Regulations for weddings in Aruba
Civil weddings became legal for non-Aruban Residents as of January of 2002.
For those who want to have a legal wedding in Aruba, please submit the
following documents by fax to us at least 4 weeks prior to your planned
wedding date.
- Long form birth certificate with pertaining apostil for bride and groom
- Negative statement of marriage for bride and groom OR notarized affidavit
stating that the person in question is single and eligible to be wed
- Copy of passport picture page OR copy of a valid, state issued photo I.D. for
bride and groom.
- Letter of intent for bride and groom
- Copy of valid state issued I.D. OR Copy of Passport picture page OR Copy of
legible birth certificate for witnesses (minimum 2 and maximum 4 witnesses can
sit in for each couple. Witnesses have to be at least 18 years or older). If you do
not have witnesses we can provide 2 for you at a fee of $40.00 each.
- If applicable: 1st and last page of divorce decree(s) for bride and/or groom
- If applicable: Copy of death certificate(s) if bride and/or groom are widowed.
Once we receive these documents by fax we will deliver them to the registrar.
We will inform you of his approval after which you will have to forward the
originals to us by Federal Express or other overnight service (please do not use
Express Service offered by the United States Postal Services as that is only
express while going over US territory and becomes regular "snail mail" once it
leaves US territory which can take up to 2 months to reach us!). You do not have
to forward the original passport or valid state issued photo I.D., but do include an
additional copy of either in the package with the other originals.
After this legal ceremony the couple can opt to solemnize their wedding on the
beach at sunset or at any other venue of their choice. Please take a look at the
packages and options offered for this part of your special event.
Helpful Civil Ceremony Explanations
- In Aruba, ALL legal/civil weddings have to take place within the confines of the
civil town house, (a beautifully restored historic building), prior to solemnizing
their union at their venue of choice. .
- The Civil Town House is open for weddings Monday through Friday from
10am through 12 noon and from 2.30 pm to 4.00pm and on Saturdays from
10.30am through 12.30pm
- A long form birth certificate is a birth certificate that shows the city and state
the person was born in as well as full names of parents including mother.s
maiden name.
- An apostille is a one-page document that authenticates the long form birth
certificate
- A negative statement of marriage is a document that proves that a person is
single and eligible to be wed
- A Letter of intent will be forwarded to you once you confirm to us that you will
be using our services for your legal wedding. Please make 2 hard copies. Bride
fills one out with her information on the top and grooms information on the bottom
and bride signs that one and groom fills one out with his information on the top
and bride.s information on the bottom and groom signs it.
- Even if bride and/or groom have submitted divorce decree(s) and/or pertaining
death certificate(s) they must also submit a negative statement of marriage which
should be issued from the approximate date that the previous marriage was
dissolved up to the date that the pertaining authorities have available.
- For U.S. Citizens: Long form birth certificates, apostilles and negative
statement of marriage are obtained at the bureau of vital statistics located in the
department of health.
- In the U.K.: Apostilles for the Birth Certificates are obtained at the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs
- In Canada: Apostilles for the Birth Certificates are obtained either at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs or at the Cosulaat Generale in Montreal, Toronto or
Vancouver.
- Proper attire is required at the civil town hall. No shorts, slippers, or cut-offs.
Sundress or cocktail dress is suitable for the ladies, slacks and a buttoned up shirt for the men.
Full wedding attire is also suitable.
