Marriage Requirements in Saint Lucia: Documents, Fees and Timing

No residency period

Saint Lucia has no residency period. A same-day licence application means you can have a marriage licence within 24 hours of arriving. If you choose the regular licence, you must be on the island for two days before the wedding. Resorts also publish their own timings. Jade Mountain, for example, asks for at least two business days after arrival, and Ladera asks guests to be on the island three working days before the ceremony. Requirements can change, so confirm them with the licence office or your resort.

Documents you need

• A valid passport.
• A birth certificate.
• A divorce decree, original or certified copy, if either of you has been divorced. Resorts ask for the final decree absolute with its stamp and seal.
• A marriage and death certificate, originals or certified copies, if either of you is widowed.
• A sworn affidavit of consent, notarised, if either of you is under 18.
• An authenticated translation of any document not in English.

Fees

A regular marriage licence, with the notarial fees, costs £93^note (EC$335). A same-day marriage licence costs £150^note (EC$540). Registrar fees and the marriage certificate are charged on top. Many resorts include licence and legal fees in their packages, while free wedding offers usually add a fixed charge. Sandals lists £295^note for the officiant and government documentation, and Coconut Bay lists £370^note. See our fixed price packages comparison and our money and tipping guide for the currency.

Using a wedding coordinator

Most resorts have a coordinator who prepares your documents in advance from a questionnaire, books the registrar, arranges witnesses if needed and delivers the paperwork. If you are not using a resort coordinator, an independent planner or the Saint Lucia National Trust, which takes wedding bookings at heritage sites, can help. Check entry rules for your nationality in our visa and entry guide.

Church weddings and legal recognition

A civil ceremony is the standard route. A Catholic wedding can be arranged but needs at least three months of planning through your home parish and the Archbishop in Saint Lucia. Ask your own country's authorities whether a Saint Lucia marriage certificate needs to be legalised or registered at home, and bring certified copies for name changes.

Same-sex couples

Same-sex marriage is not currently available in Saint Lucia, so same-sex couples cannot marry legally on the island. Honeymoons, commitment ceremonies and celebrations without legal status are possible at many resorts, so ask each one directly. Our LGBTQ+ travel guide explains the legal position.

How long does it take to get a marriage licence in Saint Lucia?

Getting a marriage licence in Saint Lucia takes about two days on the regular route or within roughly 24 hours with a same-day application, and there is no residency period, so you can marry soon after you arrive. Resorts usually give their own timings, which can be longer, so follow the resort's advice for your date. Requirements can change, so confirm the current rules with the licence office or your wedding coordinator before you travel, and keep their reply with your other papers in case a question arises on arrival. Keep digital copies on your phone as well as paper copies in your hand luggage, so that a lost bag does not become a problem for the wedding.

Preparation is the key. Most resorts send a questionnaire and ask for copies of your passports and birth certificates in advance, then check the originals when you arrive. If either of you has been divorced or widowed, bring the right certificates, and make sure names match across every document. Our visa and entry guide explains the entry rules for UK passport holders, which is worth checking at the same time. A small mismatch in spelling can cause delay, so check each document carefully. If a name differs between your passport and your birth certificate, ask the coordinator what extra evidence is needed well before you travel. Fixing a small error early costs little, while discovering it on arrival could delay the ceremony.

Give yourselves a buffer. Flights can be delayed and offices can be closed on public holidays, so arriving a few days before the ceremony removes pressure. Choose a date that is not at the very end of your stay, and ask the coordinator to confirm every step in writing. A calm start to the week makes the wedding day itself much more enjoyable for you both. If you are travelling with guests, tell them the timetable early so that nobody plans to arrive on the morning of the ceremony. Guests who are not part of the legal process have more freedom, but it is kinder to ask them to arrive a day or two early as well.

Is a Saint Lucia wedding legally recognised in the UK?

A legal marriage in Saint Lucia is generally recognised in the UK, but you should confirm the current position with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office or your local register office, and keep certified copies of your certificate. A civil ceremony is the standard route, and a religious ceremony can be added. Vow renewals and symbolic ceremonies have no legal effect, so they do not replace a licence, and it is worth being clear with guests about which part of the day is the legal ceremony. If you plan a blessing or a symbolic ceremony as well, explain the difference to the registrar, the resort and your family so that nothing is misunderstood.

After the wedding, keep the marriage certificate safe and ask the coordinator how to obtain extra certified copies, since you may need them for name changes, bank accounts and visas. If a translation or legalisation is needed for your own records, ask early. Planning for the paperwork at home is as important as planning the day itself, and it avoids frustrating delays later. Many couples order several certified copies at once, which saves time and money when different organisations ask for proof. Keep the originals in a safe place and use the copies for everyday requests, which protects the certificate from damage or loss over the years. A sealed folder at home is ideal.

Same-sex couples should read our LGBTQ+ travel guide, because same-sex marriage is not currently available in Saint Lucia. Many resorts will host a commitment ceremony or a honeymoon, and policies vary, so ask each one directly. For couples seeking a small ceremony, the elopements and vow renewals guide explains the options. Whatever your plans, ask each resort to confirm its policy in writing before you pay a deposit. Clear information from the start spares everyone disappointment, and it lets you choose a place where you will feel fully welcome. Saint Lucia remains a popular honeymoon destination for all couples, and many resorts offer romantic dinners, spa days and boat trips without any legal requirement, so there is still plenty to celebrate and enjoy.

What should you do before you travel for a wedding in Saint Lucia?

Before you travel for a wedding in Saint Lucia, check your passport validity, send your documents to the resort, arrange travel insurance, confirm the wedding terms in writing and book flights that allow a few days before the ceremony. Doing these steps early removes most of the stress. Our health, insurance and safety guide explains what cover to look for, and it matters even more when a lot of money is invested in the trip. Tell your insurer that the trip includes a wedding. Ask whether the policy covers cancellation, delays and lost documents, and keep the policy number with your passport details. Read the small print on wedding cover, such as limits on rings, outfits and photography.

Think about the season. The drier months from December to April are the most popular, so book early, while the wetter months can offer better value and a lusher landscape. Our best time to visit guide explains the pattern in detail. Choose a resort that suits your guest list, such as Jade Mountain for a very private ceremony or Ladera for a wedding for two. Ask each resort how far ahead its best dates fill, and book accordingly. Popular weekends fill months ahead, so contact your shortlist as soon as you have a rough date, and ask each team how long they will hold a provisional booking for you. Put any deadline in your diary.

Keep a folder with everything in one place: documents, receipts, the written terms and the coordinator's contact details. Bring copies as well as originals, share the plan with a trusted relative at home and keep the dates visible. Check the fixed price packages guide for budgeting advice. A well-organised file is the best insurance against stress, and it lets you enjoy the wedding day. Pack your outfits in carry-on luggage if you can, in case a bag is delayed on the long journey. A calm, prepared start to the trip means that the first evening can be spent resting and enjoying the island rather than chasing paperwork. Rest, a good dinner and an early night are the best preparation for a wedding day.

Background on how the country is organised

Marriage requirements are set by the authorities and can change, so always confirm them directly before making plans. For general background, see law and foreign relations and government and politics.

To understand the customs that often shape ceremonies, read religion in Saint Lucia and culture and traditions. These pages are context only.

Certificates and documents from the UK

Couples marrying in Saint Lucia may need certified documents beforehand. The guide to vital records and marriage certificates explains how birth certificates, non-impediment certificates and certified marriage copies are requested, and the High Commission in London can advise on notarisations and apostilles.

When the legal side is settled, compare hotels in St Lucia and the wedding venues to choose where to say your vows.

Questions travellers ask