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Getting married in Montserrat is easy - you can apply for a special or Governor's marriage license after being a resident for only three days on the island. This application can be made to the Department of Administration.
Department of Administration
PO Box 292, Govt Headquarters
Brades, Montserrat, B.W.I.
Email: admin@gov.ms
Tel: (664) 491-2365
Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS
There are certain conditions which must be fulfilled prior to tying the knot. For persons wishing to marry in Montserrat, there are three certificates, which can be granted before the marriage can be performed:
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a) The special or Governor's Licence,
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b) Certificates of due publication of banns and
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c) The Registrar General's certificate.
Banns must be published for three Sundays before the certificate is issued, while for the Registrar's certificate; a notice has to be posted for twenty-one days. Applicants must have the following documents:
(a) Marriage Application Form (issued by the Department of Administration),
(b) Passports of both parties, Original Absolute Divorce Decree (if divorced), Original Death
(c) Certificate of deceased spouse (if widowed),
(d) Non-Marriage Certificate (if applicable).
These must all be ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS and must be presented when the application form is submitted.
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a) All applicants under the age of eighteen years would need written parental consent for the marriage to take place.
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b) No blood test or medical certificate is required.
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c) Any documents presented in any language apart from English must be presented with a certified translation into the English language.
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d) Processing of the application takes approximately three working days to one week.
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e) The cost of the licence is EC$ 200.00, which must be paid in Montserrat stamps.
The Application Form is obtainable in Montserrat but may be sent to the applicant in advance. Applicants must complete the form and have it certified before submission. Applications must state when they wish to be married, the type of ceremony, i.e. religious or civil, and the venue, if they choose a civil ceremony (i.e. performed by the Registrar). Persons wishing to marry in Montserrat by special or Governor's licence should contact the Department of Administration soon after their arrival on island so that they can be properly advised.
