Dutch Side St Maarten Marriage Legal Requirements

Legal requirements for getting married in St. Maarten

Couples planning on getting married in St. Maarten must be at least 18 years of age and their request must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the scheduled ceremony to be conducted by the Registrar.  The following notarized original documents must be submitted to the Registrar with the request:

  • Each party must provide a full abridged birth certificate to prove the legality of the document.  The document should be provided with an Apostille stamp which can be obtained at the Secretary of State’s office in the various states in the U.S.  In Canada, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Dutch Consulate have to legalize the document.
  • Unmarried parties must present a declaration of marital status which is not more than 3 months old.
  • The address of each party must be furnished.
  • Provide the names of the parents of each party and the maiden names of the mothers.
  • Provide the date and place of birth of each parent.
  • Provide the professions of the bride and groom and of their parents.
  • Non-Dutch witnesses must present a valid passport or a birth certificate with a picture I.D.
  • A party who is a widow or widower must present a death certificate of the deceased spouse.
  • If either party is divorced, they must present a divorce certificate or a final judgment decree.
  • Written permission of the parents is required for minors.
  • If either person is not of Dutch nationality, a valid passport is required.
  • Original documents other than Dutch or English need to be translated into the Dutch language (i.e., a French or Spanish document must be translated into Dutch, not English)
  • The bride and groom must be at least 21 years of age.
  • Persons of the Netherlands nationality should be 23 years and over
  • Valid Passport.
  • If Divorced, a divorce Certificate or a final judgment decree.
  • You will need six witnesses are if the wedding is performed outside the Marriage Hall, if the Marriage is performed at the Marriage Hall you need two witnesses (minimum 18 years old)

All documents should not be older than three months when they are submitted to the Registry Office.

Please note that all documents must be translated into the Dutch language by an official translator and/ or by a Notary Public with their signature, stamps and seal.

Most couple choose the Dutch side because the French side requires you to spend a month to get married.