|
GETTING
MARRIED IN SAINT LUCIA
|
Marriages
in Saint Lucia may be celebrated by licence of the Hon. Attorney General,
after the
publication of banns in the case of a religious marriage, or after
publication of Notice in the case of a civil marriage.
To obtain
a licence, one must apply to the Attorney General by Petition lodged
by a local solicitor at the Hon. Attorney General's Chambers. There
is a two-day (2 day) residency period. It takes two (2) business days
to process the application. ( It is possible to be married on the
fifth day after arriving in Saint Lucia if all documents are in order
and procedures followed).
Church weddings can be arranged in advance.
The Petition
must state:-
-
The Christian or other names and surnames of the parties, their
respective rank, profession or occupation;
-
The place where, and the name of the status officer who will solemnize
the marriage;
-
Whether either of the parties has been previously married, and
if so, whether there has been a divorce;
-
That they know of no impediment of kindred or alliance, or other
lawful cause to prevent the proposed marriage;
-
Where either of the parties, not being a widower or a widow, is
under the age of eighteen yars, that the consent of the person/persons
whose consent to the marriage is required, has been obtained.
The petition
is to be signed by both parties, and must be accompanied by an affidavit
of one of the parties verifying the facts mentioned in the petition,
immigration cards and birth certificates and/or passports, and where
applicable, divorce documents ( Decree Absolute) If either party has
changed his/her name, eg. by Deed Poll or otherwise, the relevant
documents MUST be produced. Only Original Documents or those certified
as a true copy of the original by an authorised official, are accepted.
Exhibits such as the Decrees Absolute, Birth, Marriage or death certificates,
passports. Deed Polls, must be originals or certified copies. Documents
in a foreign language, MUST be translated into English by a certified
translator.
For hotels
offering special wedding packages, visit the St.Lucia
Tourist Board website.
FEES:
Notarial fees & Marriage Licence: EC$402.50
Registrar's fee: EC$100.00
Marriage Certificate: EC$ 8:00
($1.00 US = EC$2.70 )