Turks and Caicos Wedding License & Legal Requirements

Before getting married in the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands, you will need to obtain a wedding license and ensure you meet all the necessary legal requirements for marriage. Hiring a wedding planner to help you navigate the process is highly recommended—especially if you're planning a destination wedding.

It is not possible for same-sex couples to obtain a marriage license in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Marriage License Requirements

You or your fiancé must be present in the Turks and Caicos Islands for at least 48 hours before a standard marriage license application can be made.

The following are the requirements for obtaining a marriage license and getting married in the Turks and Caicos:

• Valid passport
• Original birth certificate
• Proof of marital status
• If single, a sworn affidavit stating this and a certificate of no-impediment from the applicant’s home country
• If a divorcee, a divorce decree (either original or a notarized copy sealed by a court clerk)
• If a widow/widower, the death certificate (either an original or notarized copy) of the deceased spouse and a copy of the original marriage certificate
• In the case of a name change, either a deed poll or adoption papers
• If either party is under 21 years of age, the consent of both parents or guardians in the form of an affidavit stamped by a notary public
• Letters stating occupation, marital status, age as of last birthday, present address, and father’s full name
• Evidence of arrival date in the Islands, usually in the form of a passport stamp
• A license fee of $150

A blood test is not necessary. Any documents not in English must be translated and notarized by the applicable consulate. For church weddings, some ministers may require proof of membership.

Turks and Caicos marriages cannot be within the prohibited degree of relationship stated in the law. Cousin marriage is not prohibited.

The license must be obtained from the Registrar’s Office before the ceremony can take place. If you have any questions, call the Registrar’s Office in Providenciales for more information. Most government offices in the Turks and Caicos request copies of original documents. All copies of the above documents must be notarized and sealed. Bring these with you or supply them to your wedding planner if they are handling your wedding license application.

The cost to obtain a copy of your Turks and Caicos marriage certificate is $40 (2024 price).

Cruise Ship Guests

Cruise ship guests are exempt from the residency requirement and can obtain a license on the day for the same day. This fee is $250 instead of $150. However, be advised that arrangements need to be made well in advance.

Additional Requirements

The following are additional requirements for marriage in Turks and Caicos:

• You must have two witnesses (other than the marriage officer) present.
• You need a local minister or justice of the peace. For example, you cannot have someone ordained from an online church marry you in the Turks and Caicos.

The Ceremony

The marriage ceremony can be conducted by a minister or justice of the peace (marriage officer) at a wedding venue of your choosing (whether in a local church, hotel or resort, private vacation villa, or right on one of the many beautiful beaches).

For Christian ceremonies, there is a wide range of local pastors of various denominations (Catholic, Anglican, and Baptist, for example) who can officiate weddings. For those of the Jewish faith, a local branch of Chabad Lubavitch hosts a visiting rabbi.

To obtain a copy of your marriage certificate, you will need to inform your marriage officer, pay the fee, and complete the necessary forms. A copy will then be sent to your home address.

There is no provision for marriages to be registered in the person’s home country, as records are kept in the Turks and Caicos Islands.