Altos de Chavón · Photo: Edgar El / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Legal requirements to marry in the Dominican Republic (for foreigners)
Documents, apostilles, translations and witnesses for a legally binding civil wedding in the DR, from official Dominican and U.S. Embassy sources.
A legally binding wedding in the Dominican Republic is a civil marriage performed by an Oficial del Estado Civil (civil registrar). Requirements below come from the Junta Central Electoral (JCE), the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo and the official tourism board; confirm with your registrar or planner, since offices can ask for extra documents.
Documents each foreign partner needs: a valid passport (plus copies of the bio page and latest entry stamp), a birth certificate, and a sworn declaration of single status (soltería). Previously married? Bring the divorce decree or the late spouse's death certificate.
Apostille and translation: foreign documents must be apostilled in the issuing country (or legalized by a Dominican consulate if that country is not in the Hague Apostille Convention) and translated into Spanish by a certified interpreter, with the translation legalized. U.S. birth certificates are apostilled by the issuing state.
Single-status declaration: the U.S. Embassy no longer takes these affidavits; U.S. citizens make the sworn declaration before a Dominican notary (legalized at the Procuraduría General de la República) or before a U.S. notary, legalized at a Dominican consulate.
Witnesses: at least two adult witnesses with valid ID or passport. The tourism board says they should not be relatives.
Religious ceremonies need extra Church paperwork (baptism and confirmation certificates and authorization from your home diocese). Many couples marry civilly at home and hold a symbolic ceremony in the DR, which avoids the paperwork entirely.
Costs: the JCE lists RD$600 per certificate copy (acta); apostille, translation, notary and registrar travel fees vary. Planners such as Bodas Punta Cana, Caribbean Wedding Agency and DIDEA Weddings can handle the filing.
After the paperwork: book music and film with ExperiencesDR's in-house add-ons (Wedding DJ from US$2,500; video/photo pricing on request).
Step-by-step timeline
1) Several months ahead: order birth certificates and, if applicable, divorce decrees or death certificates. 2) Apostille each document in the issuing country (or legalize it at a Dominican consulate if that country is not in the Hague Convention). 3) Make the sworn single-status declaration. 4) Have everything translated into Spanish by an official translator. 5) The official tourism board notes that photocopies of the required documents can be sent in advance, but the couple must bring the originals when they arrive. 6) Present the documents to the Oficialía del Estado Civil before the ceremony, with two or more witnesses holding valid passports.
Religious (Catholic) ceremonies
According to the official tourism board, the main requirement is authorization from an archbishop in the couple's country of residence, delivered to the local Dominican archdiocese. Documents include a pre-marital certificate, baptism and confirmation certificates, any church annulment, birth certificates and a sworn statement of civil status; couples already married civilly at home also present that certificate legalized by the Dominican consulate.
Legal vs symbolic
Many couples marry legally at home and hold a symbolic ceremony in the DR, which avoids the apostille and translation steps. Planners in our listings, such as Bodas Punta Cana (which offers paperwork guidance) and Caribbean Wedding Agency (official, Catholic and LGBT ceremonies), can advise on either route.
Related guides
Budgeting the rest of the wedding? See our destination wedding cost guide and our 2027 Punta Cana wedding cost breakdown, which includes the JCE certificate fee.
Providers compared
| Listing | Location | What they offer | Published price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodas Punta Cana | Punta Cana | Wedding planning and paperwork guidance; hair, photography, décor; micro-weddings on Isla Saona, Cap Cana and Punta Cana beaches | On request |
| Caribbean Wedding Agency | Bávaro / Punta Cana | Proposals, elopements, weddings (incl. official, Catholic and LGBT), birthdays & events; photo, video, entertainment, rentals | Intimate beach wedding packages from $1,400 for two |
Key facts by provider
- Bodas Punta Cana: languages: Spanish-language website
Related listings & add-ons
Is a wedding in the Dominican Republic legally recognized?
A civil marriage performed by a Dominican civil registrar is legally valid; check with your home country about registering it there.
What documents do foreigners need to marry in the DR?
Passport, apostilled birth certificate, sworn declaration of single status, and divorce or death certificate if previously married, all translated into Spanish with legalized translations, plus two adult witnesses.
Can the U.S. Embassy provide the single-status affidavit?
No. The U.S. Embassy discontinued that practice; use a Dominican notary or a U.S. notary with legalization at a Dominican consulate.
Can we have a symbolic ceremony instead?
Yes. Many couples marry civilly at home and hold a symbolic ceremony in the DR, which needs no Dominican paperwork.
Can I send documents in advance?
The official tourism board says photocopies can be sent ahead, but originals must be brought on arrival.
What do we need for a Catholic wedding?
Authorization from an archbishop in your country of residence delivered to the local Dominican archdiocese, plus baptism, confirmation and pre-marital certificates.