Getting Married in Cuba question

[Barrierunner]

Hi, I've just started to plan my wedding for July 2010 in Cuba and since I'm doing most of it on my own, I had a few questions. What do I need to consider in terms of the wedding to be legal on my end? Is there anything I have to do for the marriage certificate? I have friends that used travel agents that are also destination wedding planners and have told me that it is easier to allow them to do everything for them. That is fine, but I have decided to use Sears to book flights since they offer payment plans which would be a nice consideration for my guests. Any advice would be great!

Cheers!

[bholthof]

Go to the Cuban embassy website - all the information you need is on there. I'm pretty sure the legalization question has been covered in the Cuba forum somewhere - take a look through and you'll probably find something

 

Have you spoken to travel agents? I'm sure that they offer payment plans as well- you could always ask. And either way, you're still going to have to do things on your own.

 

Are you getting legally married here before you go, or legally married in Cuba? I'm pretty sure the requirements are simple.

[truelove4life]

Hi There! I am also getting married in July and have decided on the Laguna Azul as well but we have yet to book it!! I am in the same boat as per legalities. Let me know what you find out!!

[Melidell]

If you've never been married before it's easy. You fill out a form ahead of time (I think it has to be done at least six weeks before but I'm not sure) that has your personal info/passport # and info/passport # for two witnesses who cannot be related to you. You then show up and get married. No translations or anything needed. I think if either of you were married previously it gets more complicated. Just get in touch with the WC at your resort and they'll send you a form and tell you what you need. If I'm missing something I hope some of the already married Cuba ladies on here can let us know, but I'm pretty sure that's everything.

[AlexsBride]

There is a lot more to it if one person HAS been married before though. We have talked about it and FI and I have decided to do a legal wedding ceremony here in Ontario before we go to Cuba and then just have a symbolic ceremony there. It looked like it was going to cost between 600-1000 dollars to get his divorce decree translated by the Cuban embassy!

[Teebaga]

I'm getting married in 18 days from today in Varadero, everything said above is exactly what is required to get married. We filled out our paper work about 3 months ago and everything is ready for our arrival. You also need to remember to bring your birth certificate with you (FI as well). Cuba requires both your passport and birth certificate to make it legal. The resort takes care of getting the proper paper work ready for you. I would suggest you work through a travel agency, they really do take care of all the little details that can be stressful... Our travel agency accepted payment plans, we just had to put down a minimal down payment and then we had about 5 months to pay the balance. We're getting married at the Breezes Bella Costa and I can tell you that the WC from the resort have been true life savers. So far (fingers crossed) they've taken care of all of my requests/questions! Good luck, Cuba has been a great choice for us so far.

[Barrierunner]

Thanks Teebaga. We are still deciding on a travel agent, can I ask who you are using? I'm originally from the London area which isn't too far from Rodney.

All the best on your wedding day! :-)

[Teebaga]

Too funny that you're from London. We still work in London and pretty much do everything there except sleep! LOL. We are with Sell Off Vacations (QUEENS AVE LOCATION). We had some issues with the Jelna location so they switched us, since the switch I have to tell you that its truly been an amazing partnership. Dena (our TA) has been very helpful and always wanting to find us the best deals and provide us with perks. I'd recommend them 100% but again, the QUEENS Ave location ONLY. Let me know if you need more info. Our tour operator is Sungwing. We're flying out of Toronto. Still the best deal. Dena got us rooms in Toronto for $89/night and that includes our parking for the week, could not be beat. Our flight is @ 6:20am on the Sunday morning, no use in traveling at night for that price. Let me know if you need more info!

[krayzeekitty]

This is the first time that I have read anywhere that you need your birth certificates. Our wc at Playa Pesquero advised us all we need in our valid passports. ?

[itsfinallyhere]

The girls are right all you need is your passport and your tourist card number (which you receive on the way there). If you have been married before it costs $400 to have the documents translated at the Cuban consulate, and maybe about $30 for the lawyer to write an affidavit for you to bring with you. It is this affidavit that you will have translated. It really is very easy and depending on the package you choose very cost efficient. The documentations has to been there no later than 10 days before arrival (but I would never chance that). And yes your witness cannot be related to you.