English Speaking Judge or Justice of the peace

[TBApril30]

Hi everyone,

 

My name is Tamy and I am getting married on April 30th in Cap Cana. We already have a judge for the ceremony but he only speaks Spanish : ( I am trying to find an English speaking judge or justice of the peace in the Punta Cana area. I would appreciate any suggestions.

 

Thanks.

Tamy

[TammyWright]

welcome to the forum.

 

why would you think that the judge of another country would preside over a legal ceremony in a language other than the language of the country?

 

would US judges preside over court in other languages, like spanish or chinese just because the defendant was latin or asian?

 

if you really want the ceremony in english have you thought of doing a symbolic ceremony with an english speaking officiant?

 

here are the top 5 languages spoken around the world. english is 3rd and less than half the amount of mandarin but we do not expect other countries to speak mandarin even though it has such high numbers.

 

1. Mandarin Chinese - 882 million

2. Spanish - 325 million

3. English - 312-380 million

4. Arabic - 206-422 million

5. Hindi - 181 million

[TBApril30]

I understand what you are saying but you can definitely find a judge or JP in the US who speaks Spanish and who would be willing to perform a ceremony in Spanish.

[tracy0716]

Hi Tammy. Congrats and welcome to the forum. I know a lot of girls are using Pastor Rick York since he speaks English and can personalize your ceremony. But I don't think these ceremonies are legal. If you really want a legal ceremony you have to use a judge and it will almost definitely be in Spanish. Your WC or a family member/friend can translate as he speaks. I know it's preferred to understand the ceremony but you're in the DR and their official language is Spanish. Personally I think the Spanish language is beautiful and adds a romantic touch to the ceremony. Good luck with your search and enjoy your wedding day!!

[TammyWright]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBApril30 I understand what you are saying but you can definitely find a judge or JP in the US who speaks Spanish and who would be willing to perform a ceremony in Spanish.

in the US pretty much get ANYONE can go online, get certified and perform the ceremony naked with a lit sparkler coming out of his bum if they want but that doesn't mean that is ok in other countries.

in the DR as in mexico, legal ceremonies are taken very seriously and only a few people (usually judges) are allowed to perform them. the legal ceremonies are pretty standard but if you want a customized ceremony, you may want to consider an officiant that can perform the ceremony how you want it...maybe do the legal ceremony before or after the symbolic one.

i just find it a little ethnocentric when people go to other countries to get married and have such an issue with the legal ceremony being performed in the official language of that country.

[Mere]

Hello Tamy. Congratulations to you. Welcome to this helpful forum. We are getting married legally in the US and then having a symbolic ceremony in Mexico. The symbolic ceremony will be performed in English by an officiant. I do know that a legal ceremony in Mexico is always performed in Spanish and the translated in English by request. Of course it took me a lot of searching to find that out-LOL. I wish you the best of luck. Happy Planning.

[aubry]

good luck and welcome!

[DWbridetobe]

Congratulations on your engagement, and welcome to the forum!