Tie the knot’ standing on a magical beach or have the majestic Soufrière Hills framing the background. The island’s service providers have become involved in assisting in the organization of tropical weddings, and with their help you can easily organize all the little details that will make your wedding or honeymoon in Montserrat the memory of a lifetime.
For persons wishing to marry in Montserrat, there are three certificates, which can be granted before the marriage can be performed:
a) the special or Governor’s License
b) certificates of due publication of banns and
c) the Registrar General’s certificate.
A minimum stay of three working days in Montserrat is required before application can be made to obtain a special or Governor’s Marriage Licence. This licence is the most appealing to most visitors as it does not entail an extended waiting period. Banns however, must be published for three Sundays before the certificate is issued, while for the Registrar’s certificate; a notice has to be posted for twenty-one days. Application for the special or Governor’s licence is made through the Department of Administration. Applicants must have the following documents:
(a) Marriage Application Form (issued by the Department of Administration),
(b) Passports of both parties, Original Absolute Divorce Decree (if divorced), Original Death
(c) Certificate of deceased spouse (if widowed),
(d) Non-Marriage Certificate (if applicable).
These must all be ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS and must be presented when the application form is submitted.
a) All applicants under the age of eighteen years would need written parental consent for the marriage to take place.
b) No blood test or medical certificate is required.
c) Any documents presented in any language apart from English must be presented with a certified translation into the English language.
d) Processing of the application takes approximately three working days to one week.
e) The cost of the license is EC$ 200.00, which must be paid in Montserrat stamps.
The Application Form is obtainable in Montserrat but may be sent to the applicant in advance. Applicants must complete the form and have it certified before submission. Applications must state when they wish to be married, the type of ceremony, i.e. religious or civil, and the venue, if they choose a civil ceremony (i.e. performed by the Registrar). Persons wishing to marry in Montserrat by special or Governor’s licence should contact the Department of Administration soon after their arrival on island so that they can be properly advised.
The major religions on the island (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, etc) all require that the couple receive several hours of religious marriage counselling- for some religions up to at least three months of counselling. In some cases this counselling may preferably be done in the couple’s hometown but permission to do so should be sought. Also, all necessary documentation certifying that a properly ordained Minister of Religion has done the required counselling must be submitted.
In the case of the Roman Catholic, this communication must be from Bishop to Bishop. A donation may be offered to the church if you desire. Many churches also prefer not to marry divorced persons, but as an alternative, the Registrar can perform a civil ceremony. If you wish to be married by a Minister of Religion, you are advised to make these necessary queries to clarify all this pertinent information. A Marriage may be performed by a Marriage Officer between the hours of six in the morning and eight in the evening.
If the couple should choose to be married in a civil ceremony, the Registrar will perform the ceremony. Enquiries can be made at the Registrar’s Office, Government Headquarters, Brades, Montserrat. A Marriage may be performed by the Registrar-General between the hours of ten in the morning and three in the afternoon. The Registrar or the Marriage Officer will decide whether an interpreter is necessary. The couple will then be issued with a duplicate copy of the registration. The official certificate can be obtained from the Registrar’s Office within one week of the ceremony.
A copy of the signed registration of marriage is given to the couple after the ceremony, but the official marriage certificate must be obtained at the Registry at a fee of $20.00, in Montserrat stamps. Please ensure that you get your certificate before leaving the island. All mail should be directed to, and enquiries made at the Department of Administration:
Department of Administration
PO Box 292
Government Headquarters
Brades
Montserrat, B.W.I.
Email: admin@gov.ms
Tel: (664) 491-2365
Hours: Mon – Fri 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Inquiries can also be made at the Tourist Board:
Montserrat Tourist Board#7 Farara Plaza, Buildings B&C
P.O. Box 7, Brades, Montserrat, West Indies
T: (664) 491 2230/8730
F: (664) 491 7430
E: info@montserrattourism.ms
Website: http://www.visitmontserrat.com
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ALL DOCUMENTS PRESENTED MUST BE ORIGINALS.
