| Author |
Message |
missbazilb (missbazilb)
Newcomer
Username: missbazilb
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 - 06:07 pm: | 
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Hi! My boyfriend and I are going on a cruise that will allow a day excursion in Antigua, and we intend to get married while there. I've checked the various websites that give instructions on how to get married in Antigua, which are basically, "go to the courthouse, buy a license, arrange service with wedding registrar". The problem is that we have a limited time period to get this done, and I can't find any information on the wedding registrar. Is this also in the courthouse? Can we basically get the license, take a few steps down the hall and get married? At this point, I don't even know what city the cruise ship docks in, but I'm assuming it's St. Johns.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! |
mun (mun)
Antigua Specialist
Username: mun
Post Number: 291
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 - 07:59 pm: |
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This information is taken from the antiguanice website
Antigua Wedding and Marriage Services
- Useful Contact Numbers
Marriage Registrar,
Registrar's Division,
High Street,
St John's.
Tel: (268) 462-3744
Copies of your Marriage Certificate are available at a cost of $EC25.
If you are overseas and need a marriage licence - you will need to call the office directly and they will give you instructions for how to apply. You will need to provide the Groom's name, the Bride's maiden name, place of marriage (Hotel etc), and date of marriage.
Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs,
Nevis Street,
St John's
Tel: (268) 562-0381/462-0017 for the Marriage Co-ordinator - she organises submission of all relevant paperwork and issues marriage licenses.
Getting Married in Antigua
If you are considering a wedding or renewing your vows in paradise, here are a few handy facts about legal requirements for getting a marriage license here in Antigua.
Special License:
Valid passport, or birth certificate and valid ID picture: e.g. driver’s license or state issued ID (UK / European residents, beware, the latter refers to US citizens; lose your passport and you can not marry!)
Proof of Status: Single – a declaration is signed within Antigua and Barbuda - Divorced – Original Decree Absolute which includes the seal of the court where the Decree is issued – Widow / Widower – Marriage Certificate and Death Certificate of husband / wife
Application form is filled out and signed at the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs in St. John’s
All applicants must be over the age of 18 years old. If under, then written parental consent must be obtained
There is NO waiting time in the country in order to obtain a Special License
The petition for a Special License shall be accompanied by a fee of
US$ 150.00
Both party must be present at the time of the application
Ordinary License:
Valid test passport, or birth certificate and valid ID picture: e.g driver’s license or state issued ID (UK / European residents, beware, the latter refers to U.S citizens; lose your passport and you can not marry!)
Proof of Status – Single – a declaration is signed within Antigua and Barbuda or letter stating status by some person well known in the community - Divorced – Original Decree Absolute which includes the seal of the court where the Decree is issued or certified copy of Decree which includes the seal of the court where the Decree is issued – Widow / Widower – Marriage Certificate and Death Certificate of husband / wife
Application form is filled out and signed at the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs in St. John’s
All applicants must be over the age of 18 years old. If under, then written parental consent must be obtained
One of the parties must be resident in Antigua and Barbuda for a period of 15 days immediately preceding the date of the application for a license
The petition for an Ordinary License shall be accompanied by a fee of EC$ 100.00
Both parties must be present at the time of application
Ceremony:
The wedding is performed by the Registrar, Deputy Registrar, Assistant Registrar or any of the marriage Officers
The day selected for the ceremony depends upon the parties
There is a registration fee of EC$ 100.00 to be paid at the Registrar’s Office
If the wedding ceremony is to be performed outside of the Courthouse, please note that there is a marriage officer fee of EC$ 135.00 or US$ 50.00
Ceremonies can be performed between the hours of 6:00 am and 8:00 PM
Every marriage must be solemnized or celebrated in the presence of two or more credible witnesses
Hope this helps |
Kim (anchor)
Newcomer
Username: anchor
Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 - 05:20 am: |
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I think that you will find that the marriage co-ordinator now has an office at the Queen Elizabeth Buildings (for at least two years). Not sure whether you can get married if only on the island for a day. Friends of mine came over and it took a day to sort out the paper work etc. If it is the same lady in 'office' she was very good and extremely efficient. |
Mrs W (melt)
Antigua Visitor
Username: melt
Post Number: 60
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 - 11:54 am: |
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Hi Miss Baz
The costs for the licence etc is:
EC$405 - to be paid at legal affairs
EC$100 - to be paid at the Courthouse
EC$135 - to be paid to the Marriage Officer if you have it anywhere else except the legal affairs office.
I dont think that you will be able to turn up and get married all in one day unless you call ahead. There are 2 forms you need to complete - one for legal affairs (yellow) and one for the court (white). Mun has posted the number above for legal affairs - they should be able to send the forms to you and advise whether it would be possible for you to do it all in a day. Antigua does not require you to be a resident in the country for a certain amount of days - if they can do it - you will have to register in the morning and marry in the afternoon.
drop me a line and I can recommend a few good marriage officers to marry you (if they are available) - I hope it works out for you - Antigua is a lovely place to marry.
one side thought - have you thought about enquirying about the Captain of the ship marrying you? Dont know the ins and outs of it but heard it has been done.
melinantigua@hotmail.com
good luck - Mrs W x |
Donna (donna)
Antigua Frequent Traveller
Username: donna
Post Number: 214
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 - 07:38 pm: |
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Hi Mizbazilb
I think unless you like living on the edge I would make alternative plans for your wedding. Antigua is lovely to visit but I don't think you can expect to get all your papers and the wedding to run as planned within a few short hours.
Can't you get married on board in the AM and then spend "day one" of your new life together on this tiny island, which by the way I'm sure you'll come back to for your anniversary next year.
Regardless I wish you luck and congratulations
Donna
www.dancinginthediningroom.com |
Mrs W (melt)
Antigua Visitor
Username: melt
Post Number: 61
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, November 30, 2006 - 06:02 am: |
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Yep - i'd agree with you Donna |
Tracy G (tracy_g)
Antigua Visitor
Username: tracy_g
Post Number: 55
Registered: 05-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, November 30, 2006 - 10:19 pm: |
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I've just got home from a dinner hosted by the Min of Tourism as part of their Wedding & Honeymoon Fam Trip for travel agents & media from the UK. The Marriage/Wedding Officer was there & I asked her about this & the answer is yes you definitely can get married 'in a day'.
You need to go to the Office of Legal Affairs which is located on Queen Elizabeth Highway (next to the Min of Tourism) present your passport, together with your original divorce/widow(er) (if applicable) they will then process your application and you will be able to marry before the ship leaves the island - usually well before. If you haven't choosen a location for the wedding, they will happily recommend a selection of different places for you to choose from.
Things are changing here in Antigua, albeit slowly but surely. |
missbazilb (missbazilb)
Newcomer
Username: missbazilb
Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Friday, December 01, 2006 - 04:26 pm: |
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Thank you for all your help! I'll call the numbers provided and get as much arranged in advance as I can.
The only thing that may put a spanner in this is if the ship can't dock or is late due to weather.
I just really hate organizing things, which is why we're doing it this way in the first place. I wish I could make someone else do all the work |
Alison (sly)
Newcomer
Username: sly
Post Number: 6
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 06, 2006 - 02:38 pm: |
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Hi ,
Well this is good as it has finally prompted me to get back on the site. Kim thansk for pointing out the error on the address we had listed. We try but we do miss things from time to time. I jsut called the registrar to check through the other details we have listed and I'm please I did as there are two further pieces of info missbazilb - A. There is an overseas telephone number of 1-268-462-3929 and B The fee payable for ceremonies outside of the courthouse has gone up to $US100 as of YESTERDAY so hot off the press. No apparent reasoning why.
And a definite yes was given again on you being able ot do it all in a day - have a great one,
Alison |
gabs81 (gabriellemoore)
Newcomer
Username: gabriellemoore
Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Friday, December 08, 2006 - 01:06 am: |
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I'm not so sure that you can get married in a day. I'm getting married next week in Antigua & we were told that there was a minimum 2 day residency requirment. Some islands have even longer residency requirments while others have none. |
missbazilb (missbazilb)
Newcomer
Username: missbazilb
Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 - 02:45 pm: |
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The phone numbers provided don't seem to work very well. The marriage registrar one just rings and rings, no answer, no voice mail. The Ministry of Justice number doesn't work outside the country, and the overseas number provided by Alison is a fax number.
Do you have any suggestions? |
Donna (donna)
Antigua Frequent Traveller
Username: donna
Post Number: 248
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 - 04:05 pm: |
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Hi again,
This is part of the problem in relying on a foreign country for something so important in your life. Island life is not the same as what you are used to and this situation is typical. I really wouldn't trust the system for your special day. I suggested getting married on your ship and then spending a relaxing day touring this special little island.
Good luck
Donna |
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