Legalities Regarding Destination Weddings

Different Lands, Different Laws

A destination wedding is so romantic that it may be easy to forget the important legalities. Every destination has different laws governing "tying the knot". Find out the legalities of getting married early in the process, so that your wedding day can be a happy, joyous event.

Documentation that you will most probably need includes: proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate will probably do) and a valid picture ID such as a driver's license. If one of you has been divorced, a copy of divorce papers will be needed. If a previous spouse is deceased, you will need a copy of the death certificate.
Different locales also have varying requirements for waiting periods. Couples definitely should make sure that their application will be entered in time to comply with all of the local rules and that they have established any necessary residency requirements.

Your officiant at the destination should be able to guide you about the laws of the land, what documentation you will need, and any applicable waiting periods. It wouldn't hurt to double check the information with the civil government of the destination. Contact the city hall, as well as the American Embassy, (if abroad) and verify the information. This should be done as soon as you have selected a destination, as well as verified close to the wedding date, to make sure that that laws have not changed.

You should also double check to make sure that the United States will recognize your marriage as legal. They usually will, but you should double check. If there is any question, you can always have a civil ceremony before departing for the destination.

If you are uncomfortable with concerns about the legality of marriage at the destination, consider getting married at your local city hall before traveling, making the destination wedding ceremony a beautiful renewal of vows. The wedding will still be beautiful and enchanting for the, guests, as well as for the bride and groom.

There are varying laws is different locales in regards to waiting periods. Following are some different waiting periods.

Las Vegas: No waiting period