Destination Wedding in Turks and Caicos Islands

Whether you fell in love with Turks and Caicos while visiting the islands or you have seen the turquoise water on a magazine and decided to have your dream destination wedding along the shores of the famous Grace Bay beach or one of the many cays, the journey in planning will be both as sweet and as tiring as you can imagine.

If you’ve decided on your date, you can now contact the resort’s wedding planners so you can start discussing the details of your dream wedding. You may also contact a local wedding coordinator not affiliated with any resort if you think they are cheaper. Whatever your decision is, you must ensure that you are comfortable working with them. Follow your gutfeel and ensure to meet with all of them in person so you can see a glimpse of their personality. You also have to be upfront with them with regards to your budget. And do your research so that you will have a point of comparison.

If it is going to be a small group less than 15 guests, and you want to make your wedding a little more personal by preparing and planning everything on your own, list of requirements [below] are available for your reference.

Apart from beach or garden wedding, a wedding onboard a catamaran while you sail into the sunset with your family and friends is another great option that you might want to consider. I had my destination wedding onboard a catamaran huge enough to accommodate a maximum of 50 guest (I will be sharing it on a separate entry). Please ensure to visit each site or venue (for both the ceremony and reception) and picture yourself and your fiance/fiancee in it if it fits the dream destination wedding you are planning.

There are also those who are onboard a cruise ship and want to get married in Providenciales; if you’re one of them, please note that the cruise ship docks in Grand Turk, therefore, you will need to fly down to Providenciales. Remember, you have to be on island at least 72 hours to facilitate the wedding so always check your itinerary.

Whether you choose to plan your own destination wedding or you seek assistance from a professional one, below are some guidelines for your reference.

Requirements will be as follows:

REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A MARRIAGE LICENSE IN THE TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS

Photo identification/ passport id

Birth certificate.

From a certificate of no-impediment the registry, country/state where you reside.

Affidavit of single status (office will provide form)

Divorce decree

Death certificate (if widow or widower) and, copy of marriage certificate verifying the marriage between the deceased spouse and declarant.

Copy of legal status (work permit or immigration status)

Two (2) declaration forms

Application form for special license. (application form can be obtained from the registrar general’s office or from any marriage officer)

Copy of TCI immigration arrival and departure stamp

Visitors or tourist must be in the Turks and Caicos 48hours before submitting application.

Persons under the age of 21 years must have consent from parents or guardians.

Application fee- $250.00 (***fees are subject to change)

All copies of documents must be notarized and sealed.
The 22nd day of July 2011 is appointed as the day on which the Marriage Amendment Ordinance 2011 shall come into operation.

Section 12 of the Marriage Ordinance is amended, by inserting after subsection (2) the following new subsection
Marriage License Amendment

“(2A) Notwithstanding subsection (2) (b), the Governor may in respect of persons arriving in the Islands aboard a Cruise Ship intending that a marriage shall be solemnised between them in the Islands, grant a special license for a marriage to be solemnised between them the same day of their arrival in the Islands.” Cruise Ship passengers can now apply for a SPECIAL LICENSE for a marriage here in Turks and Caicos Islands on the same day of arrival!

For further information please contact the registrar general’s office Turks & Caicos islands tel:649-946-2801

Note: Marriage Licenses are issued at the office of the Registrar in Providenciales. This office is open to the public Mondays to Fridays between the hours of 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Please be advised that any Passports or documentation written other than in English should be translated in advance and notarized by the applicable consulate.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Affidavit
Marriage License Requirements
Marriage Officers & Registrars
Application for Special License
Marriage License Amendment

TIPS:

*** Ensure to check on published fees as it is subject to change.
*** Do your own research so that you will have point of comparison. Read blogs or reviews as first hand experience is always the best advice.
*** Be honest with vendors or wedding planner regarding your budget. Be realistic on your budget especially if you are seeking professional assistance.
*** Saturdays are the busiest day of the week for wedding ceremonies on island (especially on the Grace Bay beach); ensure to plan accordingly as you do not want someone else walking the isle on the other end of the beach on your wedding day.
*** Most officiant won’t perform wedding on Sundays as most of them are preaching.