What are the Requirements to Get Married in the Dominican Republic?

It’s easy to see why the Dominican Republic is consistently at the top of the list of most-visited Caribbean countries. The clear water and white sand beach environment is a romantic getaway for couples looking to tie the knot in paradise at a Dominican Republic wedding.

As well, everything you and your guests could want will be covered with all-inclusive resorts and wedding packages in stunning locations like Puerto Plata, Cap Cana, Santo Domingo, La Romana, and so many more.

While the end result can be picturesque, the ideal Dominican Republic destination wedding requires some forethought. Whether you’re planning a symbolic wedding or a formal ceremony, you’ll want to approach the process carefully. Let’s take a look at some of the Dominican Republic’s legal criteria for getting married:

TL;DR Summary

Getting married in the Dominican Republic is simple once you understand the legal steps. You’ll need translated, legalized documents, and a few days’ stay before the ceremony. Legal weddings are recognized internationally, while symbolic weddings offer a stress-free alternative with no paperwork required.

Quick facts:

• Legal weddings require notarized, translated, and legalized documents.
• Symbolic weddings are non-binding but identical in look and feel.
• Average legal costs range from $300–$1,200.
• Legal process: collect → legalize → translate → verify → marry → receive certificate.
• No residency requirement; stay at least 3 business days.

Ceremony Type	Legal Status	Processing Time	Cost Range	Recognition
Legal (Civil)	Legally binding	3–5 days	$300–$1,200	Recognized abroad
Symbolic	Non-binding	1 day	Free–$500	Not legally recognized
Religious	Varies	1–2 weeks	$400–$1,000	May require civil filing

Legal Requirements for a Dominican Republic Wedding

Why Choose the Dominican Republic for Your Wedding?

A destination wedding in the Dominican Republic offers turquoise beaches, lush resorts, and an effortless planning process. Whether you’re getting married in Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, or along the Samaná coast, this Caribbean paradise combines tropical beauty with accessible legal procedures.

Couples love how getting married in the Dominican Republic blends cultural warmth with world-class resorts. Many properties offer in-house wedding planners who handle paperwork, translations, and officiants, making it one of the easiest destination wedding locations for foreign couples.

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Legal vs Symbolic Weddings — What’s the Difference?

Before diving into the paperwork, decide whether you want a legal or symbolic wedding in the Dominican Republic.

Aspect	Legal Wedding	Symbolic Wedding
Recognition	Legal worldwide	Non-binding
Documents	Required (translated, legalized)	None
Language	Conducted in Spanish	Flexible
Ceremony	Performed by civil judge	Officiated by celebrant
Cost	Higher (due to fees)	Lower
Flexibility	Requires prep	Immediate

A civil wedding in the Dominican Republic follows national marriage laws, requiring a civil judge and official documentation. A symbolic ceremony, however, is perfect for couples wanting the same experience without legalities — ideal for those who prefer to handle paperwork back home.

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Legal Requirements to Get Married in the Dominican Republic

Understanding Dominican Republic marriage requirements ensures a smooth ceremony.

Documents Required:

• Valid passports (minimum 6 months validity)
• Original birth certificates (long form)
• Single Status Affidavit (Dominican Republic marriage affidavit, notarized and legalized)
• Divorce decree or Dominican Republic divorce certificate requirement (if applicable)
• Death certificate (if widowed)
• Name change documentation (if applicable)
• Passport copies of two witnesses
• Dominican Republic marriage witness requirements: Two adults with valid IDs must attend.

Additional Requirements:

• All documents must meet marriage translation requirements by an official translator.
• Documents must be legalized with an Apostille from your home country.
• Send translated documents to your resort or planner 2–3 weeks before the ceremony.
• The civil ceremony must be conducted in Spanish by a Dominican Republic civil judge.

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Step-by-Step Legal Wedding Process

Follow this Dominican Republic marriage process to ensure legal recognition:

1. Collect documents in your home country.
2. Get them notarized and apostilled.
3. Translate all documents into Spanish via certified translator.
4. Submit copies to your resort or planner at least 2–4 weeks ahead.
5. Arrive at least 3 business days before the wedding (the Dominican Republic residency requirement for marriage).
6. Civil ceremony performed by a Dominican Republic wedding officiant (judge or government official).
7. Receive your Dominican Republic marriage certificate in Spanish after the ceremony.
8. Legalize and translate the certificate for recognition in your home country.

A marriage license in the Dominican Republic is issued by the Civil Registry (Oficialía del Estado Civil) after verifying all documents.

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Legalization and Recognition Abroad

Legal marriages in the Dominican Republic are valid worldwide once they’re legalized.

• Your Dominican Republic marriage certificate is issued in Spanish.
• To use it abroad, you’ll need an apostille marriage certificate Dominican Republic stamp.
• Once translated and apostilled, your marriage is recognized in the U.S., Canada, and most countries.
• This process follows the Dominican Republic marriage recognition USA and marriage certificate recognized in the U.S. standards.

Pro Tip: Use a resort wedding planner familiar with Dominican Republic consulate marriage legalization procedures to simplify the process.

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Cost of Getting Married in the Dominican Republic

The cost of getting married in the Dominican Republic varies based on paperwork, officiant fees, and venue.

Typical Breakdown:

• Civil ceremony fees: $200–$400
• Document translations: $40–$100 per document
• Apostille/legalization: $10–$50 per document
• Registry fees: $200–$400
• Resort or planner service: $500–$1,500+
• Symbolic weddings: often included in destination packages

Dominican Republic wedding cost averages $300–$1,200 for legal documentation.

💡 Budget Tip: Bundle translation and notary services through your resort or Dominican Republic wedding planner to save up to 30%.

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Requirements for Foreigners and Non-Residents

The Dominican Republic wedding requirements for foreigners are straightforward:

• Residency: None required — just a 3-day minimum stay (Dominican Republic wedding residency period).
• Affidavit of Single Status: Must be notarized and legalized.
• Documents: Must be translated into Spanish.
• Same-Sex Marriages: Not legally recognized in the Dominican Republic, though symbolic ceremonies are welcome and popular.
• Marriage registration Dominican Republic: Completed within 1–3 business days after your ceremony (Dominican Republic marriage registration time).

If marrying a Dominican citizen, you may need to show a residency card and local affidavit confirming your relationship.

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Civil, Religious, and Symbolic Ceremony Options

You can choose from several ceremony styles when getting married in the Dominican Republic:

Type	Performed By	Legal Recognition	Notes
Civil Wedding Dominican Republic	Civil judge	Legal	Conducted in Spanish; recognized abroad
Religious Wedding Dominican Republic	Priest or pastor	Legal only with civil filing	Church pre-approval required
Symbolic Ceremony Dominican Republic	Officiant or celebrant	Non-legal	Perfect for stress-free destination weddings

Many destination weddings in Punta Cana or La Romana combine a symbolic ceremony with a honeymoon stay, simplifying logistics while keeping the magic.

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Dominican Republic Marriage Laws & Restrictions

Before finalizing your plans, review these Dominican Republic marriage laws and legal notes:

• Minimum Age: 18 (16 with parental consent).
• Waiting Period: 10 months for divorced women (Dominican Republic waiting period for marriage).
• Language: All civil ceremonies are conducted in Spanish.
• Prohibited: Bigamy, proxy marriages, or marriages without valid ID.
• Same-Sex Marriage: Not legally recognized (symbolic only).
• Dominican Republic Civil Registry: All legal marriages must be filed here.

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Regional Variations: Punta Cana & Santo Domingo

Punta Cana Marriage Requirements

• Same Dominican Republic marriage requirements for foreigners apply.
• Handled through local Civil Registry offices.
• Resorts often provide full coordination for getting married in Punta Cana.

Santo Domingo Marriage Requirements

• Managed through the city’s main Civil Registry office.
• Slightly longer document verification timelines (3–5 business days).

Additional Requirements

Please note that because the Dominican Republic has joined the La Hague Convention, your official documents must be apostilled by your Secretary of State Office.

Except for passports, all documents must be translated and authorized by the Dominican Consulate prior to arrival in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Consulate should legalize the documents no later than three months before the wedding date.

It is the obligation of the couple to have all of the necessary paperwork in order before your Dominican Republic wedding.

Things to Consider

The Judge is a provided by the Dominican government outside service. The Judge will properly file your wedding certificate with the Central Civil Board. They will then authorize it with the Dominican Republic’s Foreign Affairs Department.

Because most on-site Civil Ceremonies are held in Spanish, you will receive your marriage certificate in Spanish. Therefore, you will likely need to have the certificate translated and legalized into English after your Dominican Republic wedding.

Symbolic Ceremonies for a Dominican Republic Wedding

While legally tying the knot does eliminate an extra US courthouse visit, symbolic ceremonies can be much easier logistically.

For those unaware, a Symbolic Ceremony is something known as a ‘commitment service.’ It’s a ceremony that allows couples to honor their relationship and express their personalities and styles.

From the decor, the ceremony, and every other detail, a symbolic ceremony is a testament to the specific couple’s taste and love.

The most important thing to know about symbolic ceremonies are their lack of legality. They have no binding, legal power.

For every Dominican Republic symbolic ceremony:

• No paperwork is required.
• The wedding planner or a designated member of the wedding department will officiate. (You can however, bring your own Minister or pay for the service of one locally)

FAQs — Getting Married in the Dominican Republic

What documents are required to get married in the Dominican Republic?
You’ll need passports, birth certificates, a notarized affidavit of single status, and translations of all documents.

Do you need to be a resident to marry there?
No, only a 3-day stay is required before the ceremony.

How much does it cost to get married legally?
Expect $300–$1,200 total for documentation and legal fees.

Can foreigners get married in the Dominican Republic?
Yes — foreigners getting married in the Dominican Republic just need legalized, translated paperwork.

Are same-sex marriages legal in the DR?
No, but symbolic ceremonies are widely accepted and celebrated.

Do I need to translate my documents into Spanish?
Yes, all foreign documents must meet marriage translation requirements.

Is my Dominican Republic marriage recognized in the U.S. or Canada?
Yes, once your Dominican Republic marriage certificate is translated and apostilled.

What’s the difference between a civil and symbolic ceremony?
Civil = legal and binding. Symbolic = emotional and ceremonial only.

Who performs legal weddings in the DR?
A Dominican Republic civil judge or government officiant.

How long does it take to get a marriage certificate?
You’ll receive it within 1–3 business days after registration.

Can you have a Catholic wedding in the Dominican Republic?
Yes, but religious weddings still require a civil registration to be legally recognized.

Now that you know the specifics, are you ready for your Dominican Republic wedding?

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