Getting Married in Belize
Getting Married in Belize.
Destination Wedding are popular for many reasons and Belize is an ideal country with its lush jungle and sandy beaches. While one can get legally married in Belize, it may be worth considering doing the legal paperwork in your home country and just have a wedding ceremony in Belize. However, most people don’t mind the small amount of papers and fees. Belize follows British Common Law, so your marriage is recognized by other countries.
You can do this paperwork yourself, or hire a wedding planner to take care of it for you. Wedding planners have a vast range of pricing and it is more expensive to go through a resort than direct with a wedding planner. All beaches are public. Peers are public until 6pm.
Express Marriage License Requirements:
This option has no residency requirement, meaning you can arrive in country and go get married. Both parties must be in the country the same day as applying for the marriage license. A marriage license can be obtained in Belize City from the General Registry’s Office, Supreme Court Building. If the couple is in Belize less than 72 hours than special license is required and costs about $250US/$500BZ.
Forms must be completed and signed in the presence of a Justice of the Peach or Registrar General, along with completed application for, each person will be required to show proof (passport) and proof of marital status.
Marriage Licenses can be gotten at the Registrar General’s Office in Belize City or the Attorney General’s Ministry in Belmopan. For couples who have been in Belize for at least three days or more, the fee is $100US/$200BZ. Provide valid passport with date of entry stamp, Proof of Citizenship, a passport, and birth certificate are required.
Other requirements: Wedding must be performed by a Senior Justice of the Peach who has authority to marry people, a Magistrate of a registered church, and two witnesses must be present at the ceremony. The marriage must be registered at the Vital Static Unit within one year.
Register General’s Office in Belize City: 501-2277377
Attorney General’s Ministry in Belmopan: 501-822-2504
Fun Things to Keep in Mind for your Wedding:
Beach or Jungle?
Remember, it’s hot in Belize. You may want to forgo the long dress with heavy fabric and wear something shorter, and more suitable for Belize’s humidity. Instead of tuxes, consider the linen Gerbera shirts of the Caribbean. Shoes are optional. Brides may want some “barefoot sandals” as walking in shoes is tough enough in the sand, and certainty heels may not make sense on the beach.
Embrace the colorful tropical flowers for bouquets and cake decorations as fondant does not do well in the heat.
While sunset is a popular time, know that the sun goes down and it’s dark at 6pm. Maybe consider a sunrise or even moon rise wedding as the wedding party may appreciate the cooler weather.
Most of all, have fun!
