Before you say “I do,” there are a few things you need to have in place for your special wedding in Barbados.
Make arrangements for an authorised marriage officer, Minister of Religion or Magistrate to perform the ceremony. This must be done prior to applying for the Marriage Licence. A letter from either the Magistrate or Marriage Officer must be presented at the time of making the application.
You must apply for a Marriage Licence from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Bridgetown. The cost for this is Bds$200 (US$100) with a Bds$25 (US$12.50) stamp (for non-residents of Barbados).
You will need to present your passports or original (or certified copies) of both of your birth certificates, as well as your return tickets.
If either of you were previously married and widowed, an original (or certified copy) of your marriage certificate and death certificate of the deceased must be presented.
If either of you are divorced, the original Decree Absolute or a certified copy of the Final Judgment must be presented. The Decree Nisi is not accepted.
For a Roman Catholic ceremony, the relevant documents must be sent by your Bishop to the Bishop of Bridgetown.
Magistrate fees for civil marriage ceremonies are Bds$250 (US$125) for ceremonies held IN the court, and Bds$350 (US$175) for ceremonies held OUT OF the court.
We suggest using the services of an experienced wedding co-ordinator to help you with all of your planning and preparations. A wedding co-ordinator who is familiar with the sometimes quirky Barbados bureaucracy and will ensure a smooth and stress free ceremony.