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All Inclusive Caribbean Wedding Requirements:

All Inclusive Caribbean Wedding Requirements

This simple basic list covers the general all inclusive wedding requirements. The documents listed below will vary depending on your marital status and whether you’ve had a legal name change for any reason.

So first, arrange the wedding before you arrive and then arrive 1 to 5 days prior to your ceremony depending on the destination.

Documents Required:

  • Notarized Copies of Birth Certificates
  • Notarized Letters stating single status
  • Completed Wedding Information Forms
  • Certified Divorce Decrees (all pages)
  • Certified copies of Name Changes or Adoption Papers
  • Former Spouse’s Death Certificate and Marriage License
  • Legal translations into Spanish (Mexico & Punta Cana)

Your marriage will be legal and binding worldwide if you do the legal or civil ceremony. Expect to receive you official license 6 to 12 weeks after you return home.

The all inclusive wedding resorts that we use will guide you through all the necessary paperwork and procedures. Keep in mind that the costs and waiting periods below are the requirements and costs set by each island if you were doing everything yourself. The cost charged by the resort will usually vary slightly and in some cases the resort will absorb the cost, i.e. when you stay 6 nights or longer in a concierge room category or higher at Sandals Grande Antigua. Requirements listed below assume you are both citizens of the USA and both are at least 21, and all your documents are in English.

All Inclusive Wedding Requirements by Destination

ANTIGUA WEDDINGS

  • Cost: US $240 total
  • Waiting Period: 1 day.

ARUBA WEDDINGS

  • Waiting Period: 2 full business days
  • Requirements: All documents to be submitted at least one month prior to wedding date. Legal ceremonies are required to be performed at the Civil Town House and documents require apostilles*. Most resorts also will follow that up with a reenactment on the beach or your choice of location at the resort. You can also do a symbolic ceremony in Aruba and get officially married at home before you leave. This is very common to avoid extra expenses and extra leg work on documentation. Please note that rates you might see for resorts offering wedding packages in Aruba may or may not include the trip to the Civil Town House if you plan to have a legal ceremony. I.E. Riu Palace Aruba requires you pay approximately $495 to to arrange the civil ceremony transportation, etc.

BAHAMAS WEDDINGS

  • Cost: $100 for license.
  • Waiting Period: 1 day.

BARBADOS WEDDINGS

  • Cost: US $50 and US $12.50 in Barbados Postage Stamps
  • Waiting Period: None.

CANCUN WEDDINGS

  • Cost: Varies
  • Waiting Period: 3 full business days
  • Extra Requirements: All documents must be translated into Spanish and require apostilles*. Blood tests must also be administered in Mexico. You can also do a symbolic ceremony in Cancun and get officially married at home before you leave. This is very common to avoid extra expenses, blood tests and extra leg work on documentation.

CURACAO WEDDINGS

  • Cost: US $167.
  • Waiting Period: 3 days residency
  • Extra Requirements: Written registration 2 months prior to wedding date, proof both parties are eligible for marriage. 

GRENADA WEDDINGS

  • Cost: US $15.
  • Waiting Period: 5 days; 2 - 3 working days to process application.
  • Extra Requirements: proof of single status (letter from lawyer stating individual have the legal right to get married)

JAMAICA WEDDINGS

  • Cost: US $80.
  • Waiting Period: 24 hours

PUNTA CANA WEDDINGS

  • Cost: Varies
  • Waiting Period: 3 full business days
  • Extra Requirements: All documents must be translated into Spanish and require apostilles*. You can also do a symbolic ceremony in Punta Cana and get officially married at home before you leave. This is very common to avoid extra expenses and extra leg work on documentation.

ST. LUCIA WEDDINGS

  • Cost: Approximately US $400
  • Waiting Period: 2 days residency; 2 days for license.

ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES WEDDINGS

  • Cost: US $185.00 for marriage license, US $8 in stamps.
  • Waiting Period: 1 day before acquiring marriage license.
  • Extra Requirements:  Application must be made in person at the Ministry of Legal Affairs in St Vincent

TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS WEDDINGS

  • Cost: US $50.
  • Waiting Period: 24 hours to establish residency, plus 2-3 days to process license.
  • Extra Requirements: the marriage must be solemnized by a registrar or Marriage Officer (usually the Registrar General for Special Licenses) who is entitled to payment of reasonable traveling expenses if the marriage takes place outside his usual place of business

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS WEDDINGS

  • Cost: US $50, US $200 fee to be married in the court by a judge. Payment to be made by money order or cashier’s check.
  • Waiting Period: 8 days from receipt of notarized application - couple need not be on-island

The above information is subject to change at any time. This page was last updated on June 15th, 2010. You’ll notice the documentation requirements are much easier on the English speaking islands like Jamaica and St Lucia. The Spanish (Cancun & Punta Cana) and Dutch (Aruba) destinations will require a little extra paperwork and have a few more requirements. Symbolic ceremonies have become extremely popular in these destinations.

*Apostille is a French word which means a certification. This very much like get something notarized. Just contact your state’s Office of Secretary of State for the proper procedure in your state.