You really want to have a destination wedding in an unforgettable place you’ve been to as a couple. Yes, that’s gonna be so romantic! But have you ever wondered if you can get legally married at your destination wedding? Wonder no more and just read on because we’re giving you a list of legal requirements for your wedding in a faraway land. The requirements are not the same in all countries. But at least you get a hint of what it takes to be lawfully wedded at your dream destination wedding!
Proof of Identity
You need a passport and birth certificate, which, your consular official should authenticate. Some countries like Mexico, Columbia, The Dominican Republic, and Thailand even require you to have your birth certificate translated into their language.
Parental Consent
If you’re marrying young, parental consent is important to note. Most countries require parental consent if you’re below 18 years old, and in some countries, it’s 19.
Residency
Some countries require you to live there for a certain period before your wedding. This can range from zero to two years or even more. In some countries, you can have your wedding right away upon arriving there. Some require 24 hours or a couple of days. But if you’re both non-citizens, it can almost be impossible to legally marry in a different country. This is true if they need at least one of you to be a legal resident there for a couple of years.
Free to Marry
All countries will ask for proof that you are single and eligible to marry. Examples of these documents are Certificate of Non-Marital Status, Certificate of No Marriage, Single Status Letter, Divorce Decree, etc. If you don’t have such a document in your country, you can execute an affidavit stating that you are free to marry.
Translation of Documents
Aside from the birth certificate, some countries require that an official translator translate other documents too. These can include Certificate of Non-Marital Status, prenuptial agreements, baptism & confirmation certificates if you’re marrying in a Catholic Church.
Additional Requirements
Some countries also ask for other things such as proof of residency (Utility bill, Valid I.D with an address. etc.), Tourist Cards, Prenuptial Medical Certificates (with blood tests), etc.
If you’re previously married, some require your previous marriage certificate, divorce decree (for divorcees), birth certificate of your previous spouse, and death certificate (for widows).
Again, the rules are not the same in all countries. To get legally married at your destination wedding, the first thing we suggest you do is to check out your destination’s tourism information for a list of requirements. Or you can also ask your embassy in that country. It will also be so much easier if you work with a wedding planner who has some experience working at the destination wedding of your choice.
