Montserrat

Planning a destination wedding to Montserrat? Montserrat remains the emerald jewel of the Caribbean, embracing you, the visitor, who are welcome to enjoy the simple pleasures of life in an environment of unspoiled beauty.

Many of the islands inhabitants hail from Ireland so the very best time of year to visit is during St. Patrick's Day. A week long celebration marks the patron saint of Ireland, and on this day in 1768, there was a uprising of the slaves. Events include festive African meals, calypso competitions and the hoisting of a few pints of Guinness on the "other" Emerald Isle.

Marriage License Requirements - Montserrat

Montserrat Marriage License Laws:

• For persons wishing to marry in Montserrat, there are three certificates which can be granted before the marriage can be performed:
  * the special or Governor's Licence,
  * certificates of due publication of banns and
  * the Registrar General's certificate.
• Other requirements follow:
  * A minimum stay of three working days in Montserrat is required to obtain a special or Governor's Marriage Licence. However, banns must be published for three Sundays before the certificate is issued, and for the Registrar's certificate;
  * a notice has to be posted for twenty-one days. Apply for the special Governor's licence to the Department of Administration.
• Applicants must have the following documents:
  Marriage Application Form
  Passports of both parties,
  Original Absolute Divorce Decree (if divorced),
  Original Death Certificate of deceased spouse (if widowed),
  Non-Marriage Certificate (if applicable).
  
• The Application Form
  1. The Application Form is obtainable in Montserrat but may be sent to the applicant in advance. The form must be certified before submission..
  2. Applications must state when they wish to be married, the type of ceremony, i.e. religious or civil, and the venue, if they choose a civil ceremony (i.e. performed by the Registrar).
  3. If the couple should choose to be married in a civil ceremony, the Registrar will perform the ceremony. Enquiries can be made at the Registrar's Office, Government Headquarters, Brades, Montserrat.

Montserrat Marriage License Fee:

The cost of the licence is EC$ 200.00, which must be paid in Montserrat stamps.

Identification Needed for a Montserrat Marriage License:

• These must all be ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS and must be presented when the application form is submitted.
• All applicants under the age of eighteen years would need written parental consent for the marriage to take place.
• Any documents presented in any language apart from English must be presented with a certified translation into the English language.
• Processing of the application takes approximately three working days to one week.

Good to know....

• A Marriage may be performed by the Registrar-General between the hours of ten in the morning and three in the afternoon.
• The Registrar or the Marriage Officer will decide whether an interpreter is necessary.
• The couple will then be issued with a duplicate copy of the registration. The official certificate can be obtained from the Registrar's Office within one week of the ceremony.
• A copy of the signed registration of marriage is given to the couple after the ceremony, but the official marriage certificate must be obtained at the Registry at a fee of $20.00, in Montserrat stamps. Please ensure that you get your certificate before leaving the island.

Although this information is deemed to be correct - we recommend you should always confirm the marriage requirements of the country you are visiting before leaving on your trip.