It's good to know the marriage requirements of your destination of choice before choosing whether to have a legal or symbolic (non-legal) ceremony. Here are a few requirements from our most popular destination wedding locations.
LEGAL CEREMONIES:
MEXICO
The following requirements are for legal marriages only. The Wedding Coordinator must receive the following documents to begin the application for marriage in the Civil Registry Office.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The following is a list of the documentation required by Dominican Law in order to be legally married in the Dominican Republic.
All documents must be translated and legalized by the Dominican Consulate prior to arriving in the Dominican Republic, except for the Passports. The documents should be legalized by the Dominican Consulate no more than 3 months prior to the wedding date. It is the couple's responsibility to have all the documentation ready prior to the wedding.
SYMBOLIC (NON-LEGAL) CEREMONIES:
LEGAL CEREMONIES:
MEXICO
The following requirements are for legal marriages only. The Wedding Coordinator must receive the following documents to begin the application for marriage in the Civil Registry Office.
- Bride, Groom & Witnesses must arrive 3 business days prior to the wedding day (Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays do not count). Symbolic and non-legal ceremonies allow flexibility for arrival date.
- Valid passports. If the Bride is divorced and kept her married name on her passport, please contact your Wedding Coordinator for more information.
- Tourist Card (Received upon arrival at the airport)
- The names, addresses, nationalities, ages, occupation, relationship, copy of a tourist card and a valid identification of the four witnesses. The Wedding Coordinator will fill out the legal form. The witnesses can be relatives, friends or anyone who has a valid passport.
- $300 USD + taxes (per couple) fee for blood test must be taken in Mexico. To be considered valid, the test should not be taken more than 14 days prior to the ceremony. The blood will be tested for HIV, STD’s (sexually transmitted diseases) and blood type. The results will be ready in 24 hours together with a certificate of the blood test. Your Wedding Coordinator will make those arrangements for you, usually early morning the day after arrival.
- Judge’s transportation fee. Round trip from the city is $80 USD + taxes.
- $500 usd + taxes for the city hall court fees and application process.
- 4 Witnesses with valid passport & tourist card. The names, addresses, nationalities, ages, occupation, relationship, copy of a tourist card and a valid passport of the 4 witnesses. Wedding Coordinator will send you the legal form. The witnesses can be relatives, friends or anyone with a valid passport. If you don´t provide witnesses we can provide them at $25 USD + taxes each.
- The Marriage Certificate is only valid in Mexico. To make the Marriage Certificate legal internationally, the Wedding Coordinator will send a copy of your License to the Validation Process. The fee will be $165 USD + taxes. The process will take 2-3 months. Once the document is apostilled, the resort will send all documentation to couples home address. Documents will be in Spanish but can be translated for an additional $100 USD + taxes (shipping fee is included).
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The following is a list of the documentation required by Dominican Law in order to be legally married in the Dominican Republic.
- Birth Certificate of Bride and Groom or certified copy of Birth certificate. If parents' names are not shown on the certificates, please indicate them separately.
- Notarized Declaration of Single status for the Bride and Groom. If previously married, submit two copies of the Divorce Decree or Death Certificate. There is a mandatory waiting period for women, 10 months before they are legally allowed to remarry.
- A photocopy of Bride and Groom's Passport.
- Photocopies of all Witnesses Passports. Cannot be family members. If necessary, resort will provide witnesses.
- Bride and Groom must be in the country 3 business days prior to the wedding. Symbolic and non-legal ceremonies allow flexibility for arrival date. Please speak with the wedding coordinator to discuss requirements.
- The Judge is an outside service provided by the Dominican Government. We cannot be held responsible for any delay or alteration.
- The Judge will duly register your Wedding Certificate at the Central Civil Board and legalize it with the Foreign Affairs Department of the Dominican Republic. We will then send the Wedding Certificate to the couple via mail which may take up to 15 weeks.
- The Civil Wedding is celebrated in Spanish. Your marriage certificate will be sent to you in Spanish, you will then need to have it translated and legalized into English.
All documents must be translated and legalized by the Dominican Consulate prior to arriving in the Dominican Republic, except for the Passports. The documents should be legalized by the Dominican Consulate no more than 3 months prior to the wedding date. It is the couple's responsibility to have all the documentation ready prior to the wedding.
SYMBOLIC (NON-LEGAL) CEREMONIES:
- There’s no need for blood tests in a foreign country.
- You don’t have to translate and pay for any paperwork.
- There’s no waiting period to get your legal marriage certificate.
- It’s less complicated.
- It’s cheaper.
- Did we mention that it’s cheaper?
- 80% of our brides and grooms choose a Symbolic ceremony. It's super easy and costs less! Get married at your Justice of the Peace/Courthouse before you leave (we recommend 1-2 months prior to your departure date) and bring your marriage certificate with! That's it!
