Are Jamaican marriages legal in the U.S.A.?

Are Jamaican marriages legal in the U.S.A.? The answer is YES!

Every country has a marriage act which governs the institution of marriage which is legal and binding across all nations. But this is so providing the parties are in possession of a signed, witnessed and registered marriage title which is applied for through the country in which the marriage took place, and bears the seal of the country.

Jamaica is no exception. The marriages performed here are legal and binding in the United States and other nations across the globe.

Be sure to read more on marriages in Jamaica here.

But whether you are a resident of Jamaicam or a visitor from another country wishing to get married in Jamaica, there are certain procedures that should be undertaken before the vows can be taken.

Persons coming to the island to get married should be in the country one day before the wedding to facilitate the necessary paper work.

For marriages to be legal here in Jamaica, both parties must sit with the marriage officer, presenting him or her with the following documents before the marriage takes place:

• Both parties’ birth certificates which must include the father’s name or information substantiating same
  
• Photo identifications
  
• Parental Consent if bride is under 18 years
  
• Occupations of bride and groom
  
• If either party was married before, certified final divorce papers or death certificate of deceased spouse
  
• The relevant fees.
  

Following the marriage, the bride and groom signs the marriage license along with the witnesses and it is handed over to the bride.

This license will enable the couple to apply for their marriage certificate from the Registrar General’s Office.

If you are living anywhere in the world and is desirous of getting married in Jamaica, one option is to make contact with a registry in Jamaica (the RGD) to go through, and even, conduct the process for you. Note however that you must be in the island at least a day before the nuptials as the relevant documents can be had from a walk-in visit to the relevant agencies.

If you prefer to have someone conduct all the legwork for you, I suggest you review my recommendation at the bottom of this page.

Regards,
Devin Saunds-Dunkley, Associate Writer