For example, Mexico is a popular wedding destination because many of the resorts there have lots of experience hosting weddings for non-citizens. Puerto Rico, France, and Italy are also popular wedding destinations for non-citizens, but all have varying legal requirements.
Some countries only allow citizens to have civil ceremonies. If that’s the case, you can have a religious ceremony, or a non-legally binding commitment ceremony and then get married legally when you return home.
Some travel agencies have wedding planners associated with the agency who can help you with the wedding details. If you’re getting married at a resort, the resort itself might have a wedding planner. That wedding planner will usually help you make the arrangements with the necessary officials and with the resort, and also act as a coordinator the day of your wedding. If you can’t afford a destination planner, it helps to work with a planner from the country where you’re getting married.
For example, if you’re a United States citizen getting married in Paris, you’ll want to contact the American Embassy or Consulate in Paris for assistance.
For example, you can get married the day you arrive in South Africa, but you and your partner must live in France for 30 days for your marriage to be considered valid.
Some countries require only a passport to get in, but a visa on top of that to marry. Make sure you know if both a passport or visa are required in the country where you’re getting married.
The Consulate or Embassy in the country where you’re marrying can tell you exactly what you need. Some paperwork can’t be obtained until you’re in the country where you’re getting married. For example, Italy requires that you bring certain documentation with you and then apply for two to three licenses once you arrive in Italy.
Make sure that you hire a licensed legal translator. They can be more expensive, but you want to make sure your documents are properly translated so that your marriage is legally valid.
Most resorts that host a lot of weddings will have a specific doctor they work with, or the ability to do the blood work on site.
If you’re getting married at a resort, ask the wedding planner on site to finalize the details for you.
For example, you may need to submit your wedding certificate with an Apostille - an authentication stamp to formally recognize legal documents created in one country as legally binding in another. Depending on your home country, you may need to contact your state department.
You can walk into the nearest church or courthouse and ask how you have an unofficial wedding in the country you’re in.
