Wedding Abroad Rules

Can you legally get married abroad?

Marriage rules for visiting couples in 34 destination-wedding spots: residency waits, documents, same-sex status and fees, checked against official sources on 2026-10-21.

Not legal advice. Marriage rules change and local offices interpret them differently. Confirm every requirement with the civil registry or embassy before you book or pay. Disclaimer
Destination ↕Legal for visitors ↕Wait / residency ↕Same-sex ↕Gov. fee ↕Official facts ↕Last checked ↕
MexicoYesNo residency; allow ~20 business days (Playa del Carmen)Legal marriageMXN 7,625 (Playa del Carmen)8/102026-10-21
JamaicaYes24 hours in countryNot availableJ$4,000 licence stamp8/102026-10-21
Dominican RepublicYesNo residency; banns published firstNot availableRD$20,0008/102026-10-21
Costa RicaYesNo residency found; edict in La GacetaNot confirmedNot confirmed5/102026-10-21
The BahamasYes24 hours in country before applyingNot confirmedBS$1005/102026-10-21
Saint LuciaYesNone stated (entry stamp needed)Not confirmedEC$500 (EC$700 urgent)4/102026-10-21
Antigua & BarbudaYesNone, no waiting time*Not confirmedUS$150 + US$40*0/102026-10-21
ArubaYesNot confirmedLegal marriageNot confirmed5/102026-10-21
BarbadosYesNone stated (entry proof needed)Not confirmedBDS$200 + $25 stamp5/102026-10-21
Turks & CaicosYes48 hours in country before applyingNot availableUS$1506/102026-10-21
BelizeYes3 days in country before applyingNot confirmedUS$100 + US$56/102026-10-21
US Virgin IslandsYes8-day public postingNot confirmedUS$2007/102026-10-21
Puerto RicoYesNone; 10-day medical windowNot confirmedUS$30 + lab tests7/102026-10-21
Hawaii (US)YesNoneNot confirmedUS$656/102026-10-21
Las Vegas (US)YesNoneNot confirmedUS$1027/102026-10-21
ItalyYesNone; banns waived or 1-7 daysCivil union / partnershipHall EUR 500-9,2007/102026-10-21
FranceRestricted1 month residence in the townNot confirmedNot confirmed3/102026-10-21
GreeceYesNone; licence ~8 days after applyingLegal marriageUS$50 affidavit + EUR 308/102026-10-21
SpainRestrictedMust reside in the districtLegal marriageNot confirmed6/102026-10-21
PortugalYesNone; 4+ weeks processingNot confirmedNot confirmed7/102026-10-21
IrelandYes3 months' noticeNot confirmedEUR 2007/102026-10-21
Scotland / UKRestrictedMarriage Visitor visa + 29 days' noticeNot confirmedGBP 135 visa + notice fees2/102026-10-21
IcelandYesNone found; documents in advanceNot confirmedISK 6,7005/102026-10-21
CyprusYes15 days, or 3 with special licenceCivil union / partnershipNot confirmed6/102026-10-21
CroatiaYesDocuments 30 days beforeNot confirmedEUR 27.877/102026-10-21
DenmarkYesNone; certificate applied for in advanceLegal marriageDKK 2,1006/102026-10-21
GibraltarYes1 night's stayCivil union / partnershipGBP 124 + GBP 186.507/102026-10-21
ThailandYesSeveral days of paperworkLegal marriageUS$50 affidavit8/102026-10-21
Bali (Indonesia)RestrictedNot confirmedNot confirmedNot confirmed5/102026-10-21
FijiYesApply 3 working days beforeNot confirmedFJD 15-50*5/102026-10-21
MaldivesSymbolic onlyn/a (symbolic only)Not availablen/a8/102026-10-21
MauritiusYesApply 1 month beforeNot confirmedFree (Rs 5,000 at a hotel)6/102026-10-21
SeychellesYes11 days' banns, or special licenceNot availableSCR 3,0007/102026-10-21
Canada (Ontario)YesNone (licence valid 3 months)Not confirmedVaries (Toronto CAD 180*)3/102026-10-21

29 allow a legal ceremony for visitors, 4 are restricted and 1 is symbolic only. "No long residency wait" = you can marry within about 3 days of arriving (paperwork may still be needed in advance). "Same-sex: Not confirmed" means we could not confirm it on an official page, not that it is unavailable. * = from a snippet or a tourism-authority page, not read directly on a government page. Fees are government fees only.

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Five things couples get wrong

Watch for "legal wedding" packages that aren't

Resorts often sell a beach or garden ceremony that is symbolic only. The legal marriage is a separate civil act with its own paperwork, and sometimes blood tests and witnesses. Ask your planner in writing: who registers the marriage, and which government certificate will we receive? Each destination page lists the pitfalls we found.

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