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Getting married in Antigua & Barbuda: legal requirements for visiting couples

Antigua and Barbuda · last checked 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
Legal for visitors?Yes
Wait / residencyNone, no waiting time*
Government feeUS$150 + US$40*
Same-sexNot confirmed

0 of 10 facts read on an official page; 4 not confirmed. Badges show the source level of each fact.

Where couples get confused

Antigua is one of the few islands with zero waiting time for visitors.

The rules

Legal ceremony for visitorsSnippet / semi-official
yes
Special (non-resident) licence from the Ministry of Legal Affairs after an interview; then register at Registrar General.
Residency or waiting timeSnippet / semi-official
None for the special licence; no waiting time (tourism authority).
Required documentsSnippet / semi-official
Valid passports; single declaration signed in Antigua, or Decree Absolute, or marriage + death certificate if widowed; both present; 18+.
Apostille / translationNot confirmed
Not confirmed, check with the registry or embassy
Blood or medical testNot confirmed
Not confirmed, check with the registry or embassy
WitnessesNot confirmed
Not confirmed, check with the registry or embassy
Who officiatesSnippet / semi-official
Marriage Officer
Same-sex couplesNot confirmed
Not confirmed, check with the registry or embassy
Recognized in the US, Canada, UKSnippet / semi-official
US: generally valid if valid where performed; confirm with your state Attorney General (State Dept). Canada: usually valid if legal where performed, no need to register (travel.gc.ca). UK: no general statement found on gov.uk - unverified.
Government feeSnippet / semi-official
Special licence US$150 (EC$405) + registration US$40 + certificate US$10 + marriage officer US$250 outside courthouse (Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority, semi-official).

⚠ Pitfalls and scams to watch

Fees published by the tourism authority, not a ministry page - confirm with the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

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Sources

Quotes copied from official pages on 2026-10-21. Items marked as a snippet were seen in search results because the page blocked our checker.

All sources consulted

Last checked 2026-10-21. Spot something out of date? Email hello@weddingabroadrules.com.

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