Legal Requirements for weddings Abroad
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
UK residents wishing to marry in the Dominican Republic can have either a Civil Ceremony or a Religious Ceremony. Intent to marry must be registered with the Oficialia del Estado Civil (City Clerk.)
Documentation;
- An original full birth certificate must be provided.
- A Consular Registration Certificate
- Two separate Certificates of No-Impediment (this can be obtained from the Superintendent Registrar. The document should not be issued more than 3 months before the wedding date). Bare in mind it takes approximately 1 month to issue the certificate.
- Decree Absolute (the final divorce paper, if applicable)
- Death Certificate (if you are a widow or widower)
- Change of Name Deed (required if you have changed your name)
- Adoption certificate (if applicable)
- If either of you are under 18 years of age you will need to be granted permission from the court in order to marry
The documents above have to be certified (legalised) by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Legalisation Department.
Once the documents have been legalised they have to be translated into the local language (spanish). (see fees below)
Documents required for a religious ceremony also have to be translated into Greek, authenticated and the Official Translators signature legalised.
All documents upon translation and legalisation have to be sent forward to either the Registry Office, or the priest four weeks before your wedding day.
Allow enough time to organise your documents especially if they have to be sent by post.
Allow time for your marriage Banns to be posted in your local church or Town Hall prior to your wedding day.
Photocopies of the documents can be sent out in advance and originals can be presented on your arrival in the Dominican Republic.
Residency Requirements:
At least one person must be resident for a minimum of two days prior to the ceremony.
Marriage Licenses: TBA
Blood Test: None
Civil Ceremony:
Civil Ceremonies are conducted by a Justice of the Peace who must then supply the Oficialia del Estado Civil with the appropriate documentation after the wedding ceremony, in order for you to be issued with your Marriage Certificate.
Religious Wedding Ceremony:
Religious Ceremonies are legally recognised provided all the appropriate documentation is in order. If the marriage is to be in a Roman Catholic Church consent will need will need to be obtained from the local parish priest in the UK and permission must be obtained from the local priest where the marriage in the Dominican Republic is to take place.
The couple may have to meet the parish priest who is to perform the ceremony and they may be asked to attend pre-nuptial consultations. Whichever religious ceremony is required the couple must send a copy of the marriage documentation to the Oficialia del Estado Civil within three days of the marriage, so that it can be registered.
Special Rules:
Divorced women are not eligible to marry again until ten months after their divorce has been finalised unless the marriage is to the same person.
Other Ceremonies:N/A
Fees and Charges: tba
Catholic Wedding Ceremony: see above
Legality: see above
Flowers: Fresh flowers cannot be flown in from abroad due to customs regulations. Silk or artificial flowers are permitted.
Foreign Pesters, Priests, Vicars, JP's: Only officials registered in the Cyprus can perform the ceremony.
Related Links: