transferring marriage license to United States

swojdyla · April 10, 2011

Hi everyone, Just wondering if anyone has had any problems transferring their marriage license to the United States after being married in the Dominican Republic. I was hoping to be married in a Catholic ceremony in Punta Cana and have everything translated to English to then have our marriage be legal in the United States. I'm really not a fan of getting married before we go down, so then people were telling me I should maybe get married again in the states after our ceremony in Punta Cana. Any thoughts? Has anyone run into problems with the United States not recognizing a marriage in Punta Cana? I need some guidance here!! Are there any steps I'm missing? lol Thanks ahead of time!!

bella2140 · April 27, 2011

Hi there, I am actually going through the same process. We are having a Catholic ceremony at Altos de Chavon. The priest there is taking care of our religious documents, however, it seems fishy when it came to legalities. We were told we would have to go to Santo Domingo after the wedding to pick up the documents to make it legal. We didn't like the sound of this and really don't want to be married first either. I got in touch with Isabel from wedo.com.do and she seems to know her stuff. Says we do not have to marry first and she can handle all legalities, even translate our marriage license when we return home! Hope this helps!

swojdyla · April 27, 2011

I'm so glad you responded to my thread. I was getting concerned no one could help me. haha Well I leave for punta cana this Saturday. I'm hoping that once I'm there I will understand this all a little better. From what I understand...my parish priest will complete our pre-cana, then those documents get sent to the D.R. who will perform the ceremony and take care of legalization stuff. Iâ€™m looking into somewhere here in NJ to translate the marriage license. I'm wondering if anyone has run into problems actually using their marriage license here in the states...know what I mean (changing name etc)? I have received all my info from the Jesus Maestro Parish. They sent me a pdf file with all the requirements needed. What is the cost to use wedo.com? When I come back from punta cana if I find out anything different I will definitely let you know! What resort are you having your reception at? I'm hoping to make my decision next week when I'm down there visiting!!!

bella2140 · April 28, 2011

We are getting married at Dreams la Romana. While we were there we met with the priest who will be marrying us and he took all of the religious documents. We completed our pre-cana in March and got a letter from the parish stating we could be married outside of the parish (that piece of information seems to be very important) Since we are getting married in a church and not at the resort I am hoping that the wedding coordinator can still help with the legal end of the information that we get from WEDO. I think the fee is about $300. As far as when we come back to the states, I have read from several other brides that they have no problems!! Of course I am nervous anyway. Everyone I know personally that has had a destination wedding has been married here first. It seems very legit to only be married there. I have called the NY consulate and the Embassy in DC. No one could specifically assist me but they all said it is a legal marriage as long as we take care of all paperwork. Oh yeah and have a single status affidavit for you and your fiance seems to be super important as well!!!

I will also let you know any other information as I learn it!