Belize Marriage License Application

Belize has become a popular wedding destination for those seeking an exotic Caribbean-style location. The country offers a range of unique settings for weddings, from pristine beaches to lush tropical rainforests and ancient Mayan pyramids. For couples looking to tie the knot in Belize, the first step is to obtain a marriage license. This can be done through either the Registrar General's Office in Belize City or the Attorney General's Ministry in Belmopan. Couples must be in the country for at least three days before submitting their application, which requires proof of citizenship, passports, birth certificates, and, if applicable, proof of divorce or widowhood.

Marriage license application requirements

Firstly, you must be in Belize for at least three days before you can apply for a marriage license. You can then submit your application to the Register General. If you live in Belize, you can go straight to the register and fill out the application. If you are near Belize City, you must apply at the Registrar General's Office in the city. The Vital Statistics Office's phone number is (011) 501-223-5625.

The application process takes one day and requires proof of citizenship, a valid passport, or a birth certificate. If either party was previously married, proof of divorce or widowhood is required. A Senior Justice of the Peace must witness the signing of the application.

After the one-day processing period, you can pick up the license to marry. Weddings must be performed by 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.

The cost of the license for non-residents is $100 per couple, or $50 if either partner is Belizean, plus a $5 administrative fee. If both applicants are non-Belizean, the cost is $200. Licenses can be obtained within two days. A blood test is not required, and consent from a parent is not required if both partners are over 18. The marriage must be registered with the Registry Department after the ceremony.

Where to submit the application

To apply for a marriage license in Belize, you have two options:

Registrar General's Office in Belize City

The contact details for the Registrar General's Office are:

• Phone number: (011) 501-223-5625
• Fax number: 501-822-3390
• Address: Vital Statistics Office, Belize City
• Email: [email protected]

Attorney General's Ministry in Belmopan

The contact details for the Attorney General's Ministry are:

• Phone number: 501-822-0519 or 501-822-2504
• Fax number: 501-822-3390
• Address: 6120 Racoon Avenue, Belmopan City, Belize, Central America
• Email: [email protected]

Regardless of which office you choose, you must be in the country for at least one day before applying for a license. If you are applying through the Registrar General's Office, there is no additional prior notice required. However, if you are applying through the Attorney General's Ministry, you must provide one day's notice before submitting your application.

Cost of the marriage license

The cost of a marriage license in Belize depends on the residency and citizenship status of the applicants. For couples where one or both members are Belizean, the cost is $50. For couples where neither member is Belizean, the cost is $200. An administrative fee of $5 is also charged.

The Attorney General's Ministry of Belize states that the marriage license costs $250 for non-Belizean couples, with a reduced fee of $100 for couples who have been domiciled in Belize for three days or more before the wedding. This is supported by another source, which states that the cost of the license for non-residents is $100 per couple, or $50 if either member of the couple is Belizean.

The marriage license can be obtained from either the Registrar General's Office in Belize City or the Attorney General's Ministry in Belmopan. The application process takes one day, and the license can be picked up one or two days after approval. The application must be signed by a Senior Justice of the Peace, and the marriage ceremony must be performed by 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.

Supporting documents

To apply for a marriage license in Belize, you must submit several supporting documents along with the application form. Here is a detailed list of the required documents:

When applying for a marriage license in Belize, it is important to provide the necessary supporting documents to ensure a smooth and successful application process. Here is a comprehensive guide to the supporting documents required:

• Valid passports: Both parties must provide valid passports with an entry stamp for Belize. This serves as proof of citizenship and identity.
• Proof of citizenship: In addition to a passport, applicants may provide an original birth certificate with a raised seal or signed by a notary public, including the father's name. This document verifies an individual's citizenship and identity.
• Proof of previous marriage or divorce: If either party was previously married, proof of divorce or widowhood is required. This can be in the form of an original or certified copy of the divorce certificate, decree absolute, or death certificate. These documents confirm the applicant's marital status and are mandatory for previously married individuals.
• Certified copies of national ID: Each applicant must provide a certified copy of their national identification card. This could be a passport or social security card, and it must be stamped and certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP) as a true copy of the original document.
• Consent forms for minors: If either party is under 18 years of age, a consent form signed by their parent(s) or guardian is required. This form must also be stamped and signed by a JP or notary public. Additionally, certified copies of the parent's or guardian's identification and marriage certificate may be requested.
• Naturalization documents: For applicants who are naturalized Belizean citizens, a certified copy of their nationality certificate is necessary. This document confirms their citizenship status in Belize.
• Original supporting documents upon collection: When collecting the marriage license, applicants must present the original supporting documents and the application fee receipt. This ensures the authenticity of the provided information.

It is important to note that all foreign documents must be notarized by a notary public, and all copies must be certified by a Justice of the Peace as true copies of the original documents. The application process typically takes one day, and the cost of the license varies depending on the residency status of the applicants.

Processing time

To apply for a marriage license in Belize, couples must be in the country for a minimum of three days before they can apply for a minister’s license to marry. This application is then submitted to the Register General after the 3-day resident period. The application process takes one day and requires proof of citizenship, passport or birth certificate, proof of divorce or widowhood, and a Senior Justice of the Peace to witness the signing of the application.

After the one-day application processing period, the license to marry will be ready for pick-up. The cost of the license for non-residents is $100 per couple, or $50 if either member of the couple is a Belizean, plus a $5 administrative fee. Licenses can be obtained within two days.

The marriage must be registered with the Registry Department after the ceremony. This processing takes about 10 weeks, and your certificate will be mailed thereafter. Weddings around the Christmas holiday will require more processing time.

The Attorney General's Ministry of Belize states that the period for the processing of licenses is 2 weeks from the date of submission of the application. Applicants will be contacted via email or telephone and given a date to collect the license.

Frequently asked questions