Getting Married

See also "The Best Romantic Hotels & Resorts," for information on specific resorts that offer wedding and honeymoon packages. Club Med (tel. 888/932-2582; www.clubmed.com), Sandals (tel. 888/726-3257; www.sandals.com), and SuperClubs (tel. 877/467-8737; www.superclubs.com) are three chains that have married many couples.

If you yearn to take the plunge in the Caribbean, you need to know the requirements on the different islands.

Anguilla -- Couples need to file a license application on Anguilla, which takes approximately 48 hours to process. You'll need to present a passport, and, if applicable, proof of divorce or the death certificate of a deceased spouse. The fee for the license US$244 and stamp duty is US$270. For further information, contact the Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, Judicial Department, The Valley, Anguilla, B.W.I. (tel. 264/497-2377).

Antigua & Barbuda -- There's a 24-hour waiting period for marriages on Antigua. The registration fee of $40 must be paid at the Courthouse located in the new government buildings on Queen Elizabeth Highway. A couple appears at the Ministry of Justice in the capital of St. John to complete and sign a declaration before a marriage coordinator and pays a $150 license fee. The coordinator will arrange for a marriage officer to perform a civil ceremony at any of Antigua's hotels or another place the couple selects. The fee for the marriage officer is $50. Several hotels and resorts offer wedding/honeymoon packages. For more information on civil or religious wedding ceremonies, contact the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism, 305 E. 47th St., Suite 6A, New York, NY 10017 (tel. 888/268-4227 or 212/541-4117; www.antigua-barbuda.org).

Aruba -- In 2004 it became possible for civil marriages by nonresidents to take place in Aruba. A number of requirements are called for, however, including birth certificates with a raised seal, photo ID, and proof that one is indeed both single and eligible to marry. It's best to review requirements with the Office of Civil Registry, Schoolstraat 2 in Oranjestad (tel. 297/583-4400).

Barbados -- Couples can now marry the same day they arrive on Barbados, but they must first obtain a marriage license from the Ministry of Home Affairs (tel. 246/228-8950). Bring either a passport or a birth certificate and photo ID, US$100 (BD$200) cash, and US$28 (BD$55) for the revenue stamp which you can obtain at the local post office, a letter from the authorized officiant who will perform the service, plus proof, if applicable, of pertinent deaths or divorces from any former spouse(s). A Roman Catholic wedding on Barbados has additional requirements. For more information, contact the Barbados Tourism Authority, 800 Second Ave., New York, NY 10017 (tel. 800/221-9831 in the U.S., or 212/986-6516; www.barbados.org).

Bonaire -- The bride and/or groom must have a temporary residency permit, obtained by writing a letter to the governor of the Island Territory of Bonaire, Kaya Grandi na 2, Kralendijk, Bonaire, N.A. (tel. 599/717-8322). The letter, submitted at least 4 weeks in advance of departure for Bonaire, should request permission to marry on Bonaire and to apply for temporary residency. You'll also need to inform the governor of your arrival and departure dates and the date you wish to marry. The partner who applies for residency must be on the island for 7 days before the wedding. A special dispensation must be issued by the governor if there is less than a 10-day time period between the announcement of the marriage and the ceremony. In addition, send two passport photos, copies of the bride's and groom's passports, birth certificates, and, if applicable, proof of divorce or the death certificate of a deceased spouse.

If you desire, you can arrange your wedding on Bonaire through Multro Travel and Tours, Muller Light House Beach Resort no. 22 (P.O. Box 237), Bonaire, N.A. (tel. 599/717-8334; fax 599/717-8834; www.bonaireweddings.com), or check with the hotel where you're planning to stay. Some hotels arrange weddings on special request. For further information, contact the Bonaire Government Tourist Office, 80 Broad St., Suite 3202, New York, NY 10020 (tel. 800/266-2473 or 212/956-5912; www.infobonaire.com).

The British Virgin Islands -- Island residency is not required, but a couple must apply for a marriage license at the attorney general's office and must stay in the B.V.I. for 3 days while the application is processed. Present a passport or original birth certificate and photo identification, plus certified proof of your marital status and, if applicable, proof of divorce or the death certificate of a deceased spouse. Two witnesses must be present. The fee is $35 if the ceremony is in office or $100 for a ceremony performed elsewhere. Marriages can be performed by the local registrar or by the officiant of your choice. You are also required to buy $110 worth of stamps if you are in the territory less than 15 days or $50 if you are in the B.V.I. more than 15 days. Contact the Registrar's Office, P.O. Box 418, Road Town, Tortola, B.V.I. (tel. 617/475-2646 in the U.S. or 284/494-2930 in BVI; www.britishvirginislands.com).

The Cayman Islands -- Visitors have to call ahead and arrange for an authorized person to marry them. The name of the "marriage officer," as it is called, has to appear on the application for a marriage license. The application for a marriage license costs $200 and can be obtained from the Deputy Chief Secretary's Office, 3rd Floor, Government Administration Building, George Town (tel. 345/244-2222). There is no waiting period. Present a birth certificate, the embarkation/disembarkation cards issued by the island's immigration authorities, and, if applicable, divorce decrees or proof of a spouse's death. Complete wedding services and packages are offered by Cayman Weddings of Grand Cayman, which is owned and operated by Caymanian marriage officers Vernon and Francine Jackson. For more information, contact them at P.O. Box 678, Grand Cayman (tel. 345/949-8677; fax 345/949-8237; www.caymanweddings.com.ky). A brochure, Getting Married in the Cayman Islands, is available from Government Information Services, Broadcasting House, Grand Cayman (tel. 345/949-8092; fax 345/949-5936).

Curaçao -- Couples must be on island 3 days before applying for a marriage license, for which there is a 14-day waiting period. Passport, birth certificate, return ticket, and, if applicable, proof of divorce or the death certificate of a deceased spouse are required. The $225 fee is subject to change, so check in advance. For further information, call the Curaçao Tourist Board, 5810 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33137 (tel. 800/287-2226 or 305/285-0511; fax 305/285-0535; www.ctb.an).

Jamaica -- In high season, some Jamaican resorts witness several weddings a day. Many of the larger resorts have wedding coordinators on staff who can arrange for an officiant, a photographer, and even the wedding cake and champagne. Some resorts even throw in your wedding with the cost of your honeymoon at the hotel. Both the Jamaican Tourist Board and your hotel will assist you with the paperwork. Participants must reside on Jamaica for 24 hours before the ceremony. Bring birth certificates and affidavits saying you've never been married before. If you've been divorced or widowed, bring copies of your divorce papers or a copy of the deceased spouse's death certificate. The license and stamp duty cost US$75-US$80. Or you can apply in person at the Ministry of National Security, 12 Ocean Blvd., Kingston, Jamaica (tel. 876/906-4908).

Puerto Rico -- There are no residency requirements for getting married in Puerto Rico. For U.S. citizens, blood tests are required, although a test conducted on the U.S. mainland within 10 days of the ceremony will suffice. A doctor in Puerto Rico must sign the license after conducting an examination of the bride and groom. For complete details, contact the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Health Department, Demographic Registry, P.O. Box 11854, Fernandez, Juncos Station, San Juan, PR 00910 (tel. 787/728-7980).

St. Lucia -- Both parties must be on the island for 4 days before the ceremony. Present your passport or birth certificate, plus, if applicable, proof of divorce or the death certificate of a deceased spouse. It usually takes about 2 days before the ceremony to process all the paperwork. Fees run around EC$303 (US$112) for a lawyer (one is usually needed for the application to the governor-general), EC$135 (US$50) for the registrar to perform the ceremony, and EC$130 (US$480) for the stamp duty, notary, certificates, and the license. Some resorts also offer wedding packages that include all the necessary arrangements for a single fee. For more information, contact the St. Lucia Tourist Board, 800 Second Ave., Suite 910, New York, NY 10017 (tel. 800/456-3984 or 212/867-2950; fax 212/867-2795; www.stlucia.org).

Turks & Caicos -- You need the usual documents here, including passport, original birth certificate, proof of status (if single, a sworn affidavit), and a divorce decree, plus a $50 license fee. You must be on island for 24 hours to establish residency. For more details, contact the Registrars of Marriages on Front Street at tel. 649/926-2800 in Provo.

The U.S. Virgin Islands -- No blood tests or physical examinations are necessary, but there is a $50 notarized application and a $50 license fee, and an 8-day waiting period, which is sometimes waived depending on circumstances. Civil ceremonies before a judge of the territorial court cost $250 each; religious ceremonies performed by clergy are equally valid. Fees and schedules for church weddings must be negotiated directly with the officiant. More information is available from the U.S. Virgin Islands Division of Tourism, 1270 Ave. of the Americas, New York, NY 10020 (tel. 800/372-8784 or 212/332-2222; www.usvitourism.vi).

The U.S. Virgin Islands tourism offices distribute the guide Getting Married in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which gives information on all three islands, including wedding planners, places of worship, florists, and limousine services. The guide also provides a listing of island accommodations that offer in-house wedding services.

Couples can apply for a marriage license for St. Thomas or St. John by contacting the Territorial Court of the Virgin Islands, P.O. Box 70, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. 00804 (tel. 340/774-6680). You can apply for weddings on St. Croix by contacting the Territorial Court of the Virgin Islands, Family Division, P.O. Box 929, Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S.V.I. 00821 (tel. 340/778-9750).