Paperwork

Civil weddings in Dominican Republic

Foreigners
  • Original Birth certificates of the bride and groom, the long detailed version that includes parent's names (duplicate or Notary Certified True Copy).
  • Photocopy of the passports of the bride, groom, and at least two witnesses.
Note: if the bride's and groom's passport are in Spanish, and they record the marital status as single, it is not mandatory the presentation of proof of bachelorhood. For all other cases, a sworn declaration before a notary public of being single and eligible to marry AKA Single Status Affidavit is necessary. This statement must be legalized by the Dominican consular authority accredited to the place it was issued. If the document is not written in Spanish, must be translated by a court interpreter and legalized by the Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  • If previously married, a Divorce Certificate or Death Certificate, if applicable (duplicate or Notary Certified True Copy)
  • Adoption Certificate, if applicable.
  • Parental Authorization, if applicable.
Witnesses cannot be family members.
There is a mandatory period for women of 10 months before remarrying.
Dominican Republic is now a member of the La Hague Convention, please have your official documents apostilled by the office of Vital Records in your state.
All documents must be translated into Spanish and legalized by the Dominican Consulate before arriving in the Dominican Republic.
You may send photocopies in advance to book the day in Civil Registry Office and bring the original with you.
Legal ceremonies can only be held Monday to Saturday, and the time will depend on the Judge's availability.

Dominican citizens

  • ID cards or “Cédulas” of the bride and groom
  • Divorce Certificate (if married before)
  • Death Certificate (in the case of a widow or widower).
  • Birth Certificate of the couple
  • At least two witnesses. Witnesses cannot be family or direct or collateral relatives up to the third grade inclusive of the couple.
  • If the couple has children together, birth certificates of the children (these must be previously declared).

Catholic weddings in Dominican Republic

Foreigners
  • Authorization from an archbishop in the couple’s country of residence to the local archdiocese, if the couple wishes to marry in the Roman Catholic Church.
  • Pre-marriage Certificate.
  • Civil Marriage Certificate legalized by the Dominican Consulate if the couple has already celebrated a civil marriage in their country.
  • Baptism Certificates.
  • Confirmation Certificates.
  • Church Certificate of Annulment, if applicable.
Legal transcripts of the birth certificates, single status affidavit, and divorce certificate are prepared at the Dominican Consulate in the country where the documents were issued.

Dominican citizens

  • Certification of Non-Existence of Civil Marriage issued by the Civil Registry Office located within the jurisdiction corresponding to the parish.
  • Textual Marriage Act issued by the parish and legalized in the diocese.
  • That the civil marriage is not registered in the Civil Registry Office corresponding to the couple.
  • Instrument affidavit before a Notary Public and duly legalized at the Attorney General’s Office, in which the parties declare that they have not contracted a civil marriage before the celebration of the canonical marriage that is intended to be transcribed; and the names of all children of the marriage. It can be done by the spouses or by their descendants if they have died.

Records may be deposited at the Civil Registry Office corresponding to the parish where the wedding was celebrated or directly to the National Register of Civil Status (Dirección Nacional de Registro del Estado Civil).

You should also read this:
  • Couple must be in the country at least 3 business days prior to their legal wedding (Do not include Saturdays, Sundays & Dominican Holidays)
  • The Civil Wedding is celebrated in Spanish.
  • Symbolic and non-legal ceremonies allow flexibility for arrival date.
  • No paperwork is required for a symbolic wedding.
  • If you wish a more personalized ceremony, bring your own Officiant or pay for the service of one locally.
Share by: