Table of Content
- Why choose Punta Cana as your wedding destination?
- Wedding options in Punta Cana
- What Legal Documents are required to get married in Punta Cana?
- Is my Dominican marriage certificate legal in other countries?
- How much does it cost to get legally married in Punta Cana?
- How do I organize everything?
Organizing a wedding can be a very busy time, add to this that your wedding is in another destination, with different languages and laws can seem tad bit overwhelming. However, your dream of a perfect wedding amongst tropical palms, and with the sun guaranteed for your big day, is not as difficult as you might think. This handy guide will give you a head start on planning your Punta Cana Wedding:
Why choose Punta Cana as your wedding destination?
Miles of white sand beaches, turquoise oceans, a comfortable average temperature of 79 degrees (26 degrees centigrade), and as the locals say, only two seasons of spring and summer, are just some of the reasons why Punta Cana is one of the most popular wedding destinations. Add to this the notoriously happy people here who just love to organize special events and will go the extra mile to make your special day perfect, and an incredible number of amazing locations to choose from, Punta Cana really has it all for Brides and Grooms to be.
There are a number of options for your Punta Cana Wedding that you can choose depending on what suits you or the planning time you have:
Symbolic Wedding
Many people choose to have the legal ceremony in their home country, and the actual wedding party in Punta Cana. This is also the only option available to same sex couples who want to get married in Punta Cana. A symbolic ceremony will be performed and the reception and traditional celebration is at destination. Although no legal documents are required, and no legal wedding certificate will be issued, in every other way it is a traditional wedding.
Civil Marriage
Everything that a symbolic wedding provides but with the ceremony officially performed by a Civil Registry Officer. This can be at the Civil Registry Office or another location. You will be required to provide legal documents and both of you must be in the country three business days before the wedding. You will receive a Marriage Certificate and your marriage will be officially registered in the appropriate civil registries.
Canonical Marriage
The official state religion of the Dominican Republic is Roman Catholicism. The ceremony will be performed by a Roman Catholic priest in Spanish, and the Roman Catholic Church will legally register the marriage on your behalf. Ceremonies performed by other religious denominations are permitted in Punta Cana, with Jewish weddings in Punta Cana extremely popular and performed by a local Rabbi. For Jewish and all other denominations, after the ceremony you will both need to present yourselves to the registrar’s office to legalize the marriage.
Contact for Catholic Ceremonies HERE
Contact for Jewish Ceremonies HERE
Important Note: Diplomatic and Consular offices do not have the authority to perform marriages.
What Legal Documents are required to get married in Punta Cana?
All of the following documents (except passports) must be translated to Spanish and legalized:
- Photocopy of the passports of the Bride, Groom and of the required two Witnesses
- Birth Certificate of Bride and Groom or certified copy of Birth Certificate
- Sworn declaration of being single and eligible to marry, legalized or before a notary public
- Divorce Certificate or Death Certificate for widowers (if applicable)
Important Note: there are additional Roman Catholic Church requirements for a Church Wedding, other denominations may also have their own requirements
For requirements (in Spanish) please click HERE
Is my Dominican marriage certificate legal in other countries?
Yes, you will receive your Marriage Certificate in Spanish, as this is the officially recognized language of the Dominican Republic. Your home country will require you to have the document translated by an official translator and legalized and/or apostilled.
How much does it cost to get legally married in Punta Cana?
Your budget for the big day can vary according to your requirements, please remember to consider the following legal costs, which are in Dominican Pesos:
At the Civil Registry Office:
- Nonresident foreigner Bride and Groom: RD$20,000
- One nonresident foreigner: RD$10,000
- Resident Foreigner Bride and Groom: RD$5,000
Outside of the Civil Registry Office:
- Nonresident foreigner Bride and Groom: RD$20,000
- One nonresident foreigner: RD$15,000
- Resident Foreigner Bride and Groom: RD$12,000
To convert these fees to your home currency, please click HERE
Punta Cana is well prepared to assist you in planning your wedding. Many people choose to have their wedding at a hotel, who will provide their specialized wedding services to you to make sure that everything goes to plan. However, there are also many professional freelance wedding planners available who are experienced in organizing everything with you, to ensure that the wedding of your dreams in Punta Cana goes perfectly.