Marriage Requirements:

You may opt for making your own arrangements, booking a hotel wedding package or enlisting the services of a wedding coordinator. Whatever your decision, ensure that its hassle free. But above all, it’s best to begin with getting your marriage license.

Steps to getting your marriage license:

• Complete a marriage license form (done physically)
• Form must be obtained from the following government office:
  • Ministry of Governance, Public Service Reform, Citizen Empowerment, Social Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs 
    3rd Floor, Government Headquarters
    Kennedy Avenue, Roseau
    Commonwealth of Dominica

• The completed form must be signed by both parties and witnessed by a Magistrate, a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, Commissioner of Oaths or Registrar.

Required documents

The following documents should accompany the completed application form:

• A certified copy of original Birth Certificate from each applicant (bring certified copy).
• Valid Passport presented for inspection 
• A non-marriage certificate must be presented to ensure that applicants have never been married.
• If married before, a Decree absolute in case of Divorce 
• Death Certificate of former spouse is deceased
• One passport-sized photo of each applicant.
• Deed Poll if name has been changed.
• Evidence of consent if one of the applicants is below 18.
• Postage Stamp valued at EC $7.50 (US $2.77).

Document submission process

The completed form and must be returned to the same Ministry it was collected from duly signed, witnessed and accompanied by the requested proof of identity and marital status. 

Ministry of Governance, Public Service Reform, Citizen Empowerment, Social Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs 
3rd Floor, Government Headquarters
Kennedy Avenue, Roseau
Commonwealth of Dominica

One of the under listed officers will be available to assist you:

• Assistant Secretary
• Minister’s Secretary
• Permanent Secretary’s Secretary

Mandatory relevant fees 

All fees are to be paid in cash only (Eastern Caribbean Dollars only): 

• Two-day Residency: EC $300 (US $110)
• Non-Residency: EC $500 (US $185)
• Weekend/Holiday Fee EC $504 (US $185) (Marriage License Fee of EC $300 plus EC $204) to facilitate the weekend or holiday wedding.

Additional fee for license granted under Section 39 (2) where applicants do not meet the two (2) day residency requirements – EC$200.00

Note that all fees should be paid at the Accounts Section of the Ministry or after the documents have been verified. 

Key Information: 

If, however, the marriage has already taken place overseas and only the ceremony is in Dominica, the couple needs to bring their marriage certificate / most recent marriage documents as proof of their marriage. 

The couple then has two options. 

1. To have their vows renew. In this case, the couple should visit the registry to ask for a renewal of their vows with their marriage certificate in tow.

2. To convalidate the marriage. Then, the couple goes directly to the Catholic Church to have this done. The church essentially gives its blessing and recognition to a legal marriage that has already taken place.