Grenada Marriage License: The 2026 Walkthrough for Foreigners
Three working days on island, EC $300 at the Ministry of Legal Affairs, a passport, a birth certificate and two witnesses. Grenada's marriage law is short — but every line in it can derail a wedding if you arrive without the right paperwork. Here's how the process actually runs in 2026, step by step.
The short answer
To get legally married in Grenada you must be resident on the island for three working days before the wedding date, then pay an EC $300 (USD $112) license fee at the Ministry of Legal Affairs in St. George's and present original passport, birth certificate, decree absolute (if divorced) and death certificate (if widowed), plus two witnesses over 18. There is no blood test, no premarital counseling and no religious requirement; same-sex marriages are not currently recognised under Grenadian law.
3-day residency rule
Three working days on the ground before your wedding date — no exceptions, no shortcuts. The clock starts the moment the Ministry accepts your application, not when your plane lands.
EC $300 license fee
Paid in cash at the Ministry of Legal Affairs in St. George's. Roughly USD $112 at the pegged exchange rate. Receipt goes into your file the same day.
No blood test required
Unlike some Caribbean jurisdictions, Grenada does not require medical clearances, blood work or premarital counseling — only documents, a fee and a three-day wait.
How Grenada's marriage law actually works
Grenada operates a civil marriage regime under the Marriage Act, administered by the Ministry of Legal Affairs in St. George's. For foreigners, the process is unusually streamlined compared with most of the Eastern Caribbean: no blood test, no premarital counseling, no parental consent for adults, no religious requirement. What it does demand is residency. Both partners must be physically present in Grenada for three working days (i.e. business days, Monday–Friday excluding public holidays) before the license is issued. That window is non-negotiable — there is no premium fast-track, no 'special license' available to tourists, and the Ministry will not backdate filings to compress the wait.
The fee itself is fixed at EC $300 — roughly USD $112 at the Eastern Caribbean dollar's pegged exchange rate of 2.7 EC to 1 USD. That covers only the marriage license. Officiants charge separately (USD $80–250 for a civil celebrant, more for a clergy ceremony at a specific church), and the ceremony itself can be hosted anywhere on the island — beach, villa, hotel terrace, garden, or inside a church if a minister is officiating. The only legal requirement for the ceremony is the presence of an authorised officiant, both partners and two witnesses over the age of 18, who must carry photo ID to sign the register.
Two important caveats. First, same-sex marriage is not currently recognised under Grenadian law — the Marriage Act defines marriage as between a man and a woman, and a same-sex ceremony performed here will not produce a legally valid marriage certificate. Couples wanting a symbolic ceremony can still hold one (vow renewals and commitment ceremonies are unregulated), but it carries no legal weight at home or in Grenada. Second, every foreign-language document — birth certificates, decrees absolute, death certificates — must be accompanied by an English translation certified by a notary or sworn translator. Couples from non-English-speaking countries should organise translations and apostilles before they fly.
From arrival to certificate: the full walkthrough
This is the timeline that planners, resort wedding coordinators and the Ministry itself recommend. It assumes a Saturday wedding, an arrival on Tuesday afternoon and standard documentation — adjust the weekday count if you're trying to marry on a Friday or land into a public holiday.
Day −3 (Tuesday): land in Grenada with the document packet
Arrive at Maurice Bishop International before 2 pm so you can clear immigration and reach the Ministry by mid-afternoon if needed. Most planners suggest using the Tuesday arrival itself as a buffer — collect rental car, check in, decompress — and saving the Ministry visit for the Wednesday morning slot. Every original document you'll need must be in your carry-on, not checked luggage: passports get water damage, decrees absolute get lost, and the Ministry will not accept photocopies or phone scans.
What you'll need
- Both partners' passports (valid for at least 6 months beyond travel)
- Original long-form birth certificates (with parents' names)
- Decree absolute if either partner is divorced — must be final, dated at least 12 months before the wedding
- Death certificate of previous spouse if either partner is widowed
- Deed poll or court order for any legal name change
- Two passport-style photos each (some planners request these for the file)
Day −2 (Wednesday morning): travel to the Ministry of Legal Affairs
The Ministry of Legal Affairs sits in the Botanical Gardens compound on Tanteen, central St. George's, a 25–35 minute drive from Grand Anse and most south-coast resorts. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:00 pm, with a closed lunch window roughly 12:30–1:30. Aim to arrive by 9:00 am to beat queues, and budget 45–90 minutes for the appointment depending on staffing. Bring a wedding planner or resort coordinator if you have one — they know the clerks, the required formatting and the common rejection reasons, and can speak for you if a document is questioned.
What you'll need
- All documents from Day −3 (passports, birth certificates, decrees, etc.)
- Completed marriage application form (provided on arrival or downloadable from the Ministry)
- Local Grenadian address you'll be staying at (resort, villa, Airbnb)
- Officiant's name and registration number (your planner provides this)
Day −2 (Wednesday): submit the application and pay EC $300
The Ministry clerk verifies each document, witnesses both partners signing the declaration, and processes the EC $300 (USD $112) fee. Payment is in cash only — EC dollars or USD, but EC is faster. A receipt is issued on the spot and your file enters the three-working-day waiting period. From the moment your application is accepted, the clock runs: Wednesday counts as day one if accepted before close of business, with Thursday day two and Friday day three. The license becomes issuable on the following Monday for a midweek wedding, or on Saturday for a Saturday wedding only if Wednesday counted as day one.
What you'll need
- EC $300 cash (USD $112 equivalent accepted but slower)
- Receipt — keep this; the officiant will need to see it
- Application reference number (write it down separately)
Day −1 (Friday): collect the marriage license
Once the three working days have elapsed, the marriage license is ready for collection. Either partner can pick it up — Grenada doesn't require both to attend — but most planners and resort coordinators collect on your behalf the morning before the ceremony so you don't lose half a day to admin. The license is valid for three months from issue, so there's no risk of it expiring before a Saturday or Sunday ceremony. Bring the receipt from Day −2 and a photo ID to collect.
What you'll need
- Payment receipt from Day −2
- Photo ID (passport)
- A document folder — the license is a single sheet that mustn't get creased
Day 0 (Saturday): the ceremony itself
The officiant runs the ceremony at your chosen venue — beach, villa, hotel terrace, garden, church. Ceremonies typically last 20–30 minutes for a civil service; religious ceremonies in a church can run 45–60 minutes plus the homily. After the vows and exchange of rings, both partners, both witnesses and the officiant sign the marriage register and the original license. Witnesses must be over 18 and able to present photo ID; they can be friends, family, hotel staff, your photographer, or anyone else of legal age — there's no nationality or residency requirement for witnesses.
What you'll need
- Original marriage license collected on Day −1
- Both partners present with passports
- Two witnesses with photo ID (over 18)
- Authorised officiant — civil celebrant, registered minister, or marriage officer
- Wedding rings (symbolic, not legally required)
Day 0 (post-ceremony): officiant registers the marriage
The officiant takes the signed register and license back to the Ministry of Legal Affairs within a few working days to formally register the marriage. From this point you are legally married — the ceremony date is the legal date of marriage, not the certificate issue date. If you fly out the next day you are already legally a married couple in Grenada and (subject to apostille) in your home country. The Ministry processes the registration internally and prepares your official marriage certificate.
What you'll need
- Signed marriage register (officiant handles this)
- Signed original license (officiant handles this)
- Officiant's marriage officer registration (already on file)
Day +5 to +10: collect the official certificate (or have it couriered)
The official marriage certificate is typically ready 5–10 working days after the ceremony. Most couples have already flown home by then, so the Ministry can release the certificate to a designated representative — your planner, your hotel coordinator, or a local courier — who collects on your behalf. Standard practice is for the planner to courier the certificate (DHL or FedEx, USD $40–80) to your home address with tracking. If you need the certificate apostilled for use overseas, that's a separate step at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also in St. George's, adding another EC $50 (USD $19) and 3–5 working days.
What you'll need
- Letter of authorisation if a third party collects on your behalf
- Copy of one partner's passport (for ID verification at pickup)
- Courier waybill if you want it shipped home
- Separate application for apostille if needed for use abroad
Every fee, line by line
These are the 2026 fees a couple should plan for if both partners are foreigners marrying in Grenada. The Ministry fees are fixed by statute; officiant and courier costs vary by provider, with the ranges below reflecting the going market rate.
| Item | Fee (EC$) | Fee (USD approx) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage license | EC $300 | USD $112 | Fixed statutory fee at Ministry of Legal Affairs — cash only |
| Civil officiant fee | EC $215 – $675 | USD $80 – $250 | Independent celebrant or marriage officer; varies by experience and travel |
| Religious / church officiant | EC $400 – $1,350 | USD $150 – $500 | Donation to church plus minister's fee; varies widely by denomination |
| Certified copies of certificate | EC $25 each | USD $9 each | Most couples order 2–3 originals for legal use back home |
| Apostille at Ministry of Foreign Affairs | EC $50 | USD $19 | Required for legal recognition in most home countries; 3–5 working days |
| Courier of certificate to home address | EC $110 – $215 | USD $40 – $80 | DHL or FedEx tracked; charged by planner or coordinator |
| Translation of foreign documents | EC $80 – $215 per page | USD $30 – $80 per page | Only if your documents are not in English; arrange before travel |
| Witness service (if no friends/family) | Free – EC $135 | Free – USD $50 | Most planners and photographers serve as witnesses at no charge |
Fees verified June 2026 with the Ministry of Legal Affairs and active Grenadian wedding planners. EC$ to USD conversions use the fixed exchange rate of EC $2.7 = USD $1. Cash is preferred at the Ministry; ATMs in St. George's dispense EC$ but rarely USD.
The final document checklist
Pack these in your carry-on, not your checked luggage. Originals only — the Ministry of Legal Affairs will not accept photocopies, certified copies, scans or photographs of any document. If anything below is missing or incorrect on the day of your application, you'll be turned away and the three-day clock won't start.
- Both partners' passports — valid for at least 6 months beyond travel dates
- Original long-form birth certificates showing both parents' full names
- Decree absolute from any previous divorce — must be final, issued at least 12 months before the wedding date
- Death certificate of any deceased prior spouse (original or certified copy)
- Deed poll, marriage certificate or court order documenting any legal name change since birth
- Photo ID for both witnesses — passports or government IDs, must show age 18 or over
- Certified English translation of any document originally in another language
- Apostille on foreign documents if your home country is in the Hague Convention
- EC $300 in cash for the license fee (USD $112 equivalent works but EC is faster)
- Local Grenada address — your resort, villa or accommodation booking confirmation
Mistakes the Ministry sees every month
Wedding planners on the island can usually name the same five reasons applications get rejected or delayed. Avoid all of them and your Ministry visit takes 45 minutes instead of a return trip the following day.
Decree absolute dated less than 12 months ago
Grenada requires the final decree of divorce to be at least 12 months old at the date of the marriage. A decree dated 11 months and 28 days prior will be rejected. This is the single most common reason foreign applications fail. If your divorce was recent, time the wedding date accordingly or wait — there is no waiver.
Name discrepancies across documents
If your passport says 'Sarah Jane Wilson' and your birth certificate says 'Sarah J. Wilson' or 'Sarah Jane Smith' (maiden name), you need a deed poll, marriage certificate or court order tying the names together. Even spelling variants and missing middle names get queried. Bring documentation for every name change since birth.
Non-English documents without certified translation and apostille
Every foreign-language document must arrive with a certified English translation from a notary or sworn translator, plus an apostille (or equivalent legalisation for non-Hague countries). Couples from Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and Latin America most often forget the apostille step — arrange both in your home country at least four weeks before travel.
Arriving during a public holiday week
Grenada has 14 official public holidays and the Ministry closes for all of them — Independence Day (7 February), Good Friday and Easter Monday, Labour Day, Whit Monday, Corpus Christi, Emancipation Day (1 August), Carnival Monday and Tuesday (mid-August), Thanksgiving (25 October), Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Each closed day adds a day to your three-working-day wait. Check the Ministry's holiday schedule before booking flights, especially around February Independence and August Carnival.
Frequently asked questions
Can the three-working-day residency requirement be waived?
No. The three-working-day rule is set by Grenada's Marriage Act and applies equally to all foreigners regardless of nationality, fee paid, or relationship to local residents. There is no fast-track licence, no special tourist licence and no premium option to compress the wait. Plan a minimum of five days on island (three working days plus a buffer plus the ceremony day).
Is a blood test or medical certificate required?
No. Grenada does not require blood tests, HIV screening, rubella immunity certificates or any other medical clearance to marry. This sets it apart from a few other Caribbean jurisdictions (notably the Dominican Republic) and is one of the reasons elopement couples choose Grenada — there's nothing medical to organise before you fly.
Do we have to attend premarital counseling?
No. Premarital counseling is not required for civil marriages in Grenada. Some churches request it for religious ceremonies — typically a single conversation with the officiating minister rather than a formal course — but the civil license issued by the Ministry of Legal Affairs has no counseling component.
How many witnesses do we need and what are the rules?
Two witnesses are required, both over the age of 18, and both must present government-issued photo ID at the ceremony to sign the marriage register. Witnesses don't need to be Grenadian residents, family, or even friends — hotel staff, your wedding planner, your photographer or another guest can all serve. Most planners can supply local witnesses at no charge if you're eloping as a couple.
Can the ceremony happen on the fourth day after we arrive?
Yes — provided your Ministry application was accepted on day one and the next three days were all working days (Monday–Friday, no public holidays). For a Saturday wedding that typically means landing on Tuesday before close of business, filing on Wednesday morning (day one), waiting Thursday and Friday (days two and three), and marrying on Saturday (day four). Weekends and holidays don't count toward the three-day requirement.
How quickly do we get a certified copy of the marriage certificate?
Official certificates are typically ready for collection 5–10 working days after the ceremony. Most foreign couples have flown home by then, so the Ministry releases the certificate to an authorised representative (your planner or coordinator) who couriers it to your home address via DHL or FedEx. Order two or three certified copies (EC $25 each) — your bank, immigration and any name-change application will each want an original.
Do we need to apostille the certificate for use in our home country?
Most likely yes. If your home country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, most of the EU and 100+ others), you'll need the Grenadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to apostille the marriage certificate before it's accepted for name changes, immigration and other legal use. Apostille costs EC $50 (about USD $19) and takes 3–5 working days. Non-Hague countries require consular legalisation instead — check with your nearest Grenadian embassy.
Is same-sex marriage recognised in Grenada?
No. The Marriage Act defines marriage as between a man and a woman, and the Ministry of Legal Affairs does not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. A symbolic commitment ceremony or vow renewal can still be performed by a celebrant at any venue, but it has no legal effect either in Grenada or back home. Couples seeking a legal same-sex marriage in the region typically marry in Aruba, Curaçao or the US Virgin Islands instead.
Build the rest of your wedding around the legal piece
The license is the smallest line item on most wedding budgets, but the residency window shapes everything else — flights, accommodation, photographer arrival day. These pages cover the rest of the planning around it.
Planners who handle paperwork
Local pros who file your license and avoid mistakes