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Weddings in Aruba

Legal Requirements

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You can now get married in Aruba - Couples can have both their wedding ceremony and honeymoon in paradise. If you are at least 18 years old, you can say, "I do" on "One Happy Island" upon submitting standard documentation at least 14 days prior to the date of the ceremony. Documents must be submitted to the Office of the Civil Registry on the island via mail or in person. Certain restrictions may apply.

Civil marriages must take place at the Civic Town House in Oranjestad. Couples may also arrange a religious blessing after they have been legally married or may have a romantic celebration beachside if they prefer.

The following are the guidelines for the various ceremonies.

CIVIL Legal Requirements:

  • 1. Couple must provide from their Country of Citizenship an "apostile" report (a statistics search from the Bureau of Vital Statistics) as proof that they are both indeed single and eligible to marry.
  • 2. Each person must submit copies of their official government issued birth certificate with a raised seal.
  • 3. If either party has been divorced they must submit a copy of their divorce decree.
  • 4. If either party has been widowed, they must submit a copy of the spouse's death certficate.
  • 5. Couple must be holders of valid passports and submit with their application, copies of the pages showing all relevant details.
  • 6. Copies of the passport pages of their witnesses must also be submitted (if couple does not have any witnesses, they will be provided at an additional fee).
  • 7. All civil ceremonies must take place inside the City Hall (Bureau Burgerlijke Stand) in Oranjestad.
  • 8. Ceremonies are performed Wednesdays through Saturdays.
  • 9. Times are from 10AM-11:30AM and 2PM- 6PM.
  • 10. All documents are to be faxed for review and then submitted by courier (i.e. FedEx or UPS) at least one (1) month prior to desired wedding date to the following address:

Office of Civil Registry
Attn: Mr. Betto Christiaans
Schoolstraat 2
Oranjestad, Aruba
Tel: 011-297-5834400
Fax: 011-297-5839160
E-mail: pivaruba@setarnet.aw

CATHOLIC:

(Please call first as this is on hold until review of procedures is complete):

  • 1. Proof that the prospective bride and groom have attended pre-marriage preparation.
  • 2. Permission from their home priest to get married in Aruba.
  • 3. An official declaration stating that neither party has been previously married in a Church is also required from their local priest.
  • 4. Copy of Wedding Certificate showing that they have been legally married in their home country.
  • 5. Baptismal and Confirmation certificates of both parties as well as copies of their passports or I.D. Cards.
  • 6. The proposed wedding must take place inside the Church building.
  • 7. All documents must be submitted 4 months prior to chosen wedding date.

PROTESTANT / EPISCOPALIAN / METHODIST:

  • 1. Wedding ceremony can be affiliated in the local Protestant / Episcopalian or Methodist Churches or anywhere else the couple desires.
  • 2. If married outside Aruba, copy of marriage certificate from their home country.
  • 3. Proper attire is required for all religious blessings ( ie: No Swimsuits or Wraps for the Bride: Shorts are acceptable for the Groom.

JEWISH:

  • 1. Both partners MUST be Jewish and need to submit a verification of Judaism from the Rabbi of their hometown.
  • 2. The Aruban Cantor accepts Jewish status certificates from valid Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Liberal and Re-Constructionist Authorities.
  • 3. A formal petition needs to be submitted to the Aruba Jewish Community.
  • 4. The wedding ceremony may take place either in the synagogue or any other venue of choice.
  • 5. The synagogue of Aruba is an independent Conservative-Reform style congregation.

AT SEA:

  • A boat captain is not authorized to officiate a wedding according to Dutch laws. This applies for international waters as well as in port. The only exception to this rule is if he has been given authority by the country under whose flag the ship is registered.



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