The Government of Anguilla permits visiting couples to marry on the island under the authority of a special license which takes 48 hours to process. It is recommended that couples arrive several days before the intended ceremony date to arrange paperwork.

Visitors from America, Europe and any country that are allowed entry without special permission are invited to come to Anguilla for their wedding.

Documents required to apply for a marriage license are the same as the documents needed for entry to Anguilla. These documents include: proof of citizenship such as a valid passport or birth certificate and driver's license with photo. In the event that one or both of the "intended" are re-marrying, proof of divorce or death certificate is required.

If one partner resides in Anguilla for at least fifteen days before the date of marriage, the cost of the license is US$40. If the stay is shorter, then the cost of the license is $284 stamp duty. Two witnesses are required.

More Information, contact :
Anguilla Tourist Board of Canada
116C Hazelton Avenue
Toronto, ON. M5R 2E3
Tel: 416-923-9813 Fax: 416-944-3191

What is required:
- Residency of three working days prior to ceremony
- Affidavit, obtained in Antigua, stating that both parties are single and free to marry
- Birth certificates, Passports, Special marriage license - obtained from the Ministry of Justice, Divorce Decree Absolute (if applicable)

Civil Fees (not including resort/hotel cerermony, flowers, photos etc) apply, prices are subject to change
Special marriage license - US$150
Registration fee - US$40
Marriage Officer's fee - US$50

More Information:
Consulate General of Antigua and Barbuda
60 St Clair Ave E. Suite 304
Toronto ON. M4T 1N5
Tel: 416-961-3143 Fax: 416-961-7218

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Office
60 St Clair Ave. E. Suite 304
Toronto, ON. M4T 1N5
Tel: 416-961-3085 Fax: 416-961-7218

Civil marriages are now possible in Aruba, but they must take place at the Civil Town House. Couples may also arrange a religious blessing after they have been legally married or just hold a romantic celebration beachside if they prefer.

The following are the guidelines for the various ceremonies.

CIVIL Legal Requirements:
1. All Civil/Legal Ceremonies must take place in the Civil Town House
2. Documents include:
A) Copies of birth certificate for bride and groom with apostille (state certification).
B) Passport picture page or valid state issued picture I.D. for Bride & Groom.
C) Witness (18 years up) passport picture page or valid state issued picture I.D. (minimum 2 witnesses) Witnesses can provided locally if bride and groom are traveling alone at $50 each by a weddingplanner.
D) Certificate of no impediment for bride and groom (also referred to as a “single status report” and in some states called a “negative statement of marriage”). This certificate of no impediment is obtained at the bureau of vital statistics which is located in the department of health.
E) If either party has been divorced we need to receive a copy of the 1st and last page of the divorce decree(s).
F) If either party is a widow(er) we need to receive a copy of the pertaining death certificate.
Ceremony can take place in the late morning or early afternoon on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays.
Saturdays are also available in the late mornings at an additional $150 surcharge.
3. 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.
Office of Civil Registry
Attn: Mr. Betto Christiaans
Schoolstraat 2
Oranjestad, Aruba
Tel: 011 (297) 583-4400
Fax: 011 (297) 583-9160
pivaruba@setarnet.aw

CATHOLIC:
(Must call first as this is on hold until review of procedures is complete):

1. Proof That the prospective bride and groom have attended pre-marriage preparation.
2. Permission from their priest to get married in Aruba.
3. An official declaration stating that neither party has been previously married in a Church is also required from their local priest.
4. Copy of Wedding Certificate showing that they have been legally married in their home country.
5. Baptismal and Confirmation certificates of both parties as well as copies of their passports or I.D. Cards.
6. The proposed wedding must take place "inside" the Church building.
7. All documents must be submitted 4 months prior to chosen wedding date.

PROTESTANT / EPISCOPALIAN / METHODIST:
1. Wedding Ceremony can be affiliated in the local Protestant / Episcopalian or Methodist Churches or anywhere else the couple desires.
2. If Married outside Aruba, copy of marriage certificate from their home country.
3. Proper attire is required for all "religious blessings"( ie: No Swimsuits nor Wraps for the Bride: Shorts are acceptable for the Groom.

JEWISH:
1. Both partners MUST bet Jewish and need to submit a verification of Judaism from the Rabbi of their hometown
2. The Aruban Cantor accepts Jewish status certificates from valid Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Liberal and Re-Constructionist Authorities.
3. A formal petition needs to be submitted to the Aruba Jewish Community.
4. The wedding ceremony may take place either in the synagogue or any other venue of choice.
5. The synagogue of Aruba is an independent Conservative-Reform style congregation.

AT SEA:
A boat captain is not authorized to officiate a wedding according to Dutch laws. This applies for international waters as well as in port. The only exception to this rule is if he has been given authority by the country under whose flag the ship is registered.

More Information:
Aruba Tourism Authority
5875 Hwy 7, Suite 201
Vaughan, ON. Canada L4L 1T9
Tel: 905-264-3434 Fax: 905-264-3437

Legal marriage requirements in Australia are no worries for Canadian or U.S. citizens!

As long as you organize the paperwork before you leave home, you can literally marry in Australia any time, anywhere. Australian law requires that all marriage papers are submitted no less than 31 days before the wedding day. What you need is : Notice Of Intended Marriage Form - available from any Australian Embassy or Consulate around the world. Ask the Consulate to send you the blue 'Notice of Intended Marriage Form'. Once you have this form, fill it out and have it witnessed by an Australian Consulate official or a public notary, or other recognised official as specified on the back of the form. This document has to be signed and submitted with your Australian wedding coordinator not less than 31 days before the wedding and not more than six months before the wedding ceremony. You'll also need copies of both Birth Certificates.

If this is not the first wedding for either or both of the couple, evidence must be shown how the previous marriage(s) ended, Such as, copies of Divorce Papers or Absolute Decree , if applicable, or copy of a Death Certificate. If your name has been changed by deed poll - show legal proof .

More Information:
Australia High Commission
50 O'Connor St, Suite 710
Ottawa, ON K1P 6L2
Tel: 613-236-0841 Fax: 613-236-4376

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.

More Information :
High Commission for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas
50 O'Connar St, Suite 1313
Ottawa, ON. K1P 6L2
Tel: 613-232-1724 Fax: 613-232-0097

Bahamas Tourist Office
121 Bloor St. E, Suite 1101
Toronto, ON. M4W 3M5
Tel: 416-968-2999 Fax: 416-968-6711

Formalities and Procedures:
In accordance with Law No. 1 of 1974 concerning marriages in Indonesia (Article 2 (1): "a marriage is legitimate if it has been performed according to the laws of the respective religious beliefs of the parties concerned."

All couples who marry in Indonesia must declare a religion. Agnosticism and Atheism are not recognized. The Civil Registry Office can record marriages of persons of Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian-Protestant and Christian-Catholic faiths. Marriage partners must have the same religion, otherwise one partner must make a written declaration of change of religion.

The Religious Marriage under Islam is performed by the Office of Religious Affairs (Kantor Urusan Agama) in a ceremony at a mosque, the home, a restaurant, or any other place chosen by the couple and is legal immediately after the ceremony.

A Christian, Hindu or Buddhist marriage is usually performed first in a church or temple ceremony. After the religious ceremony, every non-Islamic marriage must be recorded with the Civil Registry (Kantor Catatan Sipil). Without the registration by the Civil Registry these marriages are not legal. Recording by Civil Registry officials can be performed directly at the religious ceremony for an additional fee.

Persons of non-Islamic faith are required to file with the Civil Registry Office in the Regency where they are staying first a 'Notice of Intention to Marry' as well as a 'Letter of No Impediment' obtained from their consular representatives.

For the issue of the Letter of No Impediment to Marriage by your Consular Representative you will need to present for yourself and your fiance(e) your Passport(s) valid for more than 6 months and Certified Divorce Decrees (absolute/final) and/or Death Certificates regarding the termination of all previous marriages. Please contact the Consular Representative of your country for details well before the intended date of marriage.

For the Notice of Intention to Marry you have to submit the following documents for both partners to the Civil Registry Office (show the original and present a photocopy):

Two witnesses over the age of 18 are required. They must show the originals and present photocopies of their passports if they are foreign citizens or KTP (identity cards) if they are Indonesian citizens. Civil Registry employees can act as witnesses.

The Civil Registry office has a Mandatory Waiting Period of 10 working days from the date of filing. This waiting period may be waived for tourists presenting a guest registration form (Form A).

Islamic Marriage Certificates (Buku Nikah) issued by the Office of Religious Affairs (Kantor Urusan Agama) are legally valid in Indonesia and do not require registration with any other agency if you are going to live in Indonesia. However, if you might move somewhere else in the future, get a marriage certificate issued by the Civil Registry and an officially certified translation right away (see below).

All other Marriage Certificates will be issued by the Civil Registry usually on the same or next day. A sworn English translation of the marriage certificate should be obtained for use abroad. It is not necessary for the marriage certificate or translation to be registered by your Consular Agency. However, to have the sworn translation of the marriage certificate verified or a special translation made by the Consular Agency of your home country or the Consular Agency of your country of residence might prove useful.

It is very easy to get married in Barbados. There is no required waiting period or minimum length of stay. Application for a marriage licence must be made by both parties in person at the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Documents Required :

• Valid Passports or the original or certified copies of birth certificates.
• If either party was divorced, an original Decree Absolute or a certified copy of the Final Judgement.
• If either party was previously married and widowed, a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate and Death Certificate in respect of the deceased spouse.
• Where necessary, all documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
• Fees: if neither party is a citizen or resident of Barbados - BDS $150.00 cash and a $25.00 stamp.

More Information:
High Commission for Barbados
130 Albert St, Suite 1204
Ottawa, ON. K1P 5G4
Tel: 613-236-9517 Fax: 613-230-4362

Barbados Tourism Authority
Suite 1010, 105 Adelaide St. W.
Toronto, ON. M5H 1P9
Tel: 416-214-9880 Fax: 416-214-9882

The following information will assist visitors who are considering getting married in Belize.

Requirements for Civil or Church Wedding:

1. If neither part has previously been married

• Completed marriage license application form - Notarized by a J.P.
• Photocopy of front 2 pages of passport and page showing arrival date into Belize.
• One of the parties must be in country 3 days prior to filing for a wedding license.

2. If either party or both have been previously married

• Completed marriage license application form - Notarized by a J.P.
• Photocopy of front 2 pages of passport and page showing arrival date into Belize.
• One of the parties must be in country 3 days prior to filing for a wedding license.
• Final divorce decrees.

3. If either or both parties is a widow or widower

• Fully completed marriage license application form - Notarized by a J.P.
• Photocopy of front 2 pages of passport and page showing arrival date into Belize.
• One of the parties must be in country 3 days prior to filing for a wedding license.
• Copy of death certificate.

NOTE: Above required documents need to be submitted to licensing authorities along with your marriage license application. Please allow a minimum of (3) work days for processing.

All photocopies should be certified - Faxing application forms are not allowed.
A blood test is not required and parental consent is not required if over 18 years of age.

Services are conducted by an ordained Belizean Pastor. You are required to have two witnesses, either family, friends, hotel guests or staff.

More Information :
Belize Consular Representative in Canada
1080 Beaver Hall Hill
Montreal, PQ H2Z 1S8
Tel: 514-871-4741

Getting married in Bermuda is quite simple.

Request a “Notice of Intended Marriage” form from the Bermuda Registrar General's Office (441-297-7709 or 441-297-7707) or click here to download the form in PDF format (please be aware that the form must be printed on white legal size (8.5" x 14") paper to be accepted).

Fill it out and mail it back to the Registrar General, Government Administration Building, 30 Parliament Street, Hamilton HM 12 Bermuda, along with a cashier's check or bank draft made payable to the Accountant General, Hamilton, Bermuda, in the amount of $210.00 U.S. dollars (plus $21.00 for the certificate).

Your license will be valid for three months, and can be picked up at the Registrar's office by you or a designated person.

More Information :
Bermuda Department of Tourism
1200 Bay Street, Suite 1004
Toronto, ON. M5R 2A5
Tel: 416-923-9600 Fax: 416-923-4840

To get married in the British Virgin Islands you need to apply, in person, for a Marriage Licence at the Attorney General Chambers of the BVI Government. Both the bride and groom must be present to apply for the licence.

Licences will take 3 working days to process and are valid for 3 months.

In order to apply for a marriage licence if you have been in the BVI for 15 days or more you must fulfill the following requirements:

• Pay a fee of $50 in postage stamps from the Post Office
• Have proof of identity and residential status including proof of entry to the BVI such as a passport, birth certificate.
• If previously married, proof of marital status
• Two witnesses should be present to witness and sign the application
• If a minister or civil marriage officer will be performing the marriage ceremony then a letter is required from that person stating their intent to perform the ceremony.
• If the ceremony will be performed by the Registrar then an appointment should be made with the Registrar immediately after applying for the licence.
• Applicants under the age of 18 years require their parents consent to apply for a marriage licence and both parents should be present to sign a consent form.
• Once an application has been processed, the licence will be sent to the Governor's Office for his approval and signature. The approved licence will then be sent to the Registrar's office for collection.

In order to apply for a special marriage licence if you have been in the BVI for less than 15 days you must fulfill the following requirements:

• Pay a fee of $110 in postage stamps from the Post Office
• Have proof of residential status including proof of entry to the BVI such as a passport stamp.

More Information :
British Virgin Islands Tourist Board
3450 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1202
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Tel: 213-736-931 Fax: 213-736-8935

Getting married in the Cayman Islands is fast and easy. Couples can marry the same day they arrive in the Cayman Islands, including those arriving by cruise ship. There is no longer a 72 hour waiting period. All packages can be easily customized to include transportation to and from the cruise ship pier.

What You Need :
We can take care of all your legal requirements, including securing the services of a Marriage Officer and getting the Cayman Islands Marriage License. We will fax the blank form to you to be filled out, or if you wish, we can mail it to you. The application fee for the License, including stamp duty, is $250 U.S. (or CI$190 in Cayman Islands Dollars).

The Marriage License application form requires:
Full names of the Bride and Groom, permanent addresses in your country of residence and occupations of both parties, and your temporary address in the Cayman Islands. The names of the Bride's and Groom's father are also required, even though the application form doesn't specify. Prior to your arrival on Grand Cayman, we will make arrangements for the Marriage Officer to meet with you at a convenient time, at your hotel/condo or at the cruise ship pier, to discuss the ceremony and sort out the final details for the Marriage License. Both parties must sign the Application form. The License can be obtained on the same day of application.

Couples will also need to provide the following when applying for a Marriage License:
The Cayman Islands international embarkation/disembarkation card showing proof of entry. Visitors arriving by air receive this from Immigration upon arrival into the Cayman Islands. Cruise ship passengers may present their Sail and Sign Card to show they are legally in port.

Valid passports or certified copies of birth certificates along with photo identification. The minimum legal age to marry without parental consent is 18 years of age. In the case of previously married individuals, original or certified copies of the divorce decree or death certificate (if spouse has died) are required. These may be faxed in advance, but you will still need to bring the original or certified copies with you.

Two witnesses should be present at the ceremony. They can be provided if required.

More Information :
Government Information Services
Cricket Square, Grand Cayman
Phone: (345) 949-8092 Fax: (345) 949-5936

Cayman Islands Department of Tourism
234 Eglinton Ave E. Suite 306
Toronto ON. M4P 1K5
Tel: 416-485-1550 Fax: 416-485-7578

Cook Islands marriages are internationally recognized and, of course, legally binding worldwide. The following is general information for getting married in the Cook Islands. It is recommended that you check with the marriage licensing bureau in your state or province for local requirements regarding marriages.

1. Legal age of consent to marry is 20 years,otherwise written approval by parents required.
2. Application for License must be made in person to the Registrar of Marriages in the Cook Islands at least 3 working days prior to the marriage.
3. Documents Needed. Your passport and birth certificate will be required when filling out the " Notice of Intended Marriage" at the Registrars Office. If divorced a copy of the Decree Absolute in English will be required.
4. Fees:
   Marriage Licence $50.00.
   Marriage Certificate $15.00
   Marriage Waiver Fee ( If you wish to be married less than the 3 days residency requirement) $45
   Marriage Ammendment Fee $20.00
   Church Minister or Priest a donation ( we suggest minimum of $50.00)
   Marriage Celebrant $100.00
   Registrar of the Court. Free if conducted between 8am and 4pm week days and in courtroom only.
   Registrars will conduct the wedding between 4pm & 6pm away from courtroom for $45.00.
5. Churches on the Island;
   Cook Islands Christian Church, (Protestant) Latter Day Saints, Seventh Day Adventists, Roman Catholic.It will be necessary to check with your local minister regarding the requirements to marry in the Church as they will also apply to the Cook Islands.

More Information :
Registrars Department
Department of Justice and Lands Ph: (682) 29-410
PO Box 11 Fax: (682) 29-610
Rarotonga, Cook Islands, South Pacific
E-mail: offices@justice.gov.ck

Cook Islands Tourism Corporation
280 Nelson St. Suite 202
Vancouver, BC V6B 2E2
Tel: 888-994-2665 Fax: 604-687-3454

Foreigners are permitted to get married in Costa Rica. The required legal ceremony can be performed by an attorney.

Applications and/or Documents Required:

Bring along original copies of the following (and be sure pack these in your hand luggage, never in your checked bags):

• A valid passport
• Certified copy of birth certificate
• If previously married, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or a certified copy of death certificate if marriage ended due to death.

If you have not been married before, you must come to the Embassy's Consular Section and make a sworn statement that you are free to marry.

Please note that your marriage cannot be recognized until a marriage certificate is issued by the Costa Rican Civil Registry (Registro Civil). The issuance of the marriage certificate normally takes 4-6 weeks.

Having Your Marriage Recognized: In order for the marriage to be recognized you must do the following:

• The Costa Rican marriage certificate is in Spanish and must be translated into English by any official translator of the Ministry of Foreign Relations
• It has to be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Relations
• The certificate must be notarized and signed by the Embassy's Consular Section

More Information :
Embassy of the Republic of Costa Rica
325 Dalhousie, Suite 407
Ottawa ON. K1N 7G2
Tel: 613-562-2855 Fax: 613-562-2582

The information below outlines the marriage requirements for getting married in Cuba.

• If you have never been married before, all you need is a passport that is valid throughout your stay in Cuba, and a tourist card (available from a travel agent, airline or the Cuban consulate).
• If either the bride or groom has been married before, the previously married person must, in addition to the valid passport and tourist card, also produce the following documents:
  • if divorced: his/her birth certificate and Certificate of Divorce;
  • if widowed: his/her birth certificate, Certificate of Marriage and Certificate of Spouse's Death.
• Have your birth certificate and any divorce/marriage/death documents translated into Spanish and legalized by the Cuban consul in Canada (service fee applies).
• In addition, you must:
  • Create a sheet that lists your names, home address, occupations, level of education, nationality and the full names of your parents, living or deceased.
  • Attach the photo page of your passport to this sheet.
  • Fax copies of all documentation (including the extras described above if you have been married before) in both English and Spanish to your hotel in Cuba at least three weeks before your arrival there.
  • Bring all your original documents with you.

Your marriage will be formalized in the name stated on your passport. Your passport must therefore be correct, and the name on your passport must match that on all your other documents.

After your wedding, your Marriage Certificate will be prepared as quickly as possible and either given to you before you leave (time permitting) or couriered at the hotel's expense to the home address on your documents. Your marriage is legalized by the Canadian Embassy in Havana and the Cuban Foreign Affairs department.

The registrar's office should be contacted for specific rules regarding planning your destination or beach wedding in Cuba. They will also provide information regarding marriage licenses and marriage certificates.

• The documents (birth certificates, certificate of diforce, etc.) must be translated into Spanish if issued in a different language and legalized by the Cuban Consulate in the issuing country.
• All weddings are performed by a Notary Public.
• Wedding ceremonies are performed on weekdays only, that is, from Mondays to Fridays ( from 10:00am to 05:00pm )

Note: It is advisable for those clients interested in getting married in Cuba to contact us before starting any legalization or translation of any required documents to formalize the marriage.

More Information :
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba
388 Main St.
Ottawa ON. K1S 1E3
Tel: 613-563-0141 Fax: 613-563-0068

Cuba Tourist Board
55 Queen St. E, Suite 705
Toronto ON. M5C 1R6
Tel: 416-362-0700 Fax: 416-362-6799

Weddings in the Dominican Republic are easy to arrange, thanks to local laws. Most larger hotels and resorts have on-site wedding coordinators to help with every detail from paperwork to photography. Coordinators need at least 15 days notice (but prefer at least three months to work out all the special details.)

Couples that wish to get married in the Dominican Republic will need to present the following documents in person or by mail to the Dominican Rep. Consulate or Dominican Republic Services (a company in Toronto which assists with the paperwork and legalities for getting married in the Dominican Rep.):

• Valid passport (if sending by mail, send a photocopy of the page with the picture in it)
• Original birth certificate that includes the names of the parents. (translated in Spanish)*
• Single Status Affidavit (translated in Spanish) (One per person).*
• Divorce Act (if married before) (translated in Spanish).*

*This document must be translated to Spanish and legalized by the consular section of the Embassy.

The two Single Status Affidavit and the Divorce Act, have to be legalized by the Legalisation Section of the Dominican Consulate. The cost of the legalization is US$75.00 per document and can be paid cash, if presented in person, or by money order payable to the Dominican Republic Consulate if sent by mail. The Consulate in Montreal offers the translation services for these documents at a cost of US$40.00 each one. Once received, the procedure will take approximately 5 business days, then the documents will be mailed back to you.

Download Declaration Form here (PDF)
Download Solemn Declaration sample here (PDF)
Download DR Wedding Requirements here (PDF)

Please note that all documents except the valid passport, must be sent in original. No faxed copies or photocopies will be accepted. Please include a prepaid return envelope.

There is no waiting period or minimum stay. No blood test is required.

Witnesses: You will need two witnesses. If you provide witnesses, they will each need to bring their passport. Hotels can also provide witnesses.

More Information:
Dominican Republic Services - Toronto
(They assist with paper-work and legalities for getting married in D.R.)
2727 Steeles Ave. W., Ste. 301
Toronto, Ontario M3J 3G9
Phone: (416) 739-1237 Fax: (416) 663-1973

E-mail: consuldom@hotmail.com
www.dominicanrepublicservices.com

Dominican Republic General Consulate - Montreal
1470 Peel St. Suite 263
Montreal, P.Q. H3A 1T1
Phone: (514) 284 - 5455/6600 Fax: (514) 284 - 5511

Dominican Republic General Consulate - Toronto
347 Bay St. Suite 904
Toronto, Ontario M5H 2R7
Phone: (416) 369 - 0403/1602 Fax: (416) 369 - 1685

Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Canada
130 Albert Street, Suite 418
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4
Phone: 613-569-9893
Fax:: 613-569-8673 E-mail: info@drembassy.org
Web: www.drembassy.org

Dominican Republic Tourist Board
2080 Crescent St.
Montreal PQ H3G 2B8
Tel: 514-499-1918 Fax: 514-499-1393

In England you can choose to have either a civil or a religious ceremony. However, please note that no marriage can take place unless all of the legal formalities have been completed.

• Notice of marriage must be given in person to the Superintendent Registrar by one or both of the partners. No one else can do so on their behalf.
• If both partners reside in the same registration district, either party may give notice to the Superintendent Registrar of that district.
• If the couple resides in different districts, then each person must give notice in his/her district. Please Note: Notice cannot be given until both persons have lived in their respective districts for at least seven days. (see below for visitor information)
• After the Superintendent Registrar has been notified of the intended marriage, it is displayed on a public notice board for 21 days. The reason for this is to allow anyone who has any objection to the marriage to register the objection.
• A certificate of marriage is then issued and held at the register office until the day of marriage.
• The marriage has to take place after 21 days and within one year of giving the Notice of Marriage.

Applications and/or Documents Required: Bring along original copies of the following (and be sure pack these in your hand luggage, never in your checked bags):

• Photo ID such as Drivers License or Passport
• Certified Birth Certificate
• If previously married, bring certified copy of divorce decree or death certificate

Waiting Period: 15 days

Residency Requirements: Seven days (visitors need to satisfy both the residential requirement of 7 days and the 15 days waiting period before they can marry)

Blood Test : none

More Information :
United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
80 Elgin St
Ottawa, ON K1P 5K7
Tel: 613-237-1530 Fax: 613-237-7980

British Tourist Authority
5915 Airport Rd. Suite 120
Mississauga ON. L4V 1T1
Tel: 905-405-1720 Fax: 905-405-1835

A license is required to marry in Fiji. These are obtainable within one working day from the Fiji Registry at either Nadi, Suva, Lautoka or Savusavu. Cost F$20, valid 21 days.

What You Need for a Fiji Wedding:

• Passports
• Original birth certificates
• Decree Absolute (divorce papers) if relevant
• Officially witnessed consent of your father if you are under 21
• Death certificate of deceased former spouse
• For Catholic weddings, a letter of Freedom sent 2-3 months in advance to the Fijian Priest along with Baptism Certificates.

More Information:
Fiji Visitors Bureau
5777 West Century Blvd, Suite 220
Los Angeles, CA. 90045
Tel: 800-932-3454 Fax: 310-670-2318

French law states that you or your partner must be a resident of France for at least 40 days prior to the marriage. You will be required to show proof of residency (such as an electric bill, a receipt of rent paid, etc.) when applying for a marriage license.

Because of this law, most people who have their heart set on a wedding in France (but not planning on moving to France) choose to have a vow renewal ceremony instead. The couple may have a small private ceremony before a judge in their hometown, and then travel to France with their wedding party and guests for another ceremony. Most of the time, the bride and groom (and the officiant) are the only people who know that the ceremony is a vow renewal and not the real deal. This way, you can still have your dream wedding in romantic France, but you can also avoid the residency requirements and the extensive amount of paperwork, rules, and regulations.

In some cases, such as a couple living in France to attend school, or if you or your partner is a resident of France, and you wish to obtain a marriage license, here are a few of the requirements for a marriage in France:

• All marriages in France must be performed by a French civil authority (an officier de l'état civil) before any religious ceremony takes place.
• A religious ceremony may be performed after the civil ceremony. The minister, priest or rabbi performing the religious ceremony will require the certificate of civil marriage (certificat de célébration civile) as proof that the civil ceremony has taken place.
• Residence requirement and place of marriage: At least one of the parties must have resided in France for forty (40) days prior to the marriage.
• The civil ceremony will take place in the town of residence.

Publications of banns:

• French law requires the posting of marriage banns at the appropriate city hall no less than ten days before the marriage.
• The first publication of the banns can be made only after thirty days of residence in France.

Required Documents (if you are traveling to France, be sure you pack these in your carry-on bag and not your checked luggage):

Most city halls (mairies) in France require some or all of the following documents:

• A valid passport, or a French residence permit (carte de sejour);
• A birth certificate (extrait d'acte de naissance) less than 3-months-old. Because the information on American/Canadian birth certificates differs from that provided on French birth certificates, individuals born in the U.S. or Canada must generally submit additional information about their marital status.
• An affidavit of marital status (Certificat de Célibat ou de non-remariage) less than 3-months old: French city halls also usually require a certificate of celibacy. It can be done in the form of a notarized affidavit signed before an American Consular officer in France.
• An affidavit of law (certificat de coutume): Some mairies may request an Affidavit of Law and Customs in addition to the Affidavit of Marital Status. The Affidavit of Law and Customs is a statement about U.S. marriage laws, certifying that the American citizen is free to contract marriage in France and that the marriage will be recognized in the United States.
• A medical certificate (certificat d'examen médical prénuptial) less than 2 months-old:
• Each party to marriage must obtain a pre-nuptial medical certificate attesting that the individual was examined by a doctor.
• Proof of domicile (justificatifs de domicile): You will need to present 2 proofs of domicile in the city of marriage (i.e.: electricity or telephone bills, rent etc.)

Remember that many documents in English will need to be officially translated into French, and in many cases, your ceremony will be performed in French, so you will need a translator at the ceremony.

For more detailed information on French marriage requirements go to the US Embassy in France website at www.amb-usa.fr

More Information :
Embassy of the French Republic
42 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON. K1M 2C9
Tel: 613-789-1795 Fax: 613-562-3704

Marriage licenses can be obtained from one's current place of residence, prior to coming to Greece, and are generally accepted by the Greek authorities. This only applies, however, if neither the bride nor the groom is a resident of Greece.

Valid American/Canadian Marriage Licenses are accepted in Greece provided that they do not contain restrictive statements. For example, "THIS LICENSE IS VALID FOR COUNTY X" or "MARRIAGE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, CALIFORNIA, ETC."

If one of the parties to be married in Greece is not an American, the American should ascertain that complete information (full name, birth data, names of parents, etc.) is contained in the marriage license to avoid difficulties in its being accepted in Greece.

Applications and/or Documents Required to Obtain a Greek Marriage License: Bring along original copies of the following (and be sure pack these in your hand luggage, never in your checked bags):

• Passport or other travel document
• Certified copy of Birth Certificate
• If previously married, a certified copy of the divorce decree, or a death certificate if married ended due to death of spouse.
• Confirmation that there is no impediment to the marriage. This confirmation is issued in the form of an Affidavit of Marriage signed under oath before a Consular Officer in Athens or Thessaloniki, and must be completed in English and Greek.
• A copy of the newspaper in which the wedding notice was published. Wedding notices should be published in one of the local newspapers in the Greek language (and the names should be phonetically written in Greek and not in Latin Characters) before the application for a marriage license is submitted. In small towns where newspapers are not published, notices are posted by the mayor or president of the community at the City Hall Community Office.
  
  Please Note:
• All civil documents (birth, death, divorce, etc.,) must be endorsed with an official Apostille Stamp that can be obtained from the Secretary of State of the issuing state.
• All documents in English (except passport) must be officially translated into Greek. This may take up to a week, so plan to give yourselves extra time.

Residency Requirements: none, however, the paperwork may take up to several weeks to process. Either a civil or a religious ceremony (or both) may be performed in Greece.

Civil Marriages:

• All documents must be taken in person to the City Hall (Demarchio) or the President of the Community (Proedros Kinotetos).
• The marriage license is issued seven days after the submission of the application and is good for six months.
• The civil ceremony may be performed anywhere in Greece.
• Upon issuance of the marriage license, the concerned persons must jointly submit another application to the Mayor or President of the Community where they will marry. The official then sets the date for the wedding ceremony.
• Two witnesses, provided by the marrying couple, must attend the wedding ceremony, one of whom must serve as an interpreter. Witnesses should have their passports or Greek identification cards with them.

Religious Marriages:

Please note that Greek law does not provide for the religious marriage of a Christina to a non-Christian. All documents must be taken to the priest who will perform the ceremony. The priest will then apply for and obtain the marriage license.

Protestant Church

• Church requirements:
  • Both parties must show evidence of the Christian faith and baptism.
  • The couple must meet with the Pastor for a series of pre-marital counseling sessions, or must have a letter from their Pastor declaring that the counseling has been received.
  • The couple is responsible for making arrangements to have flowers in the church and/or the services of an organist.
  • One of the persons involved must be a Protestant, and neither can be of the Greek Orthodox faith.
  • Two witnesses must be available to attend the wedding ceremony

Roman Catholic Church

• Church requirements:
  • Each party must present the following certificates: baptism (from the church in which it was performed), confirmation, and freedom to marry.
  • Banns need not be posted in the case of non-residents of Greece.
  • Special privilege is required in the case of mixed marriages. The non-Catholic party to the marriage must obtain certificates of birth, baptism, and freedom to marry form his or her church. Divorce is not recognized.

Jewish Faith

• Clerical Requirements:
  • A certificate of freedom to marry, issued by the senior Rabbinate of the area of residence, must be presented.
  • A Jewish marriage ceremony may be performed only if both bride and groom are of the Jewish faith.

Registration of Marriage:

• Marriages of American/Canadian citizens in Greece must be registered at the Vital Statistics Office (Lixiarhio) of the city where performed. This applies to all marriages, whether civil or religious, and must be done within 40 days following the ceremony.
• Marriages can be registered by either spouse, or by a third party who is in possession of a power of attorney signed before a Notary Public.
• Marriages which are not registered have no legal validity.

More Information :
Embassy of the Hellenic Republic
76-80 MacLaren St.
Ottawa, ON. K2P 0K6
Tel: 613-238-6271 Fax: 613-238-5676

Greek National Tourist Organization
91 Scollard Street, 2nd Floor East
Toronto, ON. M5R 1G4
Tel: 416-968-2220 Fax: 416-968-6533

Many of the hotels in Grenada which organize weddings will make all the necessary legal arrangements for you once you have arrived on the island, making the whole process absolutely troublefree.

• Visitors to the island must be resident on the island for a minimum of three (3) workings days (this excludes weekends and public holidays) before applying for a license.
• Application for a Marriage License is then made at the Prime Minister's Office and the necessary stamp duty and license fees have been paid. This process takes approximately two days, but slightly longer if either partner is divorced as a documents have to be sent to The Ministry of Legal Affairs.

The Documents Required:

• Valid passports.
• Birth certificates,
• If one of the parties is divorced, proof of a Decree Absolute,
• Proof of Single Status: an affidavit, or a letter from a clergyman, lawyer or Registry on an official letterhead attesting to the fact that the parties involved have not been married previously.
• If a name has been changed by Deed Poll proof is required.
• If either party has been widowed, then a death certificate is needed.
• If either party is under the age of 21 evidence of parental consent is required in the form of an affidavit.
• All papers must be in English. If the originals are another language, they should be translated into English and certified.
• No blood test are required.

More Information :
Consulate General of Grenada
439 University Ave, Suite 920
Toronto, ON. M5G 1Y8
Tel: 416-595-1343 Fax: 416-595-8278

Grenada Board of Tourism
439 University Ave, Suite 920
Toronto, ON. M5G 1Y8
Tel: 416-595-1339 Fax: 416-595-8278

Applications and/or Documents Required: Bring along original copies of the following (and be sure pack these in your hand luggage, never in your checked bags):

• Passport and/or birth certificate
• If previously married, a certified copy of the final divorce decree, or death certificate if marriage ended due to death of spouse.
• If you are divorced and you have kept your married name, be prepared to show your previous marriage certificate.
• If any of these documents is in a language other than English, a certified translation in English must also be provided.
• Each party is required to complete a marriage notice form. If you are having a religious ceremony, the officiant is required to fill out part of the form as well.

Both parties must submit their completed marriage notice forms, relevant documents, declarations and fees to the Registrar of Marriages in the District where the marriage is to take place, to inform the Registrar of their intention to marry.

Notices should be given to the Registrar about eight weeks before the marriage but if either of you have been married before, the notices should be with the Registrar ten weeks beforehand.

When the Registrar is satisfied there is no legal impediment to the marriage, a marriage schedule will be prepared from the information which the parties have supplied. The schedule is a very important document - no marriage can proceed without it.

Religious Ceremony

The marriage schedule will be issued to either party by the Registrar.

• The schedule cannot be issued more than fourteen days before the marriage and the Registrar will advise you when the marriage schedule can be collected.
• The schedule cannot be collected on your behalf by a relative or friend – the Registrar will issue it only to the prospective bride or bridegroom who will have to sign for it.
• The marriage schedule must be produced before the marriage ceremony to the person performing the marriage.
• Immediately after the ceremony the schedule must be signed by both parties, by the person performing the marriage and by the two witnesses. (The bride should sign in her maiden name). The schedule must be returned to the Registrar so that the marriage can be registered.

Note: The marriage schedule should be returned to the Registrar within 3 days from the date of marriage. It may be returned in person or by post.

Civil Ceremony

The Registrar will ensure that the marriage schedule is available at the marriage ceremony for signature. The Registrar will then register the marriage.
Note: If you do not return the marriage schedule you will be unable to obtain a certified copy of your marriage.

Residency Requirements: none
Blood Test: none

For more information, see the General Register Office of Northern Ireland website at www.groni.gov.uk.

More Information :
United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
80 Elgin St
Ottawa, ON K1P 5K7
Tel: 613-237-1530 Fax: 613-237-7980

British Tourist Authority
5915 Airport Rd. Suite 120
Mississauga ON. L4V 1T1
Tel: 905-405-1720 Fax: 905-405-1835

Getting married in Ireland just got a whole lot easier, thanks to a law that went into effect on Valentine's Day, 2004. Couples may now marry any day of the week, any time of the day, and at any location as long as it is considered dignified. (Formerly civil ceremony vows could only be exchanged on weekdays and only within local registry offices.)

Couples still need to obtain the consent of the solemniser in regard to the time and place of the ceremony. Marriage licenses are available throughout the country.

Residency periods: There's a residency period of 15 days for your to be married in a civil ceremony. However, if you are planning two trips to Ireland (maybe for a site inspection to check out your wedding venue), you can both be in the district where you'll marry for seven days, then depart for at least 21 days but not more than a year, and then return to be married.

Paperwork requirements: If either party has been married previously, you'll need to produce either a divorce decree absolute or a death certificate, as appropriate. (If the divorce decree is not in English, you will need to provide a certified transation of the document.) Once this information is supplied, it is forwarded to the Registrar-General; this office must provide consent before the ceremony can take place. Allow two or three weeks to obtain this consent.

Church ceremonies are another option; these follow the laws of the church and may include posting of banns. To be legally married in a Catholic church, however, you must both be Catholic. There is no residency period for a Catholic wedding.

For More Information: Contact the General Register Office (Oifig an Ard-Chlaraitheora)
Joyce House, 8/11 Lombard Street East, Dublin 2, Tel: (01) 6711000 Ext. 318

More Information:
The Embassy of Ireland
130 Albert St, Suite 1105
Ottawa, ON. K1P 5G4
Tel: 613-233-6281 Fax: 613-233-8865

Irish Tourist Board
120 Eglinton Ave E, Suite 500
Toronto, ON. M4P 1E2
Tel: 416-487-3335 Fax: 416-487-0803

The marriage laws in Italy are the same nationwide. However, you'll find that some cities like Florence waive some wedding regulations because of the high number of destination weddings they perform.

Florence waives the regulation that the couple provide birth certificates IF the marriage is between two US/Canadian citizens.

Americans/Canadians who marry in Italy must arrive with two witnesses at least four days before the ceremony at Florence's Civil Registrar in the Palazzo Vecchio to make a declaration of their intention to marry.

When appearing at the Civil Registrar, you'll need to show the following documents:

• The Nulla Osta: this is a notarized oath which states that there is no reason the couple cannot be married as defined by US/Canada marriage laws. This statement must be notarized by the American/Canadian consul in Italy.
• Valid U.S. passports for the bride and groom
• a notarial fee of $50.00 is charged
• the Consul's signature on this document is then authenticated by the Ufficio Legalizzazione at the Prefettura of any province in Tuscany or Emilia-Romagna, except Parma and Piacenza. This office in Florence is found at Via Giacomini 8 (telephone 055.278.3562), and the office is opened from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday.
• couples also need to purchase a Marca da Bollo or administrative fee stamp for Euro 10.33. This stamp can be purchased in a Tabacchi or tobacco shop; the couple presents the stamp to the clerk at the Ufficio Legalizzazione for each document to be authenticated. Note: a "Nulla Osta" done at the embassy in Rome is not accepted at the Comune in Florence.
• an Atto Notorio, an oath of the American/Canadian citizen sworn to in the presence of two witnesses and notarized by an Italian Consul in the U.S. or Canada. This document is obtained before the trip and states that there is no legal reason the couple cannot be married under US/Canada laws. You can obtain the form at the nearest Italian Consulate.
• Also, a second administrative stamp must be purchased, the "Marche per atti giudiziari."Also purchased in a tobacco shop, this stamp costs €28.92
• Birth certificate (although Florence may waive this requirement) which should show the names of both parents.
• if the bride or groom are under age 18, they must have a sworn statement of consent to the marriage by the parents or legal guardian of an American citizen under 18 [Note: any documents must be translated into Italian.]
• if either of you has been previously married, you must provide legal evidence of divorce, annulment, or certificate of death. [There is a 300 day waiting period after divorce or dissolution of marriage before you can marry again.]
• once all the paperwork's final, banns are posted in the City Hall for two consecutive Sundays before the marriage. [This requirement can be waived if neither of you is Italian and neither is residing in Italy.]

Florence and the surrounding Tuscany region have many beautiful wedding locations. Many couples marry in a civil ceremony at Ponte Vecchio's beautiful "Red Room." Ceremonies here will be performed in Italian so you will need a translator if you do not speak Italian.

Your marriage will be accepted as legal in the US and Canada but, if you'd like to go an extra step, you may have your marriage certificate authenticated with an Apostille. Take your certificate to the the same office that authenticated the Consul's signature in the city where your marriage was performed and ask that an Apostille on the certificate.

More Information:
The Embassy of Italy
275 Slater St, 21st Fl.
Ottawa, ON. K1P 5H9
Tel: 613-232-2401 Fax: 613-233-1484

Italian Government Tourist Board
175 Bloor St. E, Suite 907, S Tower
Toronto, ON. M4W 3R8
Tel: 416-925-4882 Fax: 416-925-4799

Jamaican law makes getting married in paradise simple.

Residency Period: You can marry after just 24 hours on the island if you've applied for your license and supplied all the necessary forms.

Paperwork Requirements: You'll each need to show:

• proof of citizenship (either a passport or a certified copy of the birth certificates signed by a notary public)
• written parental consent for those under 18 years of age
• proof of divorce with the original or certified copy of the divorce decree if applicable
• copy of death certificate if a previous marriage ended in death.

Blood Tests: not required

Obtaining Your Marriage License: Most couples work with their resort's wedding coordinator to handle the paperwork details. You can also make arrangements on your own by calling the Ministry of National Security (Tel. 876.922.0080) in advance of your trip. The cost of a Jamaican marriage license is JA$200 (about US$5); marriage officers charge from US$50-$250 to perform the ceremony.

Italian couples need to notify their embassy and forward a certified copy of their marriage certificate to their embassy to have it legalized and translated. French Canadians need to bring a notarized, translated copy of all documents along with a photocopy of the original French language documents.

Obtaining Your Marriage Certificate After the Wedding : Couples receive a certified copy of the marriage certificate four to eight months after your wedding. For US$50, you can take the Express Option and receive the certificate within four to eight weeks.

More Information :
Jamaica High Commission
275 Slater St, Suite 800
Ottawa, ON. K1P 5H9
Tel: 613-233-9311 Fax: 613-233-0611

Jamaica Tourist Board
303 Eglinton Ave E. Suite 200
Toronto, ON. M4P 1L3
Tel: 416-482-7850 Fax: 416-482-1730

In Mexico, only civil wedding ceremonies are legal; these are officiated by a Justice of the Peace.

For the ceremony, you will both need certified copies of your birth certificates that have been previously legalized by the Consulate of Mexico with jurisdiction over the country of birth.

Couples also must bring passports and tourist cards (passport is now an entry requirement). A blood test is also required.

If either of you have previously been married, you must prove that it has been one year since the official dissolution of your last marriage or since the death of your previous spouse. This will require certified copies of the divorce decree or a certified death certificate.

The couple must also have two witnesses over age 18; witnesses must be over age 18 and need to bring ID as well as copies of the ID. It is also recommended that couples bring two copies of all their documentation.

Also, plan to be in the country five days before your ceremony to take care of translation of documents. Be sure to check with your hotel's wedding coordinator before your wedding as regulations are subject to change.

Each state in Mexico has its own marriage laws so some regulations may vary from state to state.

More Information:
Embassy of Mexico
1500-45 O'Connar St
Ottawa, ON. K1P 1A4
Tel: 613-233-8988 Fax: 613-235-9123

Mexican Government Tourist Office
2 Bloor Street West, Suite 1502
Toronto, ON. M4W 3E2
Tel: 416-925-0704 Fax: 416-925-6061

The law in Monaco states that you or your partner must be a resident of Monaco for at least 30 days prior to the marriage. You may be required to show proof of residency (such as an electric bill, a receipt of rent paid, etc.) when applying for a marriage license.

Because of this law, most people who have their heart set on a wedding in Monaco (but not planning on moving to Monaco) choose to have a vow renewal ceremony instead. The couple may have a small private ceremony before a judge in their hometown, and then travel to Monaco with their wedding party and guests for another ceremony. Most of the time, the bride and groom (and the officiant) are the only people who know that the ceremony is a vow renewal and not the real deal. This way, you can still have your dream wedding in romantic Monaco, but you can also avoid the residency requirements and the extensive amount of paperwork, rules, and regulations.

In some cases, such as if you or your partner is a resident of Monaco, and you wish to obtain a marriage license, here are a few of the requirements for a marriage in Monaco:

• Every wedding must be preceded by publication of banns by mean of an announcement.
• This announcement will be posted on the door of the Town Hall for a period of 10 days, which must include two Sundays.

The following documents must be submitted when applying for a marriage licence:

• Certified Birth Certificates
• If previously married, a certified copy of the final divorce decree, or death certificate if previous marriage ended due to death of spouse.
• Translation of foreign documents submitted, being countersigned by the consuls of the country or countries of which the couple to be married are subjects
• Certificate of publication of the marriage banns For more detailed information, contact the Town Hall of the principality where the wedding will be held.

More Information :
Consular Representatives in Canada
1111 Melville St, Suite 500
Vancouver, BC V6E 4H7
Tel: 604-682-4633 Fax: 604-684-0015

Monaco Government Tourist Office
565 Fifth Ave, 23rd Fl.
New York, NY. 10017
Tel: 212-286-3330 Fax: 212-286-9890

Obtaining a NZ Marriage Licence
Anybody can marry in New Zealand, as long as they are legally free to marry. Under New Zealand law this means that:

• They are not married already (or if they have been married, the marriage has been dissolved by a court of law).
• They are old enough (16 or over, although parental consent is required if either party is under 20 years old).
• They are not closely related by blood, marriage or adoption. Details of these "prohibited" marriages appear on the form "Notice of Intended Marriage", which is used to apply for a marriage licence.

You are not required to provide copies of passports or birth certificates to apply for a NZ Marriage Licence and blood tests and other complicated acts are also not required to marry in NZ. You will need to provide copies of the Decree Absolute or equivalent proof of the dissolution of your marriage if you have been divorced.

NZ law requires that you make a statutory declaration in person stating that there is no lawful impediment to the marriage (ie. no legal reason that you cannot marry), that the details you give are true, that the bride and groom are not within the "prohibited degrees of relationship" and that parental consent has been given (where relevant).

This MUST be done before your wedding either:

• In the presence of a Registrar of Marriages in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch.
• Or in the presence of a Commonwealth representative in your home country. This must be done no earlier than three months prior to the wedding date, as the licence is valid for three months only.

When planning your itinerary, please note that a time on a week day PRIOR to your wedding must be set aside in order to pick up your marriage licence from the government office. Marriage licence offices are only open on weekdays (not public holidays) during normal working hours (9am to 5pm).

The government office closes over Christmas & New Year (generally 23 Dec. - 03 Jan. inclusive), so if you wish to marry during this period you must arrive in Christchurch, Auckland or Wellington on, or prior to, 22 December. Alternatively, you can sign the statutory declaration section of the licence application in the presence of a Commonwealth representative in your home country. This must be done no earlier than three months prior to the wedding date, as the licence is valid for three months only.

Standard NZ Marriage Licence
Once your marriage has been officially registered in Wellington (this takes about 30 days after your wedding) you can then apply for a "Standard NZ Marriage Certificate". This is the legal document that is recognised in most countries.

Authentication of NZ Marriage Documents
Some countries including Germany and Holland require additional authentication (sometimes also referred to as verification or legalisation) of the "Standard NZ Marriage Cerificate" before it can be used as proof of marriage. This is because foreign government officials and agencies are not always able to determine on sight the authenticity of foreign documents. The NZ Department of Internal Affairs (Authentication Unit) carries the primary responsibility for the authentication of documents.

In some cases authentication is still carried out at the Embassy or Consulate of the relevant country, however Apostille Certification through Internal Affairs in NZ is now available for use in countries that have signed the Hague Convention. The convention simplifies the use of public documents outside the country in which they are used by abolishing the requirement of authentication. Under the convention, the authorities of the state where the document originates attach a certificate in the prescribed form to the document. This certificate is referred to as an apostille. In New Zealand, the apostille will be attached to the document by the Department of Internal Affairs and the document will not require further authentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the diplomatic and consular mission where the document is to be presented. The convention only abolishes the requirement of legalisation between states which are a party to it.

More Information:
New Zealand Tourism Board
501 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 300
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Tel: 866-639-9325 Fax: 310-395-5453

If you are planning on getting married in Portugal, there are several legal hoops to jump through. The key to success, as always, is good research and preparation.

Documents - The following documents may be required:

• Passports
• Birth certificates - long form including names of parents
• Evidence of termination of all previous marriages – previous marriage certificates, final divorce decrees (including certificate of finality of divorce), annulment decrees or death certificates
• Baptismal certificates (for Roman Catholic religious ceremonies only)
• Certificates of no impediment (Certificado de Capacidade Matrimonial) or letter of explanation from consular officials in Portugal

Certificates of No Impediment - Generally available from consular offices in Portugal and registry offices in home countries. These certificates are not available in some countries including the U.S. In such cases, Portuguese authorities normally accept letters of explanation from the embassy and a consular certificate from these citizens.

All civil documents should be originals, endorsed with an Apostille Stamp, issued in the last six months (three months for the Azores).

All documents issued in a foreign language must be accompanied by official Portuguese translations authenticated by a Portuguese notary public.

Residency Requirement

At least one party must be in Portugal for a minimum of thirty days before notice of the marriage can be given. Marriage applications are generally processed in about four weeks. The marriage must occur within 90 days of the approval of the application.

Ceremonies

Civil and religious marriages are both legally recognized in Portugal. Civil marriages in Lisbon are performed and registered at one of the eleven Civil Registries (Conservatorias do Registo Civil). You must use the Civil Registry with jurisdiction over your residence.

More Information:
Embassy of Portuguese Republic
645 Island Park Dr.
Ottawa, ON. K1Y 0B8
Tel: 613-729-0883 Fax: 613-729-4236

Portuguese Trade and Tourism Commission
60 Bloor St. W, Suite 1005
Toronto ON. M4W 3B8
Tel: 416-921-7376 Fax: 426-921-1353

With Puerto Rico's exotic ambiance and spectacular sunsets, there's no better place to be swept up in the romance of a wedding. Here's what couples planning to marry in Puerto Rico need to know, before they can tie the knot on the island:

Each person will need to bring a photo ID or passport .

If either party has been divorced or widowed , a divorce decree or death certificate is also required

Each party will need to take a blood test from a federally certified laboratory (in the U.S./Canada or Puerto Rico) within 10 days of the wedding date.

A marriage certificate can be acquired in advance from the Puerto Rico Department of Health; Call (787) 767-9120 for more information. A doctor will need to sign and certify your marriage certificate and blood test in Puerto Rico.

The couple will then visit the Demographic Registry to obtain the marriage license, and purchase two license stamps (total stamp cost is $30)

Couples can expect to receive their marriage license within ten days of their wedding date

More Information:
Puerto Rico Tourism Company
230 Richmond St W, Suite 902
Toronto ON. M5V 1V6
Tel: 416-368-2680 Fax: 416-368-5350

Applications and/or Documents Required: Bring along original copies of the following (and be sure pack these in your hand luggage, never in your checked bags):

• Photo ID such as Drivers License or passport
• Certified Birth certificates
• If previously married, a certified copy of the final divorce decree, or death certificate if marriage ended due to death of spouse.
• Certified proof that there is no impediment to the proposed marriage, issued by a competent authority of the country of residence (usually the civil authority) if either party is not from the UK. This certificate is not necessary if the party has been resident in the UK for two years.
• Certified translation of the any documents in a language other than English.
• Along with these required documents, both parties must submit a marriage notice to the registrar for the district in which the marriage is to take place. These marriage notice forms are available from any local registrar in Scotland or from the General Register Office for Scotland in Edinburgh. They must be submitted a minimum of fifteen days and a maximum of three months before the ceremony, however four weeks is the recommended time period.

The Registrar will check all documentation to be satisfied that the parties are free to marry and then will prepare the marriage schedule.

In the case of a civil ceremony the Registrar retains the schedule until the date of the wedding.

If a religious marriage is intended, the schedule is issued to the parties, no more than seven days before the wedding

The Registrar then retains or must have the schedule returned to them within 3 days so that they can register the marriage.

Residency Requirements: none

More Information :
United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
80 Elgin St
Ottawa, ON K1P 5K7
Tel: 613-237-1530 Fax: 613-237-7980

British Tourist Authority
5915 Airport Rd. Suite 120
Mississauga ON. L4V 1T1
Tel: 905-405-1720 Fax: 905-405-1835

Be sure to plan ahead if you are getting married in Spain. Approval of a marriage application often takes as long as 45 days. Policies and procedures will vary from region to region, so you should consult with regional authorities as early as possible.

You may choose to have a civil or a religious ceremony (or both). If you decide to have both ceremonies, the civil ceremony must be performed before the religious marriage takes place.

Civil Marriages

Applications and/or Documents Required: Bring along original copies of the following (and be sure pack these in your hand luggage, never in your checked bags):

• Application Form: This form can be obtained from the Civil Registry or District Court. It should be signed by both bride and groom and include their full names, occupations, places of residence, and the citizenship of the couple and their parents.
• Birth Certificate: The original document is mandatory. If you were not born in Spain, you should submit the document with an "apostille," an official international seal verifying a document for use outside its country of origin. (If you live outside of Spain, you should also have a Spanish translation of the certificate made and authenticated by the Spanish Consulate or Embassy nearest your place of residence. If you are in Spain, the certificate must be translated into Spanish by an official translator.)
• Proof Both Parties Are Free to Marry: (Fe de Solteria y Vida) Civil Registries have a document for this purpose that can be signed when presenting the rest of the documents.
• If previously married, you must submit p roof that the marriage has ended. Certified documents which originated outside Spain must be accompanied by an apostille and Spanish translations.
• Certificate of Residence: Legal residents of Spain can obtain a certificate of residence at no charge from the Tenencia de Alcaldía in their district of residence. (First confirm that you are registered with the Censo). Foreigners who are temporary residents of Spain or have lived here less than two years may complete an affidavit regarding their place of residence before a consular officer.
• Posting of Banns: After the judge has accepted all the documentation required, banns are posted for a period of fifteen days prior to the marriage ceremony. Banns are a public announcement that a couple plans to marry, giving any knowledgeable citizen (such as another wife) an opportunity to object.

After you have assembled these documents and the ceremony is performed, the marriage is then recorded in the Civil Registry and a Spanish marriage certificate is issued.

Religious Marriages

Couples will need to first obtain authorization from the Civil Authorities by presenting the documents listed under "Civil Marriages".

Spanish law recognizes Catholic, Protestant, Islamic and Jewish marriages as valid in Spain without the need of a second civil marriage. Regulations may vary depending on the religious denomination. For Catholic marriages, the arrangements generally take from one to three weeks. The following documents must be presented to the priest performing the ceremony:

• Birth certificate: Spanish translation is required.
• Baptismal certificate: This must be issued within the six month period prior to your wedding, and authenticated by the issuing Bishop. A Spanish translation must be attached.
• Proof Both Parties Are Free to Marry (Fe de Solteria y Vida).
• After a religious ceremony, you have one week to present the church-issued certificate to the nearest civil registry. The marriage is NOT recognized in Spain if you fail to register.

More Info:
Consulate of Spain
Simcoe Pl, 200 Front St W, Suite 2401, PO Box 15
Toronto, ONM5V 3K2
Tel: 416-977-1661 Fax: 416-593-4949

Tourist Office of Spain
2 Bloor St W, Suite 3402
Toronto ON. M4W 3E2
Tel: 416-961-3131 Fax: 416-961-1992

Paperwork Requirements: Couples getting married on St. Lucia will need to bring documentation:

• passports
• original birth certificates
• original proof of decree if one of the parties is divorced
• original death certificate in case of a widow or widower
• original proof if there has been a name change by deed
• consent of parents in form of an original affidavit by a notary public if either party is under 18 years of age

All papers must be in English. The couple should allow about five days on island to process the documents before the ceremony; the process includes an application to marry made through a local lawyer. You will need to travel to the attorney's office in person.

Cost: US $276

Waiting Period: 10 days to register at Office of Civil Registry; waiting period is 3 days.

Scheduling Your Wedding : Weddings in St. Lucia are only valid if they take place between sunrise and sunset.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
St. Lucia Tourist Board
8 King St E, Suite 700
Toronto ON. M5C 1B5
Tel: 416-362-4242 Fax: 416-362-7832

Sint Maarten (Dutch side of the island)

St. Maarten is perfect for renewing vows and getting married for a first or second time. St. Maarten is one of the few Caribbean destinations where couples can be married without a waiting period.

Procedures for Persons Marrying in St. Maarten
All Marriages must be performed on Dutch Side of Island

Requests must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the scheduled ceremony to be conducted by the Registrar.

The following notarized original documents must be submitted to the Registrar with your request:

1. A full abridged (long) birth certificate of the bride & groom to prove the legality of the same. These can be obtained by contacting The Registrar General's Office in Canada at 1-800-461-2156. Make sure to specify on your application you need a LONG birth certificate. Once you receive your Abridged (long) birth certificate, proceed to have said documents stamped and authenticated by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Dutch Embassy and the Netherlands Consulate. Documents authenticated by Royal Netherlands Embassy - Ottawa, 613-237-5031 and by the Netherlands Consulate (Toronto, Montreal & Vancouver) – 1-877-388-2443
2. Unmarried persons must present a declaration of marital status not older than 3 months signed by a Notary.
3. Persons must be 18 years of age.
4. Address of both parties.
5. Names of parents and maiden name of mother.
6. Date and Place of birth of parents.
7. Professions of bride and groom and of parents.
8. Six witnesses if the marriage is performed outside of the Marriage Hall and two witnesses if the ceremony takes place in the Marriage Hall. Non-Dutch witnesses must present a valid passport or a birth certificate with a picture I.D.
9. If widow(er), a death certificate.
10. If divorced, a divorce certificate or final judgments decree; with same stamp procedure are point #1 ( Dutch Embassy or Netherlands Consulate).
11. For minors, permission of the parents is required.
12. In the event persons are not of Dutch nationality, a valid passport is required.

Original documents other than Dutch or English need to be translated into the Dutch language (i.e. a French or Spanish document must be translated into Dutch, not English).

The cost for contracting foreign marriages is approximately US$375 and includes civil ceremony, marriage book, stamps and certificate. Marriages will be performed after the Civil Registrar finds all documents correct.

INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR WEDDING COORDINATOR FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE REQUIREMENTS.

Questions can be directed to the Chief Registrar on St. Maarten.

Phone: 011-599-542-3913 / Fax: 011-599-542-4267

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Sint Maarten Tourist Office
2810 Matheson Blvd. E. Mississauga, ON L4W 4X7
Tel: (416) 622-4300 ext 13009 Fax: (416) 236-0439
email: stmaarten@melainecommunications.com

Applications and/or Documents Required: Bring along original copies of the following (and be sure pack these in your hand luggage, never in your checked bags):

• Photo ID such as Drivers License or passport
• Notarized affidavit, mentioning the current address and marital status (single, divorced or widowed).
• Birth Certificate (certified copy) showing the names of the parents (this certificate may be issued at most six months before the planned marriage)
• If previously married, be prepared to show a certified copy of the final divorce decree, or death certificate if marriage ended due to death of spouse.

You will also need to obtain the following documents from a Swiss embassy or consulate in Canada or U.S.:

• An Application for Marriage Preparation
• A Declaration Concerning the Requirements for Entering into Marriage

Please Note: If the bride decides not to take the last name of the husband when the couple gets married, she would have to sign a surname declaration (the form can be obtained from the responsible representation).

Residency Requirements: none

Waiting Period: none, however, it may take some time to obtain and prepare the necessary paperwork, so be sure to plan ahead.

Blood Test: not required

More information :
Embassy of Switzerland
5 Marlborough Ave
Ottawa, ON K1N 8E6
Tel: 613-235-1837 Fax: 613-563-1394

Switzerland Tourism
926 The East Mall
Toronto (Etobicoke), ON M9B 6K1
Tel: 416-695-2605 Fax: 416-695-2774

A traditional Tahitian wedding ceremony for many is a dream come true. There is not a more romantic way to exchange or renew personal vows.

You may choose from several locations with in the islands (Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, etc.) and ceremonies range from simple to lavish.

*Weddings are not legal ceremonies. Couples intending to marry legally can do so before arriving in Tahiti, then exchange promises in one of the traditional ceremonies.

More Information:
Tahiti Tourisme North America
300 Continental Blvd., Suite 160
El Sugundo, CA 90245
Tel: 310-414-8490

Marriage in Thailand is relatively quick and straightforward. Once you complete the required paperwork, the ceremony can be performed at a local district office known as an amphur or khet . After the legal ceremony has taken place, you can have a more romantic ceremony in a luxurious setting anywhere in Thailand.

Applications and/or Documents Required: Bring along original copies of the following (and be sure pack these in your hand luggage, never in your checked bags):

• Passport
• A Letter of Certification, issued by an Embassy or Consulate or a Government Organization from your home country, stating that you are free to marry. The Letter must be translated and certified by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• If previously married, a certified copy of the final divorce decree, or death certificate if marriage ended due to death of spouse.

Residency Requirements: none

Waiting Period: none, however, you should allow plenty of time to process the paperwork. A law office can help acquire the official documents from the embassy and have them translated and legalized quickly with minimum problems.

More information:
Embassy of Thailand
180 Island Park Dr.
Ottawa, ON K1Y 0A2
Tel: 613-722-4444 Fax: 613-722-6624

Getting married in the Turks and Caicos is a simple affair.

Paperwork Requirements: You'll need original documents including a passport or certified birth certificate, an original or notarized divorce decree if applicable, notarized consent by parent or guardian if under age of 21. If you have had a name change, you will need a proof of Deed Poll or adoption. You'll also need a letter stating your occupations, fathers' names, your ages, marital status, and address. Documents must be in English or translated into English and notarized.

Residency Requirement: You'll need to be on island for 48 hours before you can make the application for a marriage license; this must be done at the Registrar's office on the island of Grand Turk or the hotel wedding coordinator can assist. Two or three days after this application is made, you can get married.

More Information:
Turks & Caicos Tourist Board
(29620 Hwy 62 North) RR#2
Bancroft ON. K0L 1C0

Tel: 613-332-6472
Fax: 613-332-6473
Toll Free: 1-866-413-8875
Email: rwilson@northcom.net
www.turksandcaicostourism.com

[ Hawaii ] [ Las Vegas ] [ Florida ]

Marriage License in Honolulu, Hawaii

To get your Marriage License, the two of you should go to:

Hawaii Department of Health
1250 Punchbowl St.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
(808) 586-4545
On weekends, contact a Health Dept. Agent for an appointment.
Call Sherilynn at (808) 523-1880, or Fusako at (808) 455-1186.

On KAUAI - 808-241-3498

On MAUI:
Cynthia (808) 875-8459 (Kihei)
Sherri Lynn (808) 661-7257 (Lahaina)
Florence (808) 661-0887 (Lahaina)
Ilene (808) 572-8833 (Makawao)

You can see the Dept. of Health online at: www.hawaii.gov/doh/records/vr_marri.html

Marriage License Application (PDF): CLICK HERE

The Hawaii Dept. of Health is open from 8:00am to 4:00pm.

Bring your IDs with you, and the $60.00 fee. Cash only.

After you receive your Marriage License, bring it with you to the Wedding Ceremony. The Minister will sign it after your Ceremony. Then he will send your completed Marriage License back to the Dept. of Health for processing.

In a few days, you may go back to the Dept. of Health and pay them $10.00 for a copy of your official Marriage Certificate. (Or you can wait patiently for the original to arrive.)

More Information :
Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau
1260 Hornby St, Suite 104
Vancouver, BC. V6Z1W2
Tel: 604-669-6265 Fax: 604-669-6075

Marriage License in Las Vegas

Applications and/or Documents Required: Bring along original copies of the following (and be sure pack these in your hand luggage, never in your checked bags):

• photo id (driver's license, valid passport, valid military ID, resident alien card, certified birth certificate. Foreign birth certificates must be translated if not in English)
• Social Security numbers
• if applicable, date of divorce and city where divorced

Residency Requirements: none. Waiting Period: none Blood Test: Not required

More Information:
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
3150 Paradise Rd.
Las Vegas NV 89109-9096
Tel: 702-892-0711 Fax: 702-892-2906

Marriage License in Florida

Applications and/or Documents Required: Bring along original copies of the following (and be sure pack these in your hand luggage, never in your checked bags):

• valid driver's license or birth certificate
• Social Security card
• certified copy of divorce decree, if divorced within the last month. All divorcees must provide date of divorce. In case of death, must provide date of death of previous spouse.

Residency Requirements: none

Waiting Period: none for nonresidents. If you live in Florida, you may have the waiting period waived (and receive a discount on the license, by taking a state premarital class.) If you don't take the class, there's a waiting period of three days for Florida residents. No blood test is required.

More Information:
Visit Florida
512 Duplex Avenue
Toronto ON. M4R 2E3
Tel: 416-485-2573 Fax: 416-485-8256

Getting married on these islands is very simple. There is no residency period so the US Virgin Islands are very popular with cruise ship passengers who are on the island for the day.

Paperwork Requirements: The first step is to request an application for a marriage license from the US Virgin Islands Territorial Courts (340.774.6680 ext. 6434, fax 340.777.8254). This application will need to be notarized then you'll send it to the islands; there is an eight-day waiting period after the receipt of this document before you can get married but you don't need to be in the islands during that time.

Cost: The fee for the marriage application is $50.

You'll also need to indicate whether you're going to be married by a judge in the court or if your ceremony will be performed by a member of the clergy. Appointments are necessary for civil ceremonies; the fee is $200.

Obtaining Your Marriage License: Before the wedding, you'll pick up the marriage license at the Territorial Court office in Charlotte Amalie on the island of St. Thomas. The court is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and is closed on holidays (including the many local USVI holidays.) Saturday pick-up at 10 a.m. can be arranged by special request. The application must be sent to the court at least eight days in advance, but allow more time for processing.

More Information:
U.S. Virgin Islands Dept. of Tourism
2810 Matheson Blvd. East, Suite 200
Mississauga, ON L4W 4X7
Tel: 416-622-7600 Fax: 416-236-0439