Getting married in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Easy and legal — the Governor General's Special Licence needs just 24 hours in-country, with no blood test and same-day issuance.
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 (foreign birth certificates are NOT accepted as ID)
- Original + copy of the final divorce decree if previously divorced
- Death certificate of any deceased former spouse if widowed
- Two witnesses on the day
- Return air tickets are commonly requested
Residency requirement
Governor General's Special Licence (the usual route): both parties in-country at least 24 hours before applying — cannot marry on arrival day. The cheaper Registrar's Licence requires 15 clear days.
Blood test
Not required.
Apostille & translation
Official pages require only certified translation of non-English documents, not an apostille — but since SVG joined the Hague Convention, apostilling US divorce/death certificates is recommended for reliable acceptance.
Estimated fees (USD)
Special Licence ~$194; civil ceremony by the Registrar ~$56. Typical legal cost ~$250–$300 before officiant/venue.
Processing time
Special Licence issued in one day (in-person applications can process within ~2 hours). Licences valid 3 months. Marriage registered with the High Court / Civil Registry.
Legal ceremony or symbolic?
A legally binding marriage is very achievable — the 24-hour Special Licence is among the shortest in the Caribbean, US-recognized once you get the apostilled certificate.
Source: Getting Married — Judiciary of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Last verified June 18, 2026 · we re-check quarterly
Note: USD figures are EC$-pegged conversions. Confirm the exact current total with the High Court Registry.