Marriage in Aruba

Civil marriages are now possible in Aruba, but they must take place at the Civil Town House. Couples may also arrange a religious blessing after they have been legally married or just hold a romantic celebration beachside if they prefer. The following are the guidelines for the various ceremonies.

CIVIL Legal Requirements:

• All Civil/Legal Ceremonies must take place in the Civil Town House
• Documents include:

• Copies of birth certificate for bride and groom with apostille (state certification).
• Passport picture page or valid state issued picture I.D. for Bride & Groom.
• Witness (18 years up) passport picture page or valid state issued picture I.D. (minimum 2 witnesses) Witnesses can be provided locally if bride and groom are traveling alone at $50 each by a weddingplanner.
• Certificate of no impediment for bride and groom (also referred to as a "single status report" and in some states called a "negative statement of marriage"). This certificate of no impediment is obtained at the bureau of vital statistics which is located in the department of health.
• If either party has been divorced we need to receive a copy of the 1st and last page of the divorce decree(s).
• If either party is a widow(er) we need to receive a copy of the pertaining death certificate.

Ceremony can take place in the late morning or early afternoon on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays. Saturdays are also available in the late mornings at an additional $150 surcharge. All documents are to be faxed for review and then submitted by courier (i.e. FedEx) at least one (1) month prior to desired wedding date. Please contact a wedding planner or your host hotel wedding coordinator.

CATHOLIC:

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

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

PROTESTANT / EPISCOPALIAN / METHODIST:

• Wedding Ceremony can be affiliated in the local Protestant / Episcopalian or Methodist Churches or anywhere else the couple desires.
• If Married outside Aruba, copy of marriage certificate from their home country.
• Proper attire is required for all "religious blessings"( ie: No swimsuits nor wraps for the Bride: Shorts are acceptable for the Groom.

JEWISH:

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