With balmy weather and incredibly gorgeous nature everywhere you look, it’s no surprise that Belize is growing in popularity for destination weddings in the Caribbean and Central America. Just 2-4 hours’ flying time from the United States, Belize is easy to get to. And because English is the official language, your marriage documents won’t need to be translated once you get back home.
The requirements for getting married in Belize are quite simple. If neither the bride nor the groom is a resident of Belize, both the bride and groom must be present in Belize at least three days (72 hours) prior to the wedding ceremony. After establishing this three-day “residency,” the couple can file for a marriage application at any Registrar’s Office in Belize.
The application is quite simple and in English. All you’ll need is your passport and any other relevant marriage documents like a death certificate or divorce decree if applicable. A Senior Justice of the Peace will sign the application, and the processing time is just one day (24 hours). There are no blood tests required, but both the bride and groom must be over 18 years of age unless given written consent by a parent.
Once the application has been processed, you can get married! Keep in mind, however, that the ceremony must be officiated by a minister or priest of a registered church in Belize or by a (Belizean) Senior Justice of the Peace. Belizean law also requires that two witnesses must be present, one man, and one woman.
After your marriage ceremony, you’ll need to file it with the Registry Department. It’ll take about five to six weeks to process (longer if you get married during the Christmas-New Year’s period), but the certificate can be mailed to you anywhere in the world. Once you receive your certificate, you won’t need to do anything else as it will be recognized by the United States, Canada, and most other countries. And that’s it!
Keep in mind that Belize has a warm climate similar to what you’d find in Miami, so you’ll want to wear light, comfortable clothing on your special day. If you like, you can also arrange for a special wedding ceremony like tying the knot on the steps of an ancient Maya temple.
One of the best places to get married in Belize is the Belize Boutique Resort and Spa. Located on a stunning 1,000-acre property, the resort has everything you need for an unforgettable Belize destination wedding.
