How Do I Make My Dominican Republic Wedding Legal in My Home Country?
Getting married on the beach in the Dominican Republic is the ultimate dream for many couples — but if you want your marriage to be legally valid back home, there are some important legal steps you shouldn’t skip.
Whether you're from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, or elsewhere, the good news is this: a wedding held in the Dominican Republic can be recognized in your country, but it must meet specific legal criteria. Here's what you need to know.
Legal Ceremonies vs. Symbolic Ceremonies
To make your marriage valid abroad, you must have a civil wedding in the Dominican Republic — not just a symbolic beach ceremony or religious blessing.
A civil ceremony is conducted by a Dominican judge or notary and is registered officially at the local Civil Registry (Oficialía del Estado Civil). Only then will you receive a legal Dominican marriage certificate.
Symbolic ceremonies, while beautiful and emotional, do not carry legal weight unless paired with proper civil documentation.
Steps to Make Your Marriage Legal in Your Home Country
To ensure your marriage is recognized abroad, follow these steps:
1. Prepare the Required Documents Before traveling, you and your partner must prepare the following:
Valid passports
Original birth certificates
Sworn affidavit of single status (notarized and translated into Spanish)
Divorce decree or death certificate (if previously married)
Two witnesses with valid identification
All foreign documents must be apostilled in your country of origin before being submitted in the Dominican Republic. Apostille is a form of international authentication used between countries that are part of the Hague Convention.
2. Register the Marriage in the Dominican Republic The civil ceremony must be registered locally by an official. After the wedding, you’ll receive a Dominican marriage certificate issued by the Civil Registry.
3. Apostille the Marriage Certificate Take the Dominican marriage certificate to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) in Santo Domingo to get it apostilled. This legalizes the certificate for use in other countries.
4. Translate the Certificate Once apostilled, the certificate must be translated into your native language (English, French, etc.) by a certified translator, especially if your home country requires official documentation in its national language.
5. Submit the Certificate Back Home (If Required) Most countries, including the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., do not require you to register your foreign marriage. However, you’ll need the apostilled and translated certificate when updating marital status, changing your last name, applying for benefits, or immigration purposes.
Check with your local government or consulate to confirm if any additional steps are required in your jurisdiction.
What If I Only Had a Symbolic Ceremony?
If you opted for a symbolic wedding in the Dominican Republic, your marriage is not legally valid unless it was followed by a legal civil marriage either abroad or in your home country. You can still celebrate romantically and take care of the paperwork at home — many couples prefer this for simplicity.
Why Legalization Matters
Having a legally recognized marriage allows you to:
Change your marital status on tax, health, and insurance documents
Sponsor your spouse for immigration purposes
Access spousal benefits or pensions
Officially change your last name (if applicable)
Avoid legal issues around inheritance, medical access, or custody
People Also Ask
Is a marriage in the Dominican Republic valid in the U.S. or Canada? Yes, as long as the marriage is civilly registered and the certificate is apostilled and translated.
What is an apostille and why do I need it? An apostille authenticates legal documents for use in other countries that are members of the Hague Convention.
Do I need to register my Dominican marriage in my country? Usually not. Most countries simply require you to present your apostilled and translated marriage certificate when needed.
Can I get married legally at a beach resort? Yes, but only if the ceremony is conducted by a civil official and properly registered.
How long does it take to receive the marriage certificate? Typically 1 to 2 weeks after the ceremony, plus time for apostille and translation.
