Getting married in Jamaica
One of the easiest legal options — just 24 hours in-country, no blood test, and no apostille for English documents.
Verified June 18, 2026. General planning guidance, not legal advice — rules change and vary by region and circumstance. Confirm with the official source below and your venue or travel advisor before booking.
Required documents
- Valid passports
- Certified birth certificates including the father's name
- Parental consent if under 18
- Certified final divorce decree (Decree Absolute) if divorced
- Prior spouse's death certificate if widowed
Residency requirement
24 hours. Couples must be in Jamaica at least 24 hours before the ceremony, with the license application filed ~2 weeks ahead.
Blood test
Not required.
Apostille & translation
English-language US documents need no translation and generally no apostille. Only non-English documents require certified translation.
Estimated fees (USD)
~$40–$300+. The Minister's Marriage Licence is under ~US$40; officiant and certificate fees are separate. Bundled 'legal marriage' packages commonly US$200–$400.
Processing time
License often issued same-day to ~48 hours when filed in advance (valid 90 days). The official certificate comes afterward from the Registrar General (now NIRA), typically ~6–8 weeks.
Legal ceremony or symbolic?
Many couples genuinely marry legally in Jamaica because it's easy. Some still choose symbolic-in-country + legal-at-home to skip the ~6–8 week wait for the official certificate.
Source: Jamaica Wedding Requirements — Visit Jamaica
Last verified June 18, 2026 · we re-check quarterly
Note: Exact USD totals vary (government fees quoted in JMD); certificate turnaround is an estimate.