John is his Name

There’s an American island in the Caribbean that’s paradise for romance and lovers. Beautiful, lush, tropical rainforest, majestic mountains, exotic beaches including bioluminescent bays.

Welcome to Puerto Rico! Puerto Ricans, or Boricuas as they are referred to locally, are warm, charming, hospitable, passionate, and spirited people; with a rich history and cultural traditions inherited from their Taino, Spanish and African ancestors.

Puerto Rico comprises the main island, four small islands and hundreds of cays and islets. And although only 100 miles long and 35 miles wide, there’s an incredible variety of places to see, lots of activities to engage in and ‘Boricuas’ waiting to welcome you and share their island with you.

Puerto Rico’s accommodations run the gamut! An eco-retreat nuzzled in a bird sanctuary, a small hotel or guest house in a nature reserve, vacation rentals of every class on the beach or in the mountains, an elegant hotel in the Old San Juan Historic District or opulent white sand beach resorts offering every amenity you could imagine.

Experience Puerto Rico’s Latin flair by sharing in the island’s rich culture. Join in as they celebrate their festivals and traditions, their arts and music – dance the rhythm of salsa and reggaetón, feast on local dishes and sip on refreshing cocktails.

The perfect ambience to celebrate your love in this tropical setting, warm sandy beaches, luxury accommodations and golden sunsets. Bask in the lazy days and kick up your heels as evening ignites with swinging bars, pulsating music and a choice of restaurants on every corner.

Marriage Requirements for Puerto Rico

Following are all the practical details you need to make sure that your wedding goes off without a hitch. The following documents are required and once you arrive in Puerto Rico, should be submitted to:

Registro Demográfico de Puerto Rico
Fernandez Juncos Station
PO Box 11854
San Juan, PR 00910

If you’re a citizen of a country other than the United States, be sure that all of your documents are translated into either English or Spanish.

• Identification

• A valid government-issued ID, like a passport, state identification, or a driver’s license. Whichever form of ID you choose to present, check that it’s current and in good condition; if it’s expired or mutilated, you’ll be out of luck.

• Each party must provide a birth certificate. Can’t bring the original? Make sure that you have a high-quality photocopy. If either spouse’s legal name doesn’t match what’s on the birth certificate, you’ll need sealed and certified change-of-name evidence.

• Both parties must be deemed healthy before your wedding gets the green light. If at least one party is a Puerto Rico resident, then both of you need to go for blood tests. If both parties live outside of Puerto Rico, blood tests aren’t required to get married there unless your home country or state requires them.
• Both parties need to bring a letter from a doctor certifying that you’re each in good health. The note must state that, according to the requirements of the country or state in which you live, you’re medically approved to get married. If your home country or state does not require blood work, be sure that it’s clearly stated in the note, which should be written on either the doctor’s letterhead or prescription pad. Both parties can be included on the same document, or you can bring a separate one for each party. Letters must be dated within 10 days prior to the wedding.
• In lieu of a note from a doctor, you can opt to bring one from a certified nurse practitioner.

• Be prepared with an Affidavit stating that you’re coming to Puerto Rico specifically to get married and that you’ll return to your place of residence after the wedding. The sworn statement must be obtained within 10 days prior to the wedding. You can secure one from a lawyer or from a notary public, and it must be accompanied by certification from the County Clerk, which in some cases might be the Secretary of State.
• If you aren’t able to take care of the affidavit before you get there, don’t worry. You can have a local attorney prepare it when you arrive.

• You’ll need to visit a colecturía (government office) and purchase a special stamp for $150, which you’ll include when you submit your paperwork.

• If either party is divorced, bring original copies of divorce decrees from all previous marriages. In the case of a widowhood, bring the deceased spouse’s death certificate.

• Your officiant must be registered to preside over weddings in Puerto Rico. If you’re set on having someone from home perform the ceremony, your best bet is to hire a local to serve as the Officiant of Record on the legal documentation.
• The Officiant of Record must file the paperwork within 10 days after the wedding. Roughly three weeks after the wedding, you can apply online at vitalchek.com to order a copy of your official marriage certificate. Alternatively, you can stop into a Puerto Rico Demographic Office to make the ask in person.

Important Links for Puerto Rico

To learn more about Puerto Rico, please see the important links below:

Entry Requirements for Puerto Rico

https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/info/travel-guidelines

How to Get to Puerto Rico

https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/transportation

Places to Stay in Puerto Rico

https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/places-to-stay

Things To Do in Puerto Rico

https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/things-to-do

Getting Around Puerto Rico

https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/transportation

Events in Puerto Rico

https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/things-to-do/events

Dining in Puerto Rico

Culinary: https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/island/culinary-cocktails
Restaurants: https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/restaurants