Jamaica Weddings
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Jamaica Weddings
Marrying in Jamaica is similar to getting married on several other of the island nations in the Caribbean. You will not need to have a blood test, and there are no residency requirements. As long as you apply for the marriage license ahead of time, you can be married just after 24 hours of arriving in Jamaica. So there is a very short waiting period of sorts.
Traditions
Wedding Styles
Why Jamaica?
Marriage License Requirements
In order to apply for a marriage license in Jamaica you will need to call the Ministry of National Security in Jamaica at 1-876-906-4908 or visit their offices when you arrive at The Ministry of National Security, Mutual Life Building, 2 Oxford Road, Kingston 5. If you are sure that you will want to be married as soon as possible once you reach the island then it behooves you to call the Ministry of National Security at least a few days before you leave.
You will need to provide several pieces of documentation in order to marry in Jamaica. These documents are as follows.
Proof of your citizenship. This means a cerfied copy of your birth certificate that has your father's name on it. If you are under the age of 18, you must have your parent's written consent to marry before you can get married in Jamaica. If you are divorced then you will need to provide the original or a certified copy of the divorce decree in order to prove you are legally single and can marry again. If you are widowed you will need to provide a certified or original copy of your spouse's death certificate, again to prove you are legally single and can marry again. If one of you is an Italian national then you must notify the Italian embassy and provide them with a certified copy of your marriage certificate so that it can be legalized and translated. If one of you is French Canadian you will need to have a notarized, and translated copy of all documents, and a photocopy of your French documents as well. The cost of a marriage license in Jamaica is four thousand Jamaican dollars or about $80 American. Another thing that is very nice about getting married in Jamaica is that they have non-denominational Marriage Officers to officiate over weddings in Jamaica. They can even provide witnesses for you if you do not have any of your own, or not enough people to witness your wedding. They can marry you in their office, in their home, or a location of your preference whichever works best for you. Costs for the marriage ceremony by one of these non-denominational marriage officers varies from marriage officer to marriage officer but the cost can range from $50-$250. Upon completion of your wedding ceremony the marriage officer who officiated your wedding will provide you with a copy of your marriage certificate, thus eliminating the need for a later pick-up or a wait to have it sent to you once you return home.
Civil Ceremonies
Religious Ceremonies
Language
Currency
How to Get There
Insider Tips
Planning
In Jamaica some hotels will make wedding arrangements for you for a price. These packages often include the price of performing your wedding ceremony, transportation costs, tax, any other expenses incurred and possibly special requests such as a wedding cake for example. Be sure and ask ahead of time what packages they have and what is included so you don't get caught thinking they provided something and then find out they don't.
Another interesting tidbit about Jamaica and one which could affect your wedding plans is that in Jamaica under the law all weddings must be performed before 6:00 pm. No explanation is given, but if you had your sights set on a wedding ceremony at dusk for example this could present a problem for you.
Ceremony
Religious Sites
Civil Sites
Beaches Parks Monuments Historic Sites