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Getting
Married
Marriage
Requirements
Civil marriages are now possible in Aruba, but they
must take place at the Civil Town House. Couples may
also arrange a religious blessing after they have been
legally married or just hold a romantic celebration
beachside if they prefer.
The following are the guidelines for the various ceremonies.
CIVIL Legal Requirements:
1. All Civil/Legal Ceremonies must take place in the
Civil Town House
2. Documents include:
A) Copies of birth certificate for bride and groom with
apostille (state certification).
B) Passport picture page or valid state issued picture
I.D. for Bride & Groom.
C) Witness (18 years up) passport picture page or valid
state issued picture I.D. (minimum 2 witnesses) Witnesses
can provided locally if bride and groom are traveling
alone at $50 each by a weddingplanner.
D) Certificate of no impediment for bride and groom
(also referred to as a "single status report"
and in some states called a "negative statement
of marriage"). This certificate of no impediment
is obtained at the bureau of vital statistics which
is located in the department of health.
E) If either party has been divorced we need to receive
a copy of the 1st and last page of the divorce decree(s).
F) If either party is a widow(er) we need to receive
a copy of the pertaining death certificate.
Ceremony can take place in the late morning or early
afternoon on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays.
Saturdays are also available in the late mornings at
an additional $150 surcharge.
3. All documents are to be faxed for review and then
submitted by courier (i.e. FedEx) at least one (1) month
prior to desired wedding date.
CATHOLIC
(Must call first as this is on hold until review of
procedures is complete):
- Proof
That the prospective bride and groom have attended
pre-marriage preparation.
- Permission
from their priest to get married in Aruba.
- An
official declaration stating that neither party
has been previously married in a Church is also
required from their local priest.
- Copy
of Wedding Certificate showing that they have been
legally married in their home country.
- Baptismal
and Confirmation certificates of both parties as
well as copies of their passports or I.D. Cards.
- The
proposed wedding must take place "inside"
the Church building.
- All
documents must be submitted 4 months prior to chosen
wedding date.
PROTESTANT
/ EPISCOPALIAN / METHODIST
- Wedding
Ceremony can be affiliated in the local Protestant
/ Episcopalian or Methodist Churches or anywhere
else the couple desires.
- If
Married outside Aruba, copy of marriage certificate
from their home country.
- Proper
attire is required for all "religious blessings"
( ie: No Swimsuits nor Wraps for the Bride: Shorts
are acceptable for the Groom.
JEWISH
- Both
partners MUST bet Jewish and need to submit a verification
of Judaism from the Rabbi of their hometown
- The
Aruban Cantor accepts Jewish status certificates
from valid Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Liberal
and Re-Constructionist Authorities.
- A
formal petition needs to be submitted to the Aruba
Jewish Community.
- The
wedding ceremony may take place either in the synagogue
or any other venue of choice.
- The
synagogue of Aruba is an independent Conservative-Reform
style congregation.
AT
SEA
A boat captain is not authorized to officiate a wedding
according to Dutch laws. This applies for international
waters as well as in port. The only exception to this
rule is if he has been given authority by the country
under whose flag the ship is registered.
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Aruba
At
A Glance
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Language:
Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch,
English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
Government: Parliamentary democracy. part of the
Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal
affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands
Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and
foreign affairs
Capital: Oranjestad
Size: 193 sq km
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea,
north of Venezuela
Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature
variation
Electricity: 110 Volts AC
Currency: Aruban Guilder/Florin
Driving:
Rentals: Plentiful, both international and local agencies
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