MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS Level Five, General Post Office Building, Cheapside, Bridgetown, Barbados. Telephone: (246) 228 8950 Fax: (246) 437 3794 Email: wgittens@mha.gov.bb In order to obtain a marriage licence please find enclosed herewith information regarding the same as listed below. Applications for a Marriage Licence must be made by both parties in person at the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs Non nationals must present a valid passport and the original or certified copies of the applicants birth certificates, and (b). nationals must present original birth certificates with identification card or Valid Passport (c). If either party was married previously and widowed, a certified copy of the marriage and death certificate in respect of the deceased spouse; Page 1 Ministry of Home Affairs- Information on Getting Married in Barbados
(d). All documents not in English must be accompanied by a translation certified by an authorized Notary Public (Not a Justice of the Peace). The documents required if either party was divorced is as follows an original Decree Absolute or Final Judgment or certified copies of these documents. Importantly, the Decree Nisi will not be accepted. All documents not in English must be accompanied by a translation certified by an Authorized Notary Public (Not a Justice of the Peace). Persons who have been granted Barbadian Citizenship either by descent or registration, immigration status or permanent residence are required to produce the original document issued by the Immigration Department of Barbados or their Passport in which the relevant information has been stamped. Additional requirements as it relates to Non-Nationals who have been granted work Permits, Student Visas and Caricom skilled nationals must produce the passport or the relevant Page 2 Ministry of Home Affairs- Information on Getting Married in Barbados
document issued by the Immigration Department, not the application form or receipt. Work permit and student visas do not confer status and should be valid at the time of application. MARRIAGE OF MINORS Persons under age sixteen (16) years cannot be legally married in Barbados. For persons between the ages of sixteen (16) and eighteen (18) years, the consent of both parents must be obtained and both parents must be present at the time of application. Failing this, a Judge in Barbados, on application being made to him, may exercise his discretion to dispense with consent. Persons eighteen (18) years of age and older do not require parental consent. LICENCE FEES 1. if neither party is a citizen or resident of Barbados the fees are BDD.$200.00 cash and a BDD $25.00 stamp Page 3 Ministry of Home Affairs- Information on Getting Married in Barbados
2. if either party is a citizen or resident of Barbados the fees are BDD.$45.00 cash and a BDD $10.00 stamp PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS Arrangements should be made with a Marriage Officer (a Magistrate or a Minister of Religion authorized to be a Marriage Officer in Barbados) prior to the completion of an application form for the Marriage Licence. PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE A letter from the Marriage Officer who has consented to perform the marriage ceremony should be presented at the time of filing the application. Prior arrangements should be made for a non-resident Minister of Religion, who is requested to solemnize a marriage in Barbados. He or she may be appointed as a Temporary Marriage Officer in Barbados. Prior arrangements should be made to the Page 4 Ministry of Home Affairs- Information on Getting Married in Barbados
completion of an Application for a Temporary Marriage Officer as listed below: 1. ( Form A) 2. Ordination Certificate 3. A notarized copy of a letter from the Superintendent of your local church 4. A notarized copy of the Certificate of Incorporation, (Form of Certificate of Church Registration Charities Act, Cap. 243 from Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office Barbados. APPOINTMENT OF MINISTERS OF RELIGION AS MARRIAGE OFFICERS (Form A) Ordination Certificate A notarized copy of a letter from the Superintendent of your local church List of Members of their Church A notarized copy of the Certificate of Incorporation, (Form of Certificate of Church Registration Charities Act, Cap. 243 from Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office Barbados. Page 5 Ministry of Home Affairs- Information on Getting Married in Barbados
Information outlining this procedure can be obtained by contacting the Ministry of Home Affairs. A marriage may be solemnized immediately after the issue of the licence. MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS OFFICE HOURS Applications for marriage licences must be made between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday -Friday. Separate fees are payable in respect of civil marriage ceremonies as follows: Where at least one party is a citizen or permanent resident of, or immigrant of Barbados; CIVIL MARRIAGE (For nationals) Marriage Solemnized at the Court BDD. $100.00 Marriage Solemnized at an Alternative Venue BDD $125.00 Where neither party is a citizen or permanent resident of, or immigrant of Barbados; Marriage Solemnized at the Court BDD. $200.00 Page 6 Ministry of Home Affairs- Information on Getting Married in Barbados
Marriage Solemnized at Alternative Venue BDD. $350.00 MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE FEES If either party is a citizen or permanent resident or immigrant of Barbados the fee is BDD. $10.00. Where neither party is a citizen or permanent resident of, or immigrant of Barbados the fee is BDD. $20.00; These fees are payable upon application for a copy of the marriage certificate which can be obtained from the Registration Department. The Ministry of Home Affairs Office is kindly requesting that all persons conducting business with us should observe our dress code of modesty and decency. For example no Slippers, Swimwear or revealing clothing will be permitted. CIVIL CEREMONY PROCEDURE 1. Call the office of the desired magistrate to reserve desire wedding date. 2. Guests must appear in person at the relevant magistrate court and present valid passport or birth certificate forms of identification. 3. Guests will receive a signed letter from the clerk outlining the persons to be married as well as the Page 7 Ministry of Home Affairs- Information on Getting Married in Barbados
magistrate conducting the ceremony, location and time and date of said ceremony. 4. Guest must appear in person with both forms of identification at the marriage license office, Cheapside Bridgetown, St.Michael where they will receive their license and receipt. 5. License should then be delivered to the magistrate court s clerk prior to the wedding date, in order for the register to be complete. 6. Guests can then be married on property and register signed after ceremony. 7. Coordinator will then need to apply for the marriage certificate and the Government Registry in Bridgetown and collect subsequently. Registrar of the Supreme Court Registration Judicial Centre Whitepark Rd St.Michael, Bridgetown, Barbados Telephone Number (246) 426 3461; (246) 426 2405, 3104500 Fax Number 246 426 2405, Email address registrar@lawcourts.gov.bb OFFICE HOURS Monday to Friday, 8. 30 a.m. 3:45 p.m. In the event that you require a copy of a marriage certificate you should write the Registrar of the Supreme Court, The Judicial Centre Whitepark Rd St.Michael, Bridgetown, Barbados. Fax No. 246 426 2405, Email address registrar@lawcourts.gov.bb Page 8 Ministry of Home Affairs- Information on Getting Married in Barbados
Applicants must submit their names (husband s name and wife s name) and the Date and Place of the Marriage. Importantly British applicants can prepare money orders of nine pounds (9 pounds) and United States of America applicants can prepare international money U.S. $15.00. In addition, all International money orders must be made payable to the Registrar of the Supreme Court. I hope that the information provided is helpful. God bless William Gittens Administrative Officer II November 27, 2009 Page 9 Ministry of Home Affairs- Information on Getting Married in Barbados