses over the age 18.

Divorced/Widowed Travelers: Divorced or widowed parties must provide official copies of the divorce decree or a certified death certificate translated by an official translator into Spanish at the Dominican Consulate where the document was issued.

JAMAICA

Jamaica High Commission

Website: www.jhcottawa.ca

Tel (613) 233-9311 Fax (613) 233-0611

The information below is a general list of requirements to perform a legal wedding ceremony in Jamaica. Please check with the Jamaica tourism department or wedding coordinator at your resort for additional information on legal requirements and fees for weddings in Jamaica. All information below is subject to change without notice.

Necessary Documentation: The bride/groom must bring original copies of the following documents:

• Proof of citizenship
• Official birth certificate
• A valid, non-expired passport
• Written authorization from the parents/ guardians if the bride or groom is under 18 years of age

TIP: Make two photocopies of each of the documents above and pack in a separate suitcase such as your checked baggage. Make sure to bring any original documents within your carry-on luggage. French Canadians need a notarized and translated English copy of all documents accompanied with photocopy of original French documents.

Waiting Period: The bride/groom must be in the destination for at least 24 hours prior to the wedding and must apply for a marriage license at least 48 hours prior to the wedding. All wedding documents must be sent to the resort performing the wedding ceremony at least 10 business days prior to the wedding date.

Divorced/Widowed Travelers: Divorced or widowed parties must provide official copies of the divorce decree or a certified death certificate.

BAHAMAS

Bahamas Tourist Office

Website: www.bahamas.com

Tel (416) 968-2999 Fax (416) 968-6711

The information below is a general list of requirements to perform a legal wedding ceremony in The Bahamas. Please check with The Bahamas tourism department or wedding coordinator at your resort for additional information on legal requirements and fees for weddings in The Bahamas. All information below is subject to change without notice.

Necessary Documentation: The bride/groom must bring original copies of the following documents:

• Official birth certificate and photo identification for the bride and groom
•  A valid, non-expired passport
• Written authorization from the parents/ guardians if the bride or groom is under 18 years of age
• An Affidavit that provides proof of Single Status that is sworn before an authorized official or notary public
• Evidence of the date of arrival in the Bahamas (i.e. the immigration card that was received on entry)

TIP: Make two photocopies of each of the documents above and pack in a separate suitcase such as your checked baggage. Make sure to bring any original documents within your carry-on luggage.

Waiting Period: The bride/groom must be in the destination for at least 24 hours prior to the wedding.

Divorced/Widowed Travelers: Divorced or widowed parties must provide official copies of the divorce decree or a certified death certificate.

SAINT LUCIA

Consulate General of Saint Lucia

Phone (416) 203-8400 Fax: (416) 203-8486

The information below is a general list of requirements to perform a legal wedding ceremony in St. Lucia. Please check with the St. Lucia tourism department or wedding coordinator at your resort for additional information on legal requirements and fees for weddings in St. Lucia. All information below is subject to change without notice.

Necessary Documentation: The bride/groom must bring original copies of the following documents (which must all be in English or translated into English by a legal translator):

• Official birth certificate
• A valid, non-expired passport
• If under the age of 18, the bride/groom must present evidence of a consent of parents with a sworn affidavit stamped by a Notary Public

TIP: Make two photocopies of each of the documents above and pack in a separate suitcase such as your checked baggage. Make sure to bring any original documents within your carry-on luggage.

Waiting Period: The bride/groom must be in the destination for at least 72 hours prior to the wedding, which must include 3 business days (day of arrival can’t be included).

Divorced/Widowed Travelers: Divorced or widowed parties must provide official copies of the divorce decree or a certified death certificate.

TURKS & CAICOS

British Consulate - General

Telephone (416) 593-1290 Fax (416) 593-1229

The information below is a general list of requirements to perform a legal wedding ceremony in Turks & Caicos. Please check with the Turks & Caicos tourism department or wedding coordinator at your resort for additional information on legal requirements and fees for weddings in Turks & Caicos. All information below is subject to change without notice.

Necessary Documentation: The bride/groom must bring original copies of the following documents (which must all be in English or translated into English by a legal translator):

• Official birth certificate
• A valid, non-expired passport
• Evidence of date of arrival to Turks & Caicos (such as a boarding pass or tourist card)
• Written authorization from the parents/guardians if the bride or groom is under 21 years of age in the form of an affidavit stamped by the Notary Public

TIP: Make two photocopies of each of the documents above and pack in a separate suitcase such as your checked baggage. Make sure to bring any original documents within your carry-on luggage.

Waiting Period: The bride/groom must be in the destination for at least 72 hours prior to the wedding, which must include 3 business days (day of arrival can’t be included).

Divorced/Widowed Travelers: Divorced or widowed parties must provide official copies of the divorce decree or a certified death certificate.

CUBA

Cuban Consulate Canada

Tel:(416) 234-8181 Fax (416) 234-2754

The information below is a general list of requirements to perform a legal wedding ceremony in Cuba. Depending on the resort you are having your wedding ceremony at, legal requirements may vary. Please check with the Cuban Tourist Board

(416)362-0700 or wedding coordinator at your resort for additional information on legal requirements and fees for weddings in Cuba. All information below is subject to change without notice.

All documents listed must be officially translated into Spanish, certified by a Notary Public and accompanied by Certificate of Authenticity in order to be legalized and certified by the Consulate General of Cuba (allow 15-21 business days, (service fee apply).

Necessary Documentation: The bride/groom must bring original copies of the following documents:

• Official birth certificate
• A valid, non-expired passport
• Tourist cards
• Divorce decree and birth certificate of previous marital partner (if applicable)
• Death certificate of previous marital partner (if applicable)

Information sheet must be provided with the following:

• Bride and groom's full names
• Permanent home addresses
• Occupations
• Level of education
• Nationality and full names of parents, living of deceased, for both the bride and groom

Attach a copy of the photo page from passports. Fax copies of all documentation in both English and Spanish to the hotel in Cuba at Least 3 weeks prior to arrival.