[nverpoorten]

I'm from Wisconsin and am getting married in jamaica what do I need to do to get wiscosin to recognize that I'm married when I get back the whole process of it
Thanks

[tickle]

If you are both US citizens choosing an island wedding in another country the marriage is generally legal and valid and recognized in the US. I suggest you contact The Attorney General's office for your state to address the procedures

Tick

[ma0641]

Is this a church wedding? Some countries are no longer accepting church weddings and require a civil service. This eliminates people just opening up a church, claiming they are an ordained minister and start marrying people. As Tick says, check locally before you commit to a Jamaican.

[tickle]

Is this a church wedding? Some countries are no longer accepting church weddings and require a civil service. This eliminates people just opening up a church, claiming they are an ordained minister and start marrying people. As Tick says, check locally before you commit to a Jamaican.

Jamaica is still a British Colony. Beach weddings are quite popular in these areas, so information on ordained ministers would be easily gathered to substantiate credentials through the British Consulate in Jamaica.

Unfortunately OP hasn't told us if one of them is Jamaican and if so, it will be easier. However original information still stands.

[Fr_Chuck]

There is nothing you do, you are married, you have a marriage license. No difference than if you went to Vegas to be married, there is nothing to file or do.

If and when you get married in a US state, they merely record that marriage ( and charge you a fee) that record is not shared on any national data base in the US.

Also I know of only a few nations that restrict church weddings, England only allows weddings in a couple churches, Canada for example require the church to be registered with the government. ( the church can be a church and not registered , just can not do weddings)

Some US states require pastors to be registered at the county.

Most areas like this have wedding packages where it is all taken care of by the tour company.

[ma0641]

Tick, we ran into this with some friends from Guatemala. The gov't there requires that you be married civily, in addition too, if you desire, a church wedding. She was a Guatemalan citizen, he was from GA. She came to the US, got married at a church here and then went back to G as a married couple where we also had another church service-we went to both. The gov't is limiting "drop in" ministers-mostly Pentecostals- from opening up store front churches in the country. Some European countries also require a civil ceremony. By the way, Jamaica has been an independent country since the 60's, I believe.

[ScottGem]

As far as I know all countries require that couples obtain a marriage license from a civil authority and that clergy be recognized with the ability to perform marriages.

The issue is not that church weddings aren't recognized, but that churches be authorized to perform weddings.

[Fr_Chuck]

Agree with Scott, all marriages have to be done under the laws of the government, in most areas ministers are allowed to do that service. In some areas those are limited to various denominatins.

After that, once you are legally married in one country, most reconise that marriage in another ( unless it is an illegal by their terms)

[this8384]

i'm from wisconsin and am getting married in jamaica what do i need to do to get wiscosin to reconize that i'm married when i get back the whole process of it
thanks

Wisconsin.gov - License - Details