The beauty of the caribbean has always made it a popular wedding destination, and since the wedding legalities are fairly simple in many of the countries its popularity as a wedding location just keeps on growing.
Whether you choose to marry at an all-inclusive resort, or make the arrangements independently, there are so many gorgeous locations available that it is difficult to choose simple one!
Jamaica and St Lucia are often mentioned in top 10 wedding destination lists, however most of the caribbean countries offer white sands, clear seas and typical tropical island landscapes, so even if you are on a tight budget there's bound to be an island that suits you.
Please note all information below is a generalisation only as documentation varies depending on your country of residence.
Documents to get married in Caribbean
Required documents for all countries:
- Full birth certificates showing both parents' names
- Passports
- If divorced, show your original final divorce papers
- If widowed, show the death certificate of your former spouse
- If you have changed your name then show legal proof of the change
- (Bride and groom must not be related by blood, marriage or adoption)
Some countries also require these documents:
Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage
This can be obtained from your local department of foreign affairs or your embassy in the country in which you are getting married.
Apostille Stamp
Some countries require foreign legal documents to be stamped with an apostille which then makes them legal documents in that country.
Certificate of Single Status/Sword Affidavit that you are free to marry
These are similar to a Certificate of No Impediment, but instead you have to swear you are single in front of a legal representative.
Western Caribbean & Bermuda
Bermuda
You will need: notice of intended marriage, all required documents above. Residency requirement: none.
Bahamas
You will need: declaration that you are free to marry, Bahamas immigration card, all required documents above. Residency requirement: 1 day.
Turks & Caicos
You will need: affidavit of single status, letter stating your occupations, ages, marital status, addresses and fathers' full names, all required documents above. Residency requirement: 3 days, marriage licence then takes 2-3 days to process.
Cuba
You will need: Cuban tourist card, list your full names, occupations, level of education, nationalities, full names of both your parents, photocopy of passport picture page, all required documents above, if widowed your previous marriage certificate. All documents should be translated into Spanish and authenticated by the Cuban consulate in your home country. Residency requirement: none.
Cayman Islands
You will need: letter from the Marriage Officer who will perform your ceremony, immigration card, all required documents above. Residency requirement: none.
Jamaica
You will need: all required documents above. Residency requirement: none.
Dominican Republic
You will need: affidavit statin that you are single, all required documents anove. All documents must be translated into Spanish by an official translator at the Dominican Republic consulate in your home country. Residency requirement: none.
Leeward Islands
British Virgin Islands
You will need: proof of arrival in BVI, buy a stamp for a special wedding licence at the Attorney General's office, all required documents above. Residency requirement:3 days .
US Virgin Islands
You will need: all required documents above, certified copy of any previous divorce. Your marriage licence application form must be at the counrthouse at least 8 days before you can marry. Residency requirement: none.
Antigua & Barbuda
You will need: certificates of single status, all required documents above. Residency requirement: none.
St Kitts & Nevis
You will need: certificate of single status, all required documents above. Residency requirement: none.
Windward Islands & South Caribbean
St Lucia
You will need: all required documents above. Residency requirement: none for a special licence, 2 days for a normal wedding licence.
St Vincent & the Grenadines
You will need: all required documents above except birth certificates. Residency requirement: 1 day.
Grenada
You will need: affidavit that you are free to marry, all required documents above. Residency requirement: 3 days, the licence then takes 2 days to process.
Barbados
You will need: return airline tickets, all required documents above, if widowed then your previous marriage certificate. Residency requirement: none.
Trinidad & Tobago
You will need: return airline tickets, immigration cards, all required documents above. Residency requirement: 3 working days, then the licence takes up to a week to issue.
