Is it Legal to Get Married in Punta Cana?

Getting married in the Dominican Republic is a dream come true for many couples. Punta Cana is known for its beautiful beaches and spectacular scenery. This tropical paradise offers a wide range of all-inclusive destination wedding locations with a natural setting and facilities, guaranteeing your once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, it’s crucial to think about what you’ll need to do to get married in Punta Cana. It is vital to plan ahead in order for things to go smoothly.

TL;DR: Is It Legal to Get Married in Punta Cana?

Yes — you can legally get married in Punta Cana, but it requires document translation, notarization, and Dominican government certification. Because of the paperwork and timelines involved, many couples choose to host a symbolic wedding ceremony in Punta Cana and complete the legal marriage process at home.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Ceremony Type	Legality	Requirements	Avg. Cost
Civil (Legal)	✅ Legally binding	Translated & notarized documents	$400–$700 (paperwork)
Religious	❌ Not legally binding alone	Church approval	Varies
Symbolic	❌ Not legal by itself	None	Free–$200

Legal marriages performed correctly in the Dominican Republic are recognized internationally, including in the U.S.

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Legal Weddings in Punta Cana: What You Need to Know

A legal wedding in Punta Cana is performed as a civil ceremony by a Dominican civil judge. Once registered and authenticated, the marriage is legally valid worldwide.

Key facts couples should know:

• Foreigners are allowed to legally marry in the Dominican Republic
• Legal marriages are recognized internationally once documentation is legalized
• Document preparation takes 2–3 months
• Translation and notarization are required for most documents

Because of these steps, legal weddings in Punta Cana require advanced planning, attention to detail, and additional costs beyond the wedding package itself.

Related: Punta Cana Wedding Packages Under $5,000

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Required Documents for a Civil Marriage in Punta Cana

To legally marry in Punta Cana, couples must submit the following documents to the Dominican civil registry:

Document	Requirement	Notes
Passport	Valid + photocopy	Include entry stamp page
Birth Certificate	Original + Spanish translation	Certified by Dominican Consulate
Affidavit of Single Status	Notarized + apostilled	Required for both parties
Divorce / Death Certificate	If applicable	Translated + legalized
Witness Passports	Two non-family witnesses	Must show valid ID
Application Fee	$300–$500	Paid locally

⚠️ Missing or improperly translated documents can delay or invalidate the marriage process.

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Religious Ceremonies in the Dominican Republic

Religious weddings — including Catholic ceremonies — are not legally binding on their own in the Dominican Republic.

Important notes:

• A civil marriage must take place first for legal recognition
• Catholic weddings require written approval from your local archdiocese
• Church timelines can extend planning by several months

Many couples choose to host a religious or spiritual ceremony symbolically in Punta Cana after completing a legal marriage elsewhere.

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Symbolic Ceremonies in Punta Cana

A symbolic wedding ceremony is the most popular option for destination weddings in Punta Cana — and for good reason.

Why couples choose symbolic ceremonies:

• No residency requirement
• No document translation or notarization
• Faster approval timelines
• Lower costs
• Identical look and experience to legal weddings

Symbolic ceremonies still include:

• Professional officiant
• Personalized vows
• Full décor and venue setup

Many couples legally marry at home and celebrate symbolically in Punta Cana for the best balance of simplicity and experience.

Deep dive: Symbolic vs. Legal Wedding Ceremonies

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How to Legalize Your Marriage for the U.S.

If you choose a legal wedding in Punta Cana, here’s how to ensure it’s recognized in the United States:

Step	Action	Where
1	Request certified marriage certificate	Dominican Civil Registry
2	Legalize certificate	Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs
3	Translate to English	Certified translator
4	Submit documentation	U.S. Embassy or home state

Once these steps are completed, the marriage can be used for:

• Name changes
• Tax filing
• Insurance
• Immigration or visa purposes

How to Legally Get Married in Punta Cana

One of the most challenging aspects of getting married in the Dominican Republic is obtaining a marriage license. Before a marriage can be considered legitimate in Punta Cana, a number of documents are required. Because every document must be notarized, translated into Spanish, and certified, couples should begin this procedure a few months before the wedding. Religious and civil marriages are the two forms of weddings. The primary distinction is that religious marriages are not recognized while legal marriages are. Your Destination Wedding Specialist can help you with this to guarantee that everything goes smoothly.

For a civil ceremony, the following documents are required:

• Original passport with photocopy of the id page, and the last entries to the country
• Affidavits of marital status, certifying that the bride and groom are single
• Original birth certificates
• Divorce Certificate(s) or Death Certificate(s), if applicable
• Two or more witnesses with valid passports, other than family members

The fundamental prerequisite for a religious ceremony is to obtain permission from an archbishop in the couple’s country of residency, which must be delivered to the local Dominican archdiocese. The following documents are required:

• Pre-matrimonial Certificate
• Affidavits of Marital Status
• The couples Birth Certificates
• Certificate of Civil Marriage legalized by the Dominican Consulate, if the couple has already married in their country
• Baptism Certificates
• Certificates of Confirmation
• Church Annulment Certificate(s), if applicable

Because getting married legally in the Dominican Republic can be complicated, the majority of destination wedding couples opt for a symbolic ceremony and then legalize their marriage in the United States either before or after their trip. Consider the advantages and disadvantages before deciding which option is best for you!

Symbolic Ceremonies in Punta Cana

Remember, you don’t have to host a legal ceremony to enjoy a Punta Cana destination wedding. Every Punta Cana wedding resort offers symbolic ceremonies. Complete with all of the same luxury perks and oceanfront venues, these hassle-free matrimonies are included in virtually every Punta Cana wedding package.

FAQs: Legal & Symbolic Weddings in Punta Cana

1. Is it legal to get married in Punta Cana as a foreigner?
Yes, foreigners can legally marry with proper documentation.

2. What documents are required to get married in the Dominican Republic?
Passports, birth certificates, affidavits of single status, and translations.

3. Are Dominican Republic marriages recognized in the U.S.?
Yes, once authenticated and translated.

4. How much does it cost to get married legally in Punta Cana?
Typically $400–$700 in paperwork fees, plus wedding costs.

5. How long does it take to receive a marriage certificate?
Several weeks to a few months, depending on processing.

6. Can I have a symbolic wedding instead?
Yes — most couples choose this option.

7. Is a Catholic wedding legal in the Dominican Republic?
Not unless paired with a civil marriage.

8. Do I need to live in the Dominican Republic before marrying?
No residency requirement exists.

9. Can same-sex couples legally marry in the Dominican Republic?
No — same-sex marriage is not legally recognized; symbolic ceremonies are available.

10. Who handles translation and legalization?
Your resort or a destination wedding planner can assist.

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Final Thoughts: Should You Get Married Legally in Punta Cana?

You can legally get married in Punta Cana — but for many couples, a symbolic ceremony offers the same beauty with far less stress. Legal weddings are best for couples comfortable navigating documentation and timelines, while symbolic weddings provide freedom, flexibility, and peace of mind.