It is quite easy to satisfy the requirements of a wedding in Jamaica. So easy, in fact, that it simply takes one day to obtain your marriage license and have your wedding in Jamaica, provided the application has been made in advance.
Acquiring a license for a wedding in Jamaica requires that the couple present certified copies of their birth certificates with the names of their parents or a copy of the adoption papers (if any member was adopted) that reflects a name change, in addition if any of the parties was previously married, notarized A copy or original divorce certificate or death certificate of the deceased spouse must be presented. Legal translations of documents into English are also needed when the originals are in another language. An easy step to complete in the Jamaican marriage requirements process.
Qualifying for a Jamaican wedding does not require a blood test, allowing you to have your wonderful Jamaican wedding just 24 hours after arriving. For information on obtaining a Jamaican marriage license, contact
The Ministry of Justice
Mutual Life Building North Tower and NCB Towers
2 Oxford Street
kingston 5
Phone: (876)906-2414 – 7
You can visit their websites at: moj.gov.jm
Marriage officers are available throughout the island and information can be requested through:
Registrars General Department
twickenham park
Saint Catherine
Telephone: (876) 984 3041 5
Fax:(876) 749 6457
You can visit their websites at: rgd.gov.jm
Each Marriage Officer may have different costs and requirements; however, the process remains basically the same. Be sure to discuss all the details with your marriage officer. You will be required to submit copies of all documents. This should be sent by courier to the Marriage Officer, although more expensive it is more reliable and definitely faster than regular mail. The Marriage Officer will fill out the required forms and arrange all the documents. They can also arrange for the wedding ceremony to take place at a church or location of your choosing. Marriages can be celebrated every day of the week.
Please do not forget to bring the ORIGINAL documents with you. This is very important, or else all arrangements for compliance with the Wedding Requirements for Jamaica it would be nothing! After the wedding ceremony, you will be given a copy of the Marriage Registry showing proof of marriage. This is signed by the Marriage Officer, you and your witnesses. (Don’t worry, you don’t have to bring your own!) The marriage record is NOT a legal document and cannot be used to conduct any business! It’s more like a receipt to say you got married. You must obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
The Marriage Certificate can be requested by the Marriage Officer and takes between 7 working days and 1 month to be processed by the General Registration Department in Jamaica (address above). You can also order it yourself and there is also an express service available. You can also apply online at the Registrars General Department website. Ask your wedding officer or hotel wedding coordinator, who can help and advise you.
If the language spoken in your country is not English, your documents must be legalized by your Embassy, which represents your government in Jamaica. That is, after the Government of Jamaica issues the original Marriage Certificate for your marriage in Jamaica, the certified copy is sent to the Marriage Officer, who sends it with his address to his Embassy. Only after being legitimized by your Embassy, the marriage process in Jamaica takes place and your marriage is established as a legal union in your home country.
While these are the requirements for marriage in Jamaica, you don’t need to do all of this yourself. You can enlist the help of a wedding planner, either privately hired or provided by your hotel.