How to Get Married in Cuba — Complete Guide
Getting married in Cuba
Canadian getting married in cuba
The legal marriage in Cuba is a civil act formalized before a notary or civil registry. For foreign couples this typically requires collecting official documents (such as long-form birth certificates and a certificate or affidavit of single status), translating them into Spanish when necessary, having them legalized for use in Cuba, and coordinating the ceremony and signatures with the Cuban notary or registry.
Key practical points:
- The official language for all legal procedures is Spanish. If you do not speak Spanish you will need an interpreter or a planner who provides language support.
- Only a civil ceremony performed before the appropriate Cuban authority creates legal marriage status; symbolic ceremonies do not replace the civil process.
- Local processing times and municipal requirements may vary—plan ahead and allow extra days on arrival for any last-minute steps.
How much does it cost to get married in Cuba
Costs vary depending on whether you only complete the legal formalization (notary/registry) or also hold a full wedding celebration (venue, catering, photography, etc.). Below are reasonable estimates to help planning and budgeting. All amounts are approximate and should be confirmed locally before finalizing plans.
Estimated cost table
| Item | Estimated cost (approx.) |
| Notary / civil formalization (marriage between a Cuban and a foreigner, standard fee) | ~13,125 CUP |
| Formalization outside office hours (additional fee) | 2,500–3,750 CUP |
| Formalization for two foreigners | ~7,500 CUP |
| Document translation, notarization and legalization (per couple, depending on country) | US$200–US$600+ |
| Complete wedding package (venue, catering, photos, planner) | US$1,000 – US$5,000+ |
Budget tips:
- Separate the legal cost (notary and legalization) from the celebration cost (venue, food, décor).
- Local fees are usually paid in Cuban currency; if you hire international suppliers or a private planner, add their service fees and translation/legalization charges.
- Bring extra funds for on-the-ground expenses and any expedited services you may need.
Getting married in Cuba from Canada
If you are planning to travel from Canada to get married in Cuba, follow these general steps:
- Documents to prepare in Canada: long-form birth certificate, certificate or affidavit of single status (or certified divorce decree / death certificate), and valid passport.
- Translations and notarization: have documents translated to Spanish if required and notarize translations if requested by Cuban authorities.
- Authentication and legalization: because Cuba does not use the Hague Apostille, Canadian documents typically must go through provincial/federal authentication processes and then be legalized for use by the Cuban consulate. Timelines and fees vary by province.
- Travel schedule: arrive several days before your planned ceremony to accommodate appointments, final translations, and any consular steps requested on arrival.
- Use a local planner or legal facilitator: many couples hire a Cuban-based planner to coordinate the notary appointment, in-country translations, and civil registry steps.
Always verify exact consular/legalization requirements with the relevant authorities well in advance to avoid delays.
How to get married in Cuba as an American
U.S. citizens follow a similar legal pathway, but there are particular procedural steps to consider:
- Prepare standard documents: long-form birth certificate, affidavit/certificate of single status, valid passport, and certified final divorce decree or death certificate when applicable.
- Multi-step legalization: because Cuba is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, U.S. documents generally require sequential steps: notarization if needed, certification by the state office (Secretary of State), authentication by the U.S. Department of State, and final legalization by the Cuban consulate. This process can take time and may require professional service assistance.
- Practical considerations: check travel advisories, payment/financial restrictions, and consular availability before travel. It is common for U.S. citizens to use a specialized service to handle legalization to minimize errors and delays.
- Confirm local acceptance: ask your Cuban planner or the notary which document formats and language requirements they specifically require to prevent rejections at the registry.
Plan for extra processing time if you are handling legalization steps from the U.S. mainland.
Marriage laws in Cuba
Cuba’s Family Code updated marriage and family law and includes important modernizations. Notably, same-sex marriage is legally recognized. Some general legal points:
- The legal minimum age to marry is 18 years old.
- Marriage must be formalized in a civil registry or before an authorized notary to be legally binding.
- Marriages performed in Cuba are generally recognized abroad, but couples should verify the registration or recognition procedures required by their home country to ensure full legal effect at home (for example, if additional steps are needed to register the marriage with their national authorities).
Always check home-country rules if you need the Cuban marriage to be registered or recorded domestically.
Marriage in Cuba requirements
Typical requirements for foreign couples (municipal practices may vary):
- Valid passports for both parties.
- Long-form birth certificates for each party, translated into Spanish if originally in another language, and legalized for use in Cuba.
- Certificate or affidavit of single status, or certified divorce decree or death certificate where applicable.
- In some cases, two adult witnesses are required.
- Payment of local notarial and registry fees.
- Official translations and consular legalizations of foreign-issued documents.
Confirm the exact list of required documents with the Cuban notary or your planner, since some local registries may require additional forms.
What documents do I need to get married in Cuba
Practical checklist of documents to prepare before travel:
- Valid passports for both parties.
- Long-form birth certificates (originals).
- Certificate or affidavit of single status, or certified final divorce decree(s), or death certificate as applicable.
- Two adult witnesses, if requested by the registry.
- Official translations into Spanish of any documents not issued in Spanish.
- Notarization and legalization of foreign documents according to your country’s process for use in Cuba.
- Funds to pay notary/registry fees and any applicable local charges.
- Copies of all documents (bring originals and several copies).
On arrival, present originals and copies to the notary/registry and follow any local instructions for filing or additional forms.
Step-by-step (recommended workflow)
- Decide whether you need a legally binding civil ceremony or only a symbolic celebration. If you need legal status, continue with the steps below.
- Assemble documents in your home country (birth certificates, affidavit of single status, divorce decrees, etc.).
- Translate and legalize documents for use in Cuba according to your country’s requirements for Cuba. This often involves provincial/state offices and the national foreign affairs and consular legalization steps.
- Hire a Cuban wedding planner or facilitator to coordinate notary appointments, in-country translations, and registry filings. A local planner reduces risk of delays.
- Travel to Cuba with a buffer — arrive several days before the ceremony in case any additional steps are needed.
- Sign and formalize the marriage before the notary or civil registry and pay required local fees.
- Obtain certified copies of the marriage certificate and arrange any additional legalization or registration required by your home country.
Practical FAQs
Q: Can foreigners marry in Cuba while visiting as tourists?
A: Yes. Foreigners can get legally married in Cuba as long as they present legalized and accepted documents and follow the notary/registry process.
Q: Is same-sex marriage legal in Cuba?
A: Yes. Cuba legally recognizes same-sex marriage under its updated family law.
Q: How long does the paperwork take?
A: Processing time varies by country and service speed: from a few days (if expedited) to several weeks when standard consular/legalization steps are required. Always allow extra time.
Q: Will Cuba recognize my foreign divorce?
A: Cuban authorities accept certified divorce decrees as proof of marital status, but the document must be properly legalized and in an accepted format.
Printable checklist for couples
- Valid passports for both partners
- Long-form birth certificates (originals)
- Certificate/affidavit of single status or certified final divorce decree(s) or death certificate(s)
- Official translations into Spanish (if needed)
- Notarization and consular/legalization of foreign documents for use in Cuba
- Reserve and confirm appointment with Cuban notary/registry
- Arrive in Cuba with at least a few days’ buffer before ceremony
- Hire local planner or facilitator (recommended)
- Arrange local payments and proof of fees paid
Getting married in Cuba can be straightforward with careful preparation. The keys to success are: assemble the correct documents early, follow the proper legalization pathway for your country, budget separately for legal and celebration costs, and work with an experienced local planner to coordinate notary and registry steps. With the right preparation you can obtain a valid civil marriage in Cuba and enjoy an unforgettable wedding experience.
