Rhiannon Hendricks
St Lucia is a popular destination for weddings and honeymoons, offering stunning beaches, exotic waterfalls, and beautiful mountaintops as backdrops for your special day. Getting married in St Lucia requires careful planning and navigating the local laws and vendor scene. But are St Lucia weddings legal in the US? According to the State Department's website, marriages for US citizens that are legally performed abroad are generally recognized as valid in the USA. However, it is advisable to consult with a legal professional familiar with the laws in the relevant jurisdictions to ensure your marriage is legally recognized in your home country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recognition of St. Lucia weddings in the US | Yes, marriages performed in St. Lucia are recognized in the US |
| Requirements for recognition in the US | None, but you may need to present a copy of the marriage license to the Social Security office to update your name |
| St. Lucia marriage license requirements | No residency period, but a same-day marriage license application requires couples to be in St. Lucia 24 hours before their wedding; a regular marriage license requires couples to be in St. Lucia two days prior |
| St. Lucia marriage certificate | A "temporary" handwritten marriage certificate is provided after the ceremony; the "official" marriage certificate can be obtained from the Registry of Civil Status in Castries for USD$5.00 |
| St. Lucia wedding planning | Many St. Lucia hotels have dedicated wedding coordinators; a destination wedding planner can also be hired |
| St. Lucia wedding costs | Notarial fees and marriage license (EC $335 or EC $540 for same-day); "official" marriage certificate (USD$5.00) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
St Lucia weddings are legally recognised in the US
St Lucia is a popular destination for weddings, with its beautiful scenery, relatively good weather, and pristine beaches. The island offers a variety of wedding packages and honeymoon activities to create unforgettable memories for couples.
If you are a US citizen and are considering getting married in St Lucia, you may be wondering if the marriage will be legally recognised back home. According to the State Department's website, marriages for US citizens that are legally performed abroad and are valid in the country where they were performed are also valid in the USA. This means that as long as your marriage is legally performed in St Lucia, it will be recognised in the United States.
There are a few things to keep in mind when planning a wedding in St Lucia. Firstly, St Lucia has no residency period, so marriage licenses can be obtained within 24 hours of arrival with a same-day marriage license application. However, there are minor fees and license costs to consider, such as notarial fees and the marriage license fee, which is EC $335 or EC $540 for the same-day service. Additionally, if you are under 18, you will need a sworn affidavit of consent stamped by a Notary Public. After the ceremony, you will receive a temporary handwritten marriage certificate. It is recommended that you apply for the official marriage certificate from the Registry of Civil Status in Castries before departing St Lucia for an additional cost of USD $5.00.
While St Lucian weddings are legally recognised in the US, it is always a good idea to consult with a local attorney or wedding planner familiar with the laws in St Lucia to ensure that all the necessary legal requirements are met.
Pressed Wedding Flowers: Creative Display Ideas for Your Home
You may want to see also
Explore related products
No residency period in St Lucia
Getting married in St Lucia is a straightforward process, thanks to the absence of a residency period. This means that couples can obtain a marriage license within 24 hours of their arrival on the island. For those who opt for a same-day marriage license, this can be obtained immediately. However, it is important to note that for a regular marriage license, couples are required to be in St Lucia two days before their wedding.
The ease of the process is further enhanced by the availability of dedicated wedding coordinators in many hotels across the island. These coordinators can assist with planning and cost verification. It is advisable to contact your chosen hotel in advance to make the necessary arrangements.
There are a few requirements to keep in mind when planning a wedding in St Lucia. Firstly, if either party is under 18, a sworn affidavit of consent, stamped by a Notary Public, is required. Additionally, if the required documents are not in English, authenticated translations must be presented alongside the originals.
The cost of getting married in St Lucia includes notarial fees and the marriage license fee. The standard fee for the marriage license is EC $335, while a same-day license incurs a higher fee of EC $540. After the marriage ceremony, the couple will receive a temporary, handwritten marriage certificate. It is recommended to apply for the official marriage certificate, which can be obtained from the Registry of Civil Status in Castries, before departing St Lucia for a small fee of USD $5.00.
It is worth noting that marriages performed in St Lucia are legally recognised in the United States. According to the State Department's website, marriages legally performed abroad by US citizens are also valid in the USA. This means that couples can simply present their marriage license to the relevant authorities upon their return to update their records.
September Weddings: Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
St Lucia marriage certificates
Marriages performed in St Lucia are legally recognised in the US. According to the State Department's website, marriages for US citizens that are legally performed abroad are also valid in the USA.
In St Lucia, there is no residency period, so marriage licenses can be obtained within 24 hours of arrival with a same-day marriage license application. The cost of a regular marriage license is EC $335, or EC $540 for a same-day license. The couple must be in St Lucia two days prior to their wedding if they apply for the regular license.
After the marriage ceremony, you will receive a "temporary" handwritten marriage certificate. You can apply for the "official" marriage certificate prior to leaving St Lucia. The official marriage certificate is obtained from the Registry of Civil Status, located on Brazil Street in Castries, for a cost of USD$5.00.
Barry's Big Bang Wedding Song: A Musical Mystery
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Legal documents and advanced preparation
Marriages performed in St Lucia are legally recognised in the US. According to the State Department's website, marriages for US citizens that are "legally performed abroad and valid abroad are also valid in the USA".
Legal Documents
St Lucia does not have a residency period, so marriage licenses can be obtained within 24 hours of arrival with a same-day marriage license application. The cost of a same-day marriage license is EC $540. The normal application process requires couples to be in St Lucia two days prior to their wedding. After the signing of the wedding application in front of a notary public, the application process requires the documents to remain with the Attorney General's offices for 2 full working days. The cost of a normal marriage license is EC $335.
If an applicant has been divorced, they must present a divorce decree. If an applicant has been widowed, they must present a marriage certificate and a death certificate. If an applicant is under 18, they must present a sworn affidavit of consent stamped by a Notary Public. If the required documents are not in English, an authenticated translation must be presented in addition to the originals.
Advanced Preparation
Many hotels in St Lucia have dedicated wedding coordinators who can assist with planning your wedding. It is advisable to contact your hotel in advance to make arrangements. After the marriage ceremony, you will receive a "temporary" handwritten marriage certificate. It is recommended that you apply for the "official" marriage certificate (cost: USD$5.00) before departing St Lucia. The official marriage certificate is obtained from the Registry of Civil Status, located on Brazil Street in Castries.
Other Requirements
Passports (divorced female partners must also provide their birth certificate) and the immigration form copy received upon entering St Lucia are also required.
Sweet Wedding Song Choices for Your Big Day
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Costs and fees
Marriages for US citizens that are legally performed in Saint Lucia are also valid in the USA. There are no residency requirements in Saint Lucia, so marriage licenses can be obtained within 24 hours of arrival with a same-day marriage license application. However, couples applying for a regular marriage license are required to be in Saint Lucia two days before their wedding.
There are a few minor fees and license costs to take care of when getting married in Saint Lucia. The fees include notarial fees and marriage license fees, which cost EC $335 for a standard application and EC $540 for a same-day application. After the marriage ceremony, you will receive a "temporary" handwritten marriage certificate. It is advisable to apply for the "official" marriage certificate from the Registry of Civil Status before leaving Saint Lucia for a small fee of USD $5.00.
The cost of a wedding in Saint Lucia varies depending on the venue and the season. The peak season in Saint Lucia is from December to April, when the weather is typically more favourable but resorts tend to be pricier and busier. A wedding venue in Saint Lucia costs around £1,237, which is significantly cheaper than in the UK. The overall cost of a wedding in Saint Lucia, before added extras such as decorations, wedding attire, and stationery, is approximately £5,664. This is considerably less expensive than a wedding in the UK, which costs an average of £13,641.
Return flights to Saint Lucia can be found for approximately £540 per person, and accommodation in a 5-star resort for a week can cost about £650 per person. It is worth noting that some resorts can be quite expensive, with rooms starting at over $1,300 per night. Additionally, officiants in Saint Lucia are more affordable than in the UK, with an average cost of £415 compared to £920. Wedding flowers and decorations are also more economical, with a florist in Saint Lucia costing an average of £598, less than half the price in the UK.
Overall, getting married in Saint Lucia offers a cost-effective alternative to a wedding in the UK, especially when combined with a honeymoon on the island. Many hotels in Saint Lucia have dedicated wedding coordinators who can assist with planning and verifying costs. It is recommended to contact the hotel in advance to make the necessary arrangements.
Italian vs Mexican Wedding Cookies: What's the Difference?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, a marriage that is legally performed in St Lucia is generally recognized in the US.
After your wedding in St Lucia, you will receive a "temporary" handwritten marriage certificate. You should then apply for the "official" marriage certificate from the Registry of Civil Status, located on Brazil Street in Castries, before you leave St Lucia. Once you return to the US, you can take a copy of your marriage certificate to the Social Security office to update your name.
No, US states do not require foreign marriages to be registered locally to be valid.
If you separate, you must obtain a formal divorce through a US court or the jurisdiction where the marriage took place.
Yes, you could consider having a small legal ceremony in the US and then hosting a symbolic wedding in St Lucia. This would help you avoid St Lucia's fees and requirements for a legal ceremony.
