GETTING MARRIED IN BARBADOS
Weddings in
Barbados
Requirements
needed when applying for a marriage licence. You are not required to reside in
Barbados
prior to the application
for the licence. In fact, it is possible
for a couple to arrive in
Barbados
,
apply for their marriage licence and get married all in the same day!
Documentation
The general
requirements are as follows:-
Additional
requirements for marriage in the Roman Catholic Church only are outlined
later on this page.
1.
Valid passports, and the original or certified copies
of the applicants' Birth Certificates.
2.
If either party was married previously and widowed, a
certified copy of the marriage certificate and death Certificate in respect of
the deceased spouse will be required.
3.
If either party was divorced, an original Decree
Absolute or a certified copy of the Final Judgement is required, NOT the Decree
Nisi. If the Decree Absolute is in a language other than English, it must be accompanied
by a certified translation.
4.
A letter, or written indication, from the Marriage
officer, including the church to which he belongs, who has agreed to perform
the marriage ceremony.
Where to apply?
Application for a marriage licence must be made by the
bride and groom in person at the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs, 5th
Floor,
General
Post
Office
Building
,
Cheapside,
Bridgetown
,
St. Michael between the hours of
8:30
a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Monday to Friday. You can also contact the Ministry of Home Affairs at
Tel: 246-228-8950, Fax: 246-437-3794.
A Marriage may be solemnized immediately after the
issue of the licence.
Fees
(Approximate rate of exchange is CND$1=BDS$1.50)
If neither the bride nor groom is a citizen or
resident of
Barbados
,
the licence fee is BDS$150 cash and a $25 stamp to the Ministry of Home Affairs. A further fee
of BDS$250 cash must be paid at the Court if a Magistrate is performing the
ceremony. If the ceremony is performed by the Magistrate outside the Courts,
the cost is BDS$350 cash. If either is a citizen of
Barbados
, the fee is BDS$45 cash
and a $10 stamp. If a Minister of Religion is performing the ceremony, a fee is
privately arranged.
Requirements to get married in the
Roman Catholic Church
1.
The Pre Marital
Enquiry must be completed and signed by the bride and groom.
2.
Baptismal Certificates issued within the past six
months indicating that both are free to marry.
3.
A signed statement of Freedom to Marry by the Parish
Priest(s) of the couple.
4.
A Certificate of Participation in a programme of
preparation for marriage.
5.
In the case of a mixed marriage, permission to marry
or dispensation from Disparity of Cult issued by the Bishop of your diocese.
6.
In the event that a previous marriage was contracted,
a Death Certificate or a Declaration of Nullity is required.
7.
Testimonial Letters from the Bishop of your diocese.
8.
A Record of Confirmation.
All of these
documents must be sent by the Bishop of your diocese to the Bishop of
Bridgetown.
Prior arrangements
Arrangements should be made with a marriage officer (a
Magistrate or a Minister of religion authorized to be a Marriage Officer) prior
to the completion of an application form for the licence. A letter from the Marriage Officer who has
consented to perform the marriage ceremony should be presented at the time of
filing the application.
Any Questions
For further
information on getting married in
Barbados
, Contact your travel agent
or contact us
Looking for a villa to hold your dream
wedding party?
Villas
ideal for your dream wedding! We can help you select the perfect private home
to host your special day. Our Villas can accommodate weddings of almost any
size, big or small. Below you will find some of our villas which are suitable
for wedding parties. Note: Some conditions do apply.
