How to Get Married in the Dominican Republic: Legal Requirements, Tips & Beach Wedding Guide

Getting married in the Dominican Republic is a dream come true for many couples. Picture this: turquoise waters, soft white sand, palm trees swaying in the breeze, and you saying “I do” under the Caribbean sun. The island has become one of the most popular destinations for weddings abroad - and for good reason. Beyond its natural beauty, the Dominican Republic offers a seamless blend of romance, adventure, and world-class hospitality that makes every ceremony truly unforgettable.

But before walking down that tropical aisle, it’s important to understand how the process works. Whether you’re planning a grand beach celebration or a small, intimate ceremony, there are specific steps and legal requirements for getting married in the Dominican Republic. From gathering documents to choosing your perfect venue, proper preparation ensures your big day goes smoothly and stress-free.

The great news? Planning a wedding here is much easier than most couples expect. With the help of local planners, resorts, and legal experts, you can organize everything - from paperwork to photography - without unnecessary hassle. In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the essentials: requirements, costs, and practical tips for saying “I do” in paradise.

KEY POINTS:

• Legal requirements for getting married in the Dominican Republic.
• Costs and budgeting tips for destination weddings.
• Marriage options for foreigners and mixed-nationality couples.
• Choosing venues and wedding planners on the island.
• Practical advice for stress-free wedding organization.

Requirements to Get Married in the Dominican Republic

Before you start dreaming about your wedding photos on a white-sand beach, it’s important to make sure everything is legal and properly documented. Understanding the requirements to get married in the Dominican Republic will save you time, stress, and last-minute surprises. Whether you’re a foreign couple or marrying a Dominican citizen, the process is straightforward once you know what’s needed.

The Dominican Republic recognizes both civil and religious ceremonies, but most international couples choose a civil wedding, as it’s legally binding in most countries. To marry legally, you’ll need to provide several official documents translated into Spanish and certified before your ceremony.

Here’s what most couples will need:

1. Valid passports for both parties.
2. Original birth certificates (and official Spanish translations).
3. Single status affidavits (a statement declaring you’re free to marry).
4. Divorce decree or death certificate if previously married.
5. Copies of two witnesses’ passports (non-family members).
6. Tourist cards or visas confirming legal entry into the country.

Once these documents are translated and legalized, your wedding planner or local notary can submit them to the Dominican Civil Registry. Religious weddings (such as Catholic ceremonies) require additional paperwork approved by local church authorities.

TIP: Start gathering and translating your documents at least 6–8 weeks before your wedding date. Legalization can take time, especially if your country requires apostilles or embassy certification. Having digital and printed copies ready will make the process faster once you’re in the Dominican Republic.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Married in the Dominican Republic

When planning a destination wedding, one of the first questions couples ask is how much does it cost to get married in the Dominican Republic? The good news - you can have a breathtaking tropical ceremony without spending a fortune. Costs vary depending on location, ceremony type, and the level of luxury you choose, but overall, the Dominican Republic remains one of the most affordable wedding destinations in the Caribbean.

Most couples spend anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000, depending on whether they prefer a small elopement or a full-scale beach event. The final price depends on your venue, number of guests, legal requirements, and extras like photography or private catering.

Here’s a general overview of wedding expenses:

• Civil ceremony fees: $300–$500 - legal paperwork, officiant, registration.
• Wedding planner services: $500–$1,500 - coordination, translation, and logistics.
• Beach or resort venue rental: $800–$3,000 - includes setup, chairs, arch, and decoration.
• Photographer & videographer: $500–$1,500 - professional photo sessions or packages.
• Reception & catering: $1,000–$3,000 - food, drinks, and music for guests.
• Flowers & décor: $200–$800 - bouquets, centerpieces, and ceremony design.
• Hair, makeup & attire: $150–$500 - on-site beauty services and styling.

Couples looking for simplicity can even plan a symbolic ceremony for under $1,000, especially in smaller coastal towns like Cabarete or Sosúa. On the other hand, high-end resort weddings with full service and private receptions can cost more - but still often less than hosting a similar event in North America or Europe.

TIP: Choose a local wedding planner who can negotiate prices and recommend reliable vendors. Many planners offer packages that combine venue rental, paperwork, and coordination - often saving you up to 20–30% compared to booking everything separately.

Can You Get Married in the Dominican Republic?

The short answer is yes - you can get married in the Dominican Republic whether you’re both foreigners, one of you is Dominican, or you’re a couple from different nationalities. The process is designed to be flexible and welcoming, which is why the country has become one of the top destinations for international weddings.

There are two main types of ceremonies recognized in the Dominican Republic: civil weddings and religious weddings. Civil weddings are the most common for foreigners because they are legally valid both locally and internationally. Religious weddings (such as Catholic ceremonies) are also recognized but require extra documentation from your local church, which must be approved by Dominican authorities before the ceremony.

Foreign couples can choose to marry at a resort, villa, or private venue anywhere in the country — from Punta Cana to Cabarete. Mixed-nationality couples (where one partner is Dominican) follow nearly the same process, though sometimes the Dominican citizen may need to provide additional identification and residence documents.

Key points to remember:

• Both parties must be at least 18 years old to marry legally.
• You do not need Dominican residency to get married here.
• Witnesses are required and must be over 18 years old.
• Same-sex marriages are not legally recognized in the Dominican Republic (symbolic ceremonies only).
• Legal ceremonies must be performed by an authorized civil officer.

Whether you’re eloping on a quiet beach or hosting a full celebration with friends and family, the Dominican Republic makes it easy to say “I do” under the sun - legally and beautifully.

TIP: If you plan a legal wedding, confirm with your local embassy whether your marriage will automatically be recognized in your home country. In some cases, you’ll need to register your Dominican marriage certificate with your national authorities upon returning home.

Marrying a Dominican in the Dominican Republic

For many travelers, love finds them in paradise. If you’ve fallen for a local and are considering marrying a Dominican in the Dominican Republic, the process is straightforward - but it does come with a few additional legal steps compared to a marriage between two foreigners. The good news is that Dominican law allows international marriages without the need for residency, and the paperwork is relatively simple once properly translated and certified.

To legally marry a Dominican citizen, the foreign partner must present the same basic documents required for any wedding - passport, birth certificate, and single status affidavit - along with a few extra items specific to mixed-nationality unions. The Dominican partner will also need to provide local identification (cédula) and a birth certificate issued within the last six months. Once verified, the ceremony can be held at the Civil Registry office or any authorized location, such as a resort or private villa.

Documents typically required for international marriages:

• Valid passport for the foreign citizen.
• Original birth certificate (translated into Spanish).
• Single status affidavit or divorce decree (if applicable).
• Cédula (national ID) of the Dominican partner.
• Birth certificate of the Dominican citizen (recent issue).
• Two witnesses over the age of 18 with valid IDs.

After the ceremony, couples receive an official marriage certificate issued by the Dominican Civil Registry. If the foreign partner wants the marriage recognized abroad, this certificate must be apostilled or authenticated at the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs before submission to their home country’s authorities.

TIP: When marrying a Dominican in the Dominican Republic, consult your country’s embassy in Santo Domingo to confirm any additional requirements. They can provide guidance on document translation, legalization, and next steps for registering your marriage internationally.

Final Thoughts on Getting Married in the Dominican Republic

A wedding in the Dominican Republic is more than just a ceremony - it’s an unforgettable experience filled with color, warmth, and tropical charm. Whether you’re exchanging vows on a quiet beach, in a luxury resort, or within a lush garden surrounded by palm trees, the island offers the perfect setting for love stories of every kind.

Beyond the romance, the process of getting married in the Dominican Republic is refreshingly simple. With clear legal steps, flexible venues, and experienced local planners, couples can focus less on paperwork and more on the joy of the moment. Every part of the journey — from preparing documents to saying “I do” under the Caribbean sun - becomes part of a story you’ll never forget.

But perhaps the most beautiful thing about a Dominican wedding is the feeling it leaves behind. It’s not just about the pictures or the destination - it’s about the connection, the laughter, and the shared memories that begin in paradise and continue wherever life takes you next.