Franklin Dean
Bermuda is a popular destination for US couples seeking a wedding abroad, thanks to its proximity to the US East Coast, its idyllic setting, and its pink sand beaches. Bermuda weddings are legal in the US, but there are some legal requirements to be aware of. For example, couples must submit a 'Notice of Intended Marriage' form, which can be downloaded from the Bermuda Government's Registrar General's office website, and published in the Bermuda newspapers. The form must be printed on white legal-size paper and sent to the Registrar General with a fee of $341, which includes the wedding certificate. The marriage certificate must be signed by two witnesses over the age of 18.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Bermuda is 650 miles off the coast of North Carolina |
| Popularity | Bermuda is a popular destination for weddings due to its proximity to the US and its pink sand beaches |
| Legal Requirements | To legally marry in Bermuda, couples must complete the 'Notice of Intended Marriage' form and pay a fee of $341 (includes the wedding certificate) or $418 (BMD) |
| Witnesses | Two witnesses over the age of 18 are required for the wedding to be legal |
| Divorcees | Divorced persons cannot marry in Roman Catholic churches in Bermuda, but other churches may allow it with special permission |
| Widowed | A copy of the deceased spouse's death certificate must be provided |
| Marriage Officers | The wedding can be performed by a registered Marriage Officer of a church, the Registrar, or the Assistant Registrar General for civil weddings |
| Marriage Locations | Marriages can take place in hotels, beaches, and other public places, but civil ceremonies are restricted to a few locations |
| Maritime Marriages | Couples can be married on Bermuda-registered ships by the ship's captain |
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What You'll Learn
Marriage license requirements
To get married in Bermuda, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be 16 or over (with written parental permission if under 18)
- Be free to marry (single, divorced, or widowed)
- Not be closely related to your intended spouse
- If you have been married before, you must provide a copy of your final divorce decree (decree absolute) or a death certificate for your deceased spouse
- If your divorce took place outside of Bermuda, the Registrar may require you to obtain a certificate of non-marriage from the relevant authority in the country where the divorce was granted. The signature on the certificate must be validated to confirm its authenticity.
- Any supporting documentation that is not in English must be translated before submission.
To obtain a marriage license, you must:
- Complete the "Notice of Intended Marriage" form and submit it to the Bermuda Government's Registrar General's office at least 15 days before the wedding. The form can be downloaded online or requested from the Registrar General's office.
- Include a form of payment (bank draft or cashier's check) for the filing fees, totaling US $341 (or $418 in BMD), which includes the cost of your wedding certificate. The payment must be made payable to the Accountant General, Hamilton, Bermuda.
- If either partner has been divorced or widowed, they must submit a clear copy of their identification (driver's license or passport) along with certified copies of the relevant documents (divorce decree or death certificate).
- Mail the form printed on white legal-sized paper (8.5" x 14").
- After a 15-day waiting period, the Registry General will issue a marriage license that is valid for three months from the date of issue.
- Before the wedding, give the marriage license to the registered Marriage Officer (e.g., minister, rabbi, imam, or civil ceremony officiant) who will perform the ceremony.
- Ensure that two witnesses over the age of 18 are present at your wedding ceremony. Couples are responsible for providing their own witnesses on Saturdays.
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Marriage certificate fees
Bermuda is a popular destination for weddings, with its stunning venues and proximity to the US. If you're considering getting married in Bermuda, it's important to be aware of the various fees involved in obtaining a marriage certificate. Here is a detailed breakdown of the fees and processes:
The marriage certificate fees in Bermuda include the following:
- Notice of Intended Marriage Form Fee: When submitting the "Notice of Intended Marriage" form to the Bermuda Government's Registrar General's office, a fee must be included. This fee is $418 (BMD) or $341 (USD), according to different sources. This fee includes the cost of the wedding certificate.
- Special Marriage Licence Application Fee: There is a separate fee of $35.00 (BMD) for applying for a special marriage license.
- Special Marriage Licence Fee: The cost of the special marriage license itself is $715.00 (BMD).
- Special Marriage Certificate Fee: If you require a special marriage certificate, there is an additional fee of $40.00 (BMD).
- Marriage Ceremony Fees: The fees for the marriage ceremony vary depending on the location:
- Registry General: The fee for a marriage ceremony at the Registry General is $245 (BMD). This fee applies when the wedding is moved indoors due to inclement weather or when the ceremony is conducted within the Registry General.
- Other Locations: For civil ceremonies held in approved locations outside the Registry General, such as parks and beaches, a fee of $450 (BMD) must be paid to the Registry General.
Refundable Fees: In certain situations, you may be eligible for a refund. The refundable amounts are as follows:
- Unissued Certificate: $65.00 (BMD) is refundable for an unissued certificate.
- Official Gazette Publication: If publications have not been made, $84.00 (BMD) is refundable for each official gazette publication.
Payment Methods
The Government of Bermuda accepts various payment methods for marriage certificate fees:
- International Money Order
- US$ Bank Draft payable to the "Accountant General"
- Credit Card (by providing details over the phone after submitting the order form)
- Bank/Wire Transfer (using the provided bank account details)
Additional Considerations
It's important to note that the fees and processes for obtaining a marriage certificate in Bermuda may change, so it's always best to refer to the official Bermuda Government websites for the most up-to-date information. Additionally, there are other costs associated with a wedding in Bermuda, such as travel, accommodation, and venue-specific expenses, which should be considered when planning your budget.
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Witnesses and officiants
While it is not explicitly clear whether Bermuda weddings are considered legal in the US, there are a number of requirements for witnesses and officiants that must be met for a wedding to be legal in Bermuda.
Witnesses
Bermuda law requires that there are two witnesses present at the wedding ceremony for the marriage to be legal. These witnesses must be over the age of 18. Couples are responsible for providing their own witnesses if the wedding takes place on a Saturday. If necessary, wedding planners can help supply witnesses.
Officiants
A Bermuda wedding must be officiated by a registered Marriage Officer (a member of the clergy), the Registrar General, or an Assistant Registrar General. The Registrar General/Assistant Registrar General can only perform weddings at the Registry itself. If the wedding is off-site, a member of the clergy must be hired to officiate. Civil ceremonies can be performed by the Registrar General at the Registry General Office between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, and 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays. An additional fee of $260 is required for civil ceremonies.
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Divorcees and remarriage
If you are divorced and want to get remarried in Bermuda, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Firstly, under Bermuda law, you can only be married to one person at any given time. So, if you have been married before, you must provide a copy of your final divorce decree (or "decree absolute") along with your "Notice of Intended Marriage" form. This applies regardless of whether your divorce took place in Bermuda or outside the country. The signature on any divorce-related documents must be validated to confirm its authenticity.
It's important to note that if you are a divorcee, you cannot get married in any of the Roman Catholic churches in Bermuda. However, church weddings for divorcees may be possible in other denominations, such as Anglican or Methodist churches, with special permission from the minister concerned. If you are set on a church wedding, it's best to contact the relevant church authority directly to discuss your options.
To get legally married in Bermuda, you must follow certain procedures. First, you need to file a "Notice of Intended Marriage" form with the Bermuda Government's Registrar General's office. This form can be downloaded from the official website or requested by calling their office. The form must be printed on white legal-size paper (8.5 inches by 14 inches) and mailed back to the Registrar General, along with the required fees. The total cost, including the marriage certificate, is currently USD 341, although some sources state it as USD 418. You must also include a copy of your final divorce decree with the form. Once the Registrar General receives your completed form and payment, they will issue a marriage license, which is valid for three months.
After obtaining your marriage license, you can proceed with your wedding ceremony. Marriages may be performed by a registered Marriage Officer (such as a minister, rabbi, or imam), the Registrar General, or an Assistant Registrar General. If your ceremony is off-site, you will need to hire a clergy member, but a wedding consultant can assist you with this process. Your marriage will be recognised worldwide, including in the United States.
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Same-sex marriage
The legalisation of same-sex marriage in Bermuda in 2017 was a significant step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in the country. During this time, 14 same-sex marriages took place on the island, and six were held at sea on Bermuda-flagged ships. However, social attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community in Bermuda have often been less accepting. Some gay and lesbian residents have chosen to emigrate to countries like the United Kingdom, where they feel they can live more openly.
The legal recognition of same-sex marriage in Bermuda has been a complex and contentious issue. While the Supreme Court of Bermuda initially ruled in favour of same-sex marriage in 2017, this decision was met with opposition from groups like Preserve Marriage, which criticised the ruling as "an attack on traditional marriage and Christian values". The Bermuda government's appeal against the legalisation of same-sex marriage was upheld by the Court of Appeal in November 2018, effectively banning same-sex marriage once again.
Despite the ban, several same-sex marriages that took place during the brief period of legality remain legally valid in Bermuda. These marriages create a unique situation in the country, with three classes of Bermudian citizens: heterosexual couples who have always had the right to marry, the small number of same-sex couples whose marriages are still recognised, and gay and lesbian Bermudians who no longer have the right to marry and can only enter into domestic partnerships.
The repeal of same-sex marriage in Bermuda has had significant ramifications and has been met with international criticism. Bermuda became the first country in the world to remove the right to marry for same-sex couples, sparking concerns about a potential rollback of LGBTQ+ rights in other countries. The decision has been challenged by LGBTQ+ groups, who argue that it removes a fundamental human right and contravenes international human rights conventions.
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Frequently asked questions
To get married in Bermuda, couples must publish a 'Notice of Intended Marriage' in the Bermuda newspapers and submit the form to the Registrar General. If either party has been married before, they must include the divorce decree or death certificate of the former spouse. There is a 15-day waiting period before the marriage license is issued, and the license is valid for three months. The ceremony must be performed by a registered Marriage Officer, the Registrar, or the Assistant Registrar General. Two witnesses over the age of 18 are required.
The fee for the Notice of Intended Marriage form is $341, which includes the marriage certificate. The marriage ceremony fee is usually $418 but is reduced to $245 if the wedding is held at the Registry General.
Yes, US citizens can legally marry in Bermuda as long as they follow the local laws and requirements. Many US couples choose to have their legal wedding in the US before travelling to Bermuda for a symbolic ceremony.
Bermuda weddings can take place in a variety of locations, including churches, hotels, beaches, and other public places. Civil ceremonies are restricted to a handful of approved locations.
No, gay marriages are not permitted in Bermuda.
