Wedding Bells

On Location “I Dos”

We highlight 10 great places to get hitched on location and the travel documents you need to make your union legal. By Alyssa Buckley

• Print
• Email to a friend

1. Bermuda
Obtaining a marriage licence:You must fill out a Notice of Intended Marriage government form.
Identification needed: Passport
Licence waiting period: 15 days
Licence fee: $270
Residency needed: None
Witnesses needed: Two

2. Aruba
Obtaining a marriage licence: You are required to bring documentation verifying that neither party is currently married.
Identification needed: Birth certificate, passport, certificate of no impediment
Licence waiting period: One month
Licence fee: $80 for weekdays, $200 for Saturdays, holidays and outside office hours
Residency needed: None
Witnesses needed: Two

3. Bahamas
Obtaining a marriage licence: In order to obtain a marriage licence in the Bahamas you and your partner must apply for their marriage licence at the Registrar's office together before you can be granted a marriage licence.
Identification needed: Passport, immigration card and affidavit
Licence waiting period: One day
Licence fee: $140
Residency needed: 24 hours
Witnesses needed: Two

4. Florida
Obtaining a marriage licence: To obtain a Florida marriage licence you must contact the courthouse in the county you wish to be married in.
Identification needed: Passport, birth certificate and social insurance number
Licence waiting period: Three days
Licence fee: $100
Residency needed: None
Witnesses needed: None

5. France
Obtaining a marriage licence: The application process for a marriage contract in France can be quite complicated. Ensure that you begin planning well in advance and consult the French consulate. 
Identification needed: Passport, certificate of foreign land, pre-nuptial medical certificate
Licence waiting period: Six months
Licence fee: There is no set fee for a marriage certificate in France. Some fees may include; notary fees, fees of procedure and advertising and a fixed duty fee of $195.
Residency needed: One to two months
Witnesses needed: Two

6. Hawaii
Obtaining a marriage licence: You need to apply in person for a marriage licence in Hawaii.
Identification needed: Passport
Licence waiting period: None
Licence fee: $60 cash only
Residency needed: None
Witnesses needed: None

7. Ireland
Obtaining a marriage licence: Notification of your marriage must be given at least three months beforehand.
Identification needed: Passport, birth certificate, declaration of no impediment
Licence waiting period: Three months
Licence fee: $250 (includes notification fee)
Residency needed: None
Witnesses needed: Two

8. Italy
Obtaining a marriage licence: The application process for a marriage contract in Italy can be quite complicated. Ensure that you begin planning well in advance and consult the Italian consulate. 
Identification needed: Passport, birth certificate, atto notorio and nulla osta. All forms will need to be translated into Italian.
Licence waiting period: None
Licence fee: There are many different fees associated with obtaining notarizations, translations, apostilles and ordering of public documents, depending on your case. Ensure that you consult the Italian consulate well in advance.
Residency needed: None
Witnesses needed: Two plus an interpreter

9. Mexico
Obtaining a marriage licence: Before you can get married in Mexico you must complete a chest X-ray and blood test in the state that you wish to be married.
Identification needed: Passport, birth certificate and tourist permit. All documents will need to be translated into Spanish and notarized with your nearest Mexican consulate.
Licence waiting period: One to two days
Licence fee: $30
Residency needed: None
Witnesses needed: Four

10. Scotland
Obtaining a marriage licence: Before you can apply for a Scottish marriage licence, you will need to apply for a U.K. visa. Notice must be given to the registrar no later than 15 days before your intended date.
Identification needed: Birth certificate and certificate of no impediment 
Licence waiting period: Three months
Licence fee: $200
Residency needed: None
Witnesses needed: Two