The British Virgin Islands is a perfect romantic setting, not only to exchange your vows in a romantic Caribbean setting, but also to enjoy a secluded honeymoon holiday in one of the Caribbean's most interesting cluster of islands. If you have never been married before, the only necessary paperwork required is your passports to begin the process.
If either or both of you have been previously married, an original copy of your divorce decree(s) (or spouse's death certificate) is necessary. If these decrees or certificates are not already in English, a certified translation in English is also required.
A three (3) business day residency requirement from the time your paperwork is filed is also mandated, which means that if you file your paperwork on a Monday, the earliest you may be married is on that Thursday.
There are then three easy steps ... They involve visiting three separate government offices in a country with no street addresses! It is necessary to pay the BVI government marriage tax. This is done by purchasing $110 in stamps. They actually have a $100 stamp & $10 stamp specifically for the marriage tax.
You will need your passports, the other paperwork mentioned above (ie. divorce decree) and the stamps. All these items are handed over to the Attorney General to be sent for the Governor's approval, and are returned to you on the day of your wedding (except the tax stamps of course). In addition, you will need two witnesses to sign at the time you are filling out the proper paperwork in the Attorney General's chambers. The paperwork takes about 10 minutes and at this time you will need to have decided on a location for your wedding.
Finally you will fill out a small form and confirm the location, time,
and date of your wedding ceremony with the Registrar. Additionally,
you will have to name two "witnesses of record" for your marriage license.
These witnesses may act as your attendants at your wedding and need to
be present at the wedding to sign the legal documentation.
The Registrar of Marriages performs all civil ceremonies. The
fee for the Registrar is $100 (plus any expenses) for weddings outside
the office and $35 for marriages performed inside the Registrar's Office.
If you are living in the US, Britain, or Canada, the marriage license is
enough for proof of marriage. In other areas or in certain legal
situations, an "Apostille" license may be required. It will be necessary
to request this upon filling out your paperwork with the Registrar's Office
and normally is subject to an additional $45 fee.
On your wedding day, the Registrar shall meet you at your wedding location, perform the civil ceremony and then return all your documentation to you. Congratulations!
