Updated for 2026
After 16 years working with couples getting married in Punta Cana, we have seen every legal scenario: US passports, UK couples with rushed apostilles, EU paperwork that did not match, last-minute symbolic ceremonies when legal documents did not arrive. This 2026 guide covers what you actually need, by nationality, with current costs and realistic timelines.
- Civil vs. Symbolic Ceremony
- General Requirements
- Requirements by Nationality
- The Apostille Walkthrough
- Frequently Asked Questions
Civil vs. Symbolic Ceremony
A civil ceremony and a symbolic ceremony will look and feel almost exactly the same when it comes to a destination wedding. The bride and groom get ready, walk down the aisle, say their vows and exchange rings, all ending with a kiss to seal the deal. Voila! So if the ceremonies look and feel the same, then what’s the difference between a civil ceremony and a symbolic ceremony? Well basically, it comes down to who’s performing the ceremony and what paperwork the couple must file beforehand.
| Aspect | Civil Ceremony | Symbolic Ceremony |
| Legally binding | Yes, DR + globally | No legal effect |
| Paperwork required | Significant | None |
| Cost (court fees) | $300 – $700 USD | $0 |
| Timing | Docs must arrive 1+ weeks before | Any time |
| Where | Civil judge at venue | Officiant anywhere |
| Most common choice | 20% destination weddings | 80% (legal done at home) |
Civil Ceremony
A civil ceremony is performed by a judge or government official of the Dominican Republic. You’ll get your marriage license from that location. There are a lot of important documents that need to be translated into Spanish, notarized, and apostilled before the wedding can take place. But I’ll go into those details later on….
Symbolic Ceremony
Most couples we work with choose to legally marry in their home country before traveling (at the courthouse, simple ceremony) and then have a beautiful symbolic ceremony in Punta Cana. This avoids paperwork stress and lets you focus on the wedding day.
A symbolic ceremony can be performed by anyone and doesn’t require paperwork. A family member, a best friend, the wedding planner, even the guy you met at the swim-up bar can perform the ceremony! But we do recommend one of the amazing wedding officiants in Punta Cana if you want your ceremony to be extra special. All the paperwork and legalities have already been taken care of so your ceremony can proceed however you like.
General Requirements for a Civil Ceremony in Punta Cana
Regardless of where you are from, to legally marry in the Dominican Republic there is a general list of documents both the bride and groom will need to submit in advance for approval to wed. There are also certain requirements you will have to follow before and during your ceremony.
Required Documents
- Original passport & copies of the bio page
- Copies of last entry stamps to the DR
- Tourist Card/Visa (if traveling from a country where one is required to enter the Dominican Republic)
- Original birth certificate and copies with legal translation in Spanish*
- Single status affidavit (a sworn declaration that you’re single and eligible to marry), translated into Spanish*
- If divorced, include a copy of the divorce certificate with legal translation*
- If widowed, include a copy of the death certificate with legal translation*
*All documents must be notarized. For US Citizens, all documents must also be apostilled.
Special Requirements Before and During Your Ceremony
- You will need to have two witnesses who are not blood relatives of the bride or groom. They must be at least 18 years of age and you will need to include copies of their passports with the documents you submit.
- Required documents must be legalized by the Dominican Consulate no more than 3 months prior to the wedding date.
- The Civil Registry Officer (officiant) performs several wedding ceremonies a week, especially during high season, so it’s best to book with the Civil Registry Office as early as possible to ensure their availability for your preferred wedding date.
- The bride and groom must be in the country for at least three business days prior to the wedding ceremony for an in person meeting with the officiant to review and finalize paperwork.
- The civil ceremony must be performed in Spanish by the officiant and usually your wedding coordinator will serve as the translator.
- Your marriage certificate will be issued in Spanish and it may take a few weeks to arrive. Keep in mind you’ll need to get it translated to the official language of your country to be accepted and registered back home.
Fees
Aside from the money that you’ll spend to translate, notarize and apostille your documents, you’ll also need to pay for a Civil Registry Officer to perform your wedding ceremony. Currently the fee is 20,000 Dominican Pesos, or roughly $340 USD (this is the officiant fee only; with certified Spanish translations and a planner handling the paperwork, most couples budget $500 to $1,200 total). Other fees may apply based on the Civil Registry Office (Oficialía del Estado Civil) or based on the resort/wedding venue. Some resorts include the fees in their pricing, while others change pricing based on the ceremony type.
Please Note: Marriage requirements and fees in the Dominican Republic are constantly changing, hence why we’re doing this 2026 update. The information above is meant to be helpful and used for guidance but should not be taken as legal advice. Please verify all requirements with your wedding coordinator or the Dominican Consulate nearest to you.
Requirements by Nationality
Depending on the country you are traveling from, there may be some additional documents you will need to submit, or specific steps you will need to take to properly prepare and legalize your documents before sending. To help avoid any setbacks, we definitely recommend hiring a
local wedding planner who is experienced in handling the paperwork required.
US Citizens
Valid passport (6+ months validity). Birth certificate with apostille from US Department of State. Affidavit of single status (notarized + apostilled). If divorced: final divorce decree with apostille. All documents translated to Spanish by a certified Dominican Republic translator.
UK Citizens
Valid passport. Birth certificate apostilled by the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office). Certificate of No Impediment (CNI). All documents apostilled and translated to Spanish.
Canadian Citizens
Valid passport. Birth certificate apostilled (Global Affairs Canada handles this since 2024). Affidavit of single status notarized + apostilled. All documents translated to Spanish.
EU Citizens
Passport. Birth certificate apostilled by your country’s authority. Certificate of no impediment. All documents translated to Spanish by a certified Dominican Republic translator.
The Apostille Walkthrough
An apostille is an international certification under the Hague Convention and it tells the Dominican government that your foreign document is legitimate. Without an apostille, your birth certificate or single-status affidavit is worthless for a civil ceremony here. Each country has its own apostille authority:
USA: Secretary of State of the state where the document was issued. 2-8 weeks. Expedited services exist.
UK: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). 1-2 weeks standard.
Canada: Global Affairs Canada (federal service since Jan 2024). 4-6 weeks. EU: Varies by country.
Our advice is to start your apostille process at least 4 months before your wedding date. The most common reason civil ceremonies fail in Punta Cana is documents not arriving on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we have to get married in our home country first?
You can do either. About 80% of destination weddings are symbolic in Punta Cana with legal marriage already done at home. The other 20% do everything in Punta Cana with a civil ceremony.
How much does a civil ceremony cost in Punta Cana 2026?
Court fees and official translations: $500 to $1200 USD. Wedding planner who handles paperwork: $500 to $1,500.
How long does the apostille process take?
2-8 weeks depending on your country of origin, then translation in the Dominican Republic (1-2 weeks).
Is a Punta Cana civil ceremony recognized at home?
Yes, if your country is in the Hague Apostille Convention. You apostille your Dominican marriage certificate after for recognition at home.
What documents are needed on the wedding day?
Both the bride and groom’s passports, and the marriage license issued by the Dominican Republic civil registry beforehand. Your wedding planner typically handles all other paperwork.
Can same-sex couples get legally married in Punta Cana?
Civil ceremonies for same-sex couples are not currently performed in the Dominican Republic. Couples typically marry legally at home and have a symbolic ceremony in Punta Cana, which has no legal restrictions.
Planning Your Punta Cana Wedding?
Whether you choose a civil or symbolic ceremony, your wedding day deserves to be remembered with beautiful photographs! For 16+ years we’ve captured civil ceremonies and symbolic celebrations, documenting real weddings at every resort and beach venue throughout Punta Cana and the surrounding areas.
Contact Us with your wedding date to confirm our availability and start planning the photo and video coverage for your special day!
And be sure to check out our Punta Cana Wedding Checklist, a complete guide to planning your destination wedding!
