Ship Captains: International Waters Wedding Officiants?

Getting married at sea by a ship's captain is a romantic notion that has been perpetuated by Hollywood. While it is possible in some cases, it is not a straightforward process and is, in fact, quite rare. There are many complexities and legal requirements involved, and these differ depending on the country of the couple, the captain, and the ship.

The legality of weddings performed by ship captains in international waters

In general, ship captains do not possess any inherent authority to officiate weddings that are legally recognised. This notion was addressed by John K. Fulweiler, a specialist in admiralty and maritime law, who stated that it is one of the most commonly misunderstood facts. The myth may have originated from the historical authority held by ship captains, which included the power to arrest and jail individuals on their ships, create birth and death certificates, and act as a notary for official documents.

However, there are some countries that grant ship captains the authority to perform weddings. For example, Japanese ship captains are permitted to marry two Japanese citizens as long as they hold valid Japanese passports. Similarly, Romanian law grants this authority to both ship and aircraft captains. Bermuda also allows captains of ships registered in the country to officiate weddings.

To navigate the legal complexities, some ship captains choose to obtain additional certification to officiate weddings. This can be a lucrative way to earn extra income and attract wedding parties to their ships. In the United States, for instance, becoming ordained and obtaining the necessary certification is a relatively straightforward process.

It is worth noting that even without legal authority, ship captains may still perform wedding ceremonies with the understanding that the marriage is not legally binding. In some cases, this can still qualify as a common-law marriage, depending on the laws of the couple's home country. Additionally, some cruise lines operating under foreign flags and laws have found ways to perform legal weddings in international waters with the ship's captain as the officiant.

Ultimately, the legality of weddings performed by ship captains in international waters depends on a variety of factors, including the captain's certification, the ship's registration, the laws of the countries involved, and the couple's citizenship. While it may be a romantic notion, it is important to carefully research and understand the specific requirements and restrictions that apply to each unique situation.

The certification required for captains to officiate weddings

While ship captains are not inherently authorised to officiate weddings, some countries, such as Bermuda and Japan, allow captains to perform wedding ceremonies under certain conditions. For instance, in Bermuda, the ship must be registered in the country, and in Japan, the marrying couple must hold valid Japanese passports.

In other countries, captains can obtain the necessary certification to officiate weddings. In the United States, for example, captains can become ordained online through various organisations, some of which offer this service for free.

Additionally, some cruise lines, such as Princess Cruises, have captains with Bermuda licenses to perform weddings on select ships. Similarly, some Swedish captains are explicitly authorised to conduct weddings on their cruise ships.

It is important to note that marriage laws vary by country, and while some countries may recognise weddings performed by ship captains, others may not. Therefore, it is essential to verify the relevant laws and regulations before planning a wedding at sea.

The history of captains officiating weddings

The idea of a ship captain officiating a wedding at sea is a romantic notion that has been popularised by Hollywood. In reality, this is a complex process that is rarely carried out.

The notion of captains legally joining couples at sea has been perpetuated by Hollywood films, such as "The African Queen" and "Casablanca", and TV shows like "The Love Boat". This has led to a common misconception that any ship captain can perform a wedding ceremony at sea. However, in most countries, this is not legally permitted.

For a ship captain to officiate a wedding, they must also hold a position that is legally recognised as having the authority to perform weddings, such as a judge, a justice of the peace, a minister, or a notary public. Some cruise lines, operating under specific flags and laws, have found ways to allow their captains to perform weddings at sea. For example, captains of Princess Cruise ships Golden Princess, Star Princess, and Grand Princess can perform weddings through Bermuda law and their Bermuda licenses to perform weddings. Japanese ships also allow captains to officiate weddings, but only for couples with valid Japanese passports.

In some states, like California and Massachusetts, a sea captain can obtain a temporary licence to perform weddings. Additionally, certain organisations, like the Universal Life Church, offer online ordinations that are legally recognised in most states.

While the exact history of this tradition is unclear, it is likely rooted in the longer duration of ocean crossings compared to flights or train rides, as well as the romanticism associated with amorous assignations on the high seas.

Countries where captains can legally marry couples

While it is a common belief that a ship's captain can legally marry a couple, this is, in fact, a rarity. A ship's captain generally does not have the legal right to officiate a wedding at sea. For a captain to perform a marriage, they must also hold another position, such as a judge, justice of the peace, minister, or officially recognised officiant like a notary public.

In the case of Japanese ships, captains can perform marriage ceremonies, but only if the couple has valid Japanese passports.

Through Bermuda law, captains with a Bermuda licence to perform weddings can officiate weddings aboard the Princess Cruise ships Golden Princess, Star Princess, and Grand Princess.

Additionally, captains of British-flagged vessels could perform marriages until a change in law removed this ability. Similarly, Dutch captains could perform marriages until a change in rules due to foreign captains sailing on Dutch-flagged vessels.

Therefore, while captains can legally marry couples in some countries, this is not a widespread practice and is subject to change over time.

The process of getting married at sea

Getting married at sea is a complex process and is not a regular event. A ship's captain generally does not have the legal right to officiate a wedding at sea. However, there are certain circumstances in which captains can perform the wedding ceremony.

Firstly, if the captain is also a judge, a justice of the peace, a minister, or an officially recognised officiant such as a Notary Public, they can legally marry a couple at sea. Additionally, Japanese ships allow captains to perform weddings, but only if the couple has valid Japanese passports.

Furthermore, specific cruise lines such as Princess Cruises have captains with Bermuda licenses to perform weddings, so their captains can officiate weddings aboard ship and at sea. Similarly, captains of ships registered in Malta, Bermuda, or the Bahamas can legally perform wedding ceremonies at sea. This includes cruise lines such as P&O, Princess, and Celebrity Cruises.

If you want to get married at sea, it is important to plan ahead and communicate with the cruise line to understand their specific requirements and legal processes. While it is a challenging endeavour, getting married at sea can be a romantic and unique experience.

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