Marrying A Belizean: Legal Steps For Americans

If you're an American citizen looking to marry a Belizean, there are a few things you need to know. First, you'll need to meet the basic requirements for marriage in Belize, which include residing in the country for at least three days before applying for a marriage license. Additionally, you'll need to provide proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, and if applicable, proof of divorce or widowhood. The marriage must be performed by an authorized official and witnessed by two people, after which it must be registered with the Registry Department. It's also important to note that same-sex marriage is currently not legal in Belize. If you plan to bring your Belizean spouse back to the US, you may need to look into visa requirements and the process for sponsoring your spouse.

Marriage requirements in Belize

Belize has become a popular wedding destination for those seeking an exotic Caribbean-style location. The country's diverse natural scenery, including rainforests, scenic rivers, waterfalls, gardens, and pristine beaches, offers a range of options for couples planning their nuptials.

Basic Requirements:

• The couple must reside in Belize for at least three days before applying for a marriage license.
• Both parties must provide proof of citizenship, such as a valid passport or birth certificate.
• If applicable, proof of divorce or widowhood (original divorce or death certificate) must be presented.
• The application must be signed in the presence of a Senior Justice of the Peace, who will also officiate the wedding or delegate this task to a boat captain or a Minister of a registered church.
• Two witnesses, one male and one female, are required for the wedding ceremony.
• The cost of the license for non-residents is $100 per couple, plus a $5 administrative fee. If one of the spouses is a Belizean national, the cost is reduced to $50.
• The marriage must be registered with the Registry Department after the ceremony.

Additional Considerations:

• A blood test is not required, and parental consent is not necessary if both partners are over 18 years old.
• The marriage license is valid for six months from the date of issue. If the wedding does not take place within this period, a new application with updated documents must be submitted.
• Same-sex marriage is currently not legal in Belize.

Sponsoring Your Spouse for Permanent Residence:

If you plan to bring your Belizean spouse to live in another country, such as Canada, you will need to file a sponsorship application for them to become a permanent resident. They may also need to apply for a visitor visa if they wish to visit you during the processing of their permanent residence application.

Getting a marriage license

To get married in Belize, you must follow a few steps and meet some basic requirements. Here is what you need to know about getting a marriage license:

Stay in Belize for at least three days before applying for a license:

Both members of the couple must be in Belize for at least three days before their license application can be processed. This requirement applies to both residents and non-residents.

Submit the application to the Registrar General's Office:

After the three-day residency period, the couple can submit their application for a marriage license to the Registrar General's Office. The office in Belize City can be reached at (011) 501-223-5625, and the email address for the Vital Statistics Office is [email protected].

Provide the necessary documents:

When applying for a marriage license, you will need to present proof of citizenship, such as a valid passport or birth certificate. If applicable, you will also need to provide proof of divorce or widowhood. A Senior Justice of the Peace must witness the signing of the application.

Pay the license and administrative fees:

The cost of the marriage license for non-residents is US$100 per couple, plus an administrative fee of US$5. If one of the spouses is a Belizean national, the license cost is reduced to US$50.

Obtain the license:

After submitting the application, it typically takes one day to process. You can then pick up the license to marry from the Registrar General's Office.

Perform the wedding ceremony:

The wedding must be conducted by either a Senior Justice of the Peace who is authorised to marry people, a boat captain, or a Minister of a registered church. Two witnesses, one male and one female, must be present at the ceremony.

Register the marriage:

After the wedding ceremony, the marriage must be registered with the Registry Department. This process takes about 10 weeks, and the marriage certificate will be mailed to the couple.

It is important to note that the marriage license is valid for six months from the date of issue. If you do not marry within this period, you will need to reapply with new supporting documents.

Registering the marriage

To obtain a marriage license, couples must reside in Belize for at least three days before their application is processed. The application is then made to the Registrar General's Office in Belize City, along with supporting documents, including proof of citizenship, passports, and birth certificates. If applicable, proof of divorce or widowhood is also required. A Senior Justice of the Peace must witness the signing of the application. The application process takes one day, after which the license to marry will be issued.

The wedding ceremony must be performed by either a Senior Justice of the Peace, a boat captain, or a Minister of a registered church. There must be two witnesses, one male and one female, and the marriage license must be signed by both parties in the presence of the witnesses and the Justice of the Peace, who will also notarize the license.

The cost of the license for non-residents is $100 per couple, plus a $5 administrative fee. The license is valid for six months from the date of issue. If you do not marry within six months, you must apply again with new supporting documents.

Sponsoring your Belizean spouse for Canadian residency

Marrying Your Belizean Fiancé

Before initiating the sponsorship process, you must first legally marry your Belizean fiancé. To marry in Belize, the following steps must be taken:

• Both parties must reside in Belize for at least three days before applying for a marriage license.
• Submit the application for the marriage license to the Registrar General's Office in Belize, along with supporting documents such as proof of citizenship, passports, birth certificates, and divorce or death certificates if applicable.
• The application process takes about a day to complete.
• The wedding ceremony must be performed by a senior justice of the peace or a minister of a registered church, and two witnesses must be present.
• After the ceremony, the marriage must be registered with the registry department, and the registration process typically takes around 10 weeks.

Alternatively, the marriage ceremony can also take place in Canada or any other country, provided both parties have the necessary visas to enter the country legally.

Once you have legally married your Belizean spouse, you can initiate the sponsorship process for them to become a permanent resident of Canada. Here are the key steps:

• As the sponsor, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• You must demonstrate that you can financially support your spouse and ensure they do not need social assistance from the government.
• Submit a sponsorship application on behalf of your spouse. This typically involves completing various forms, including the Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement, and Undertaking, as well as providing necessary documentation.
• The processing times for the application can vary, and it is important to check the current processing times and provide all the required information to avoid delays.
• During the process, your spouse may need to provide biometrics, and they may also need to apply for a visitor visa if they wish to visit you in Canada while their application is being processed.

The sponsorship process can be complex, and it is recommended to seek guidance from a professional immigration consultant or review service to ensure a smooth application process.

Belizean citizenship by marriage

To obtain Belizean citizenship by marriage, you must be married to a Belizean national for a minimum of one year. This applies whether your spouse was born in Belize or acquired citizenship before your marriage.

To get married in Belize, you must first meet some basic requirements. Both parties must reside in the country for at least three days before applying for a marriage license. You will need to provide proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, and if applicable, an original divorce or death certificate. A senior justice of the peace must witness the signing of the application, and the license costs $100 BZD, or $200 per couple, plus a $5, or BZD$10, administrative fee. The application process takes around one day to complete, and the wedding must be performed by a senior justice of the peace or a minister of a registered church, with two witnesses present.

Once you are married, you can apply for Belizean citizenship. The application process requires several supporting documents, including:

• A completed citizenship application form.
• A marriage certificate.
• Spouse's proof of Belizean citizenship, such as a birth certificate and photo identification.
• A valid passport from your country of origin.
• A police record from Belize or the country where you have resided for the past six months.
• A medical certificate and HIV and VDRL tests.
• Two referees' identification—Belizeans who have known your spouse for a minimum of one year and can provide proof of identification.
• A letter of financial support (for financially dependent spouses).

All documents must be in English or translated and signed by a proper authority. Additionally, you must present all passports held since acquiring permanent residence status.

Frequently asked questions