CARIBBEAN: JAMAICA

Every year over one million visitors come to Jamaica, the Caribbean's third-largest island and it's not hard to see why. It is a self contained universe offering unsurpassed tropical beauty, excellent water sports, and the most vibrant of music scenes. All-inclusive resorts are numerous or you can choose to wed in a former plantation great house or in a private vila with views of the Caribbean. The top 3 spots to tie the knot on the island include the Blue Lagoon in Port Antonio, Lovers Leap near the South Coast's rugged edge, and on Negril's cliffs at sunset. Jamaica is a large island with several resort locations allowing you to escape to another part of the island for privacy after the wedding festivities are over.

MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS:
Visitors can be married just 24 hour after arriving in Jamaica providing prior application has been made for a marriage license. The cost of a license is four thousand Jamaican dollars (approximately US$75-US$80).

To apply for your marriage license, call our Ministry of National Security at 1-876-906-4908 or visit:
The Ministry of National Security
Mutual Life Building
2 Oxford Road, Kingston 5.
Office Hours: Monday to Thursday 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Friday from 9:00 A.M.to 4:00 P.M.

Unlike many countries, Jamaica does not expect you take a blood test before getting married. However, the following documentation is required:
1. Proof of citizenship - certified copy of birth certificate, which includes father's name.
2. Parent's written consent if under 18 years of age.
3. Proof of divorce if applicable (original certificate of divorce).
4. Certified copy of death certificate for widow or widower.
5. Italian nationals celebrating their wedding in Jamaica must notify their embassy and a certified copy of their marriage certificate forwarded to their embassy to be legalized and translated.
6. French Canadians need a notarized translated copy of all documents and a photocopy of the original French documents.]
There are non-denominational Marriage Officers who can officiate either at their offices, in their homes or at a place chosen by the couple, and are able to provide witnesses. Marriage Officers charge anywhere from US$50 – US$250.

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