Requirements to get married in Cuba. Know all the details!

If you want to get married soon in Cuba and have doubts about the legal procedure to get married, you are in the right place. In this article we explain step by step how to get married in Cuba.

Although we see our wedding day as a fundamentally symbolic event, the fact of getting married implies a whole legal process that supports said union in accordance with the current Civil Status Registry Law in Cuba. In addition, the procedures vary according to the citizenship and residence of the couple.

The first thing you should know is that unions are allowed between:

• Cuban citizens residing in Cuba
• Cubans residing on the Island and Cubans residing in another country
• Cubans residing abroad
• Cubans and foreigners residing in Cuba
• Cubans residing in Cuba and foreign citizens residing outside of Cuba
• Foreigners who get married during their visits to Cuba

Marriage between Cuban citizens residing in Cuba

The bride and groom must visit the notary’s office closest to their home with their identification documents (identity card), in the company of two witnesses who will also present their identification.

• If one or both spouses are divorced, must present the Certificate of Divorce issued by the Registry of Civil Status. In the case of the woman, if 300 days have not yet elapsed after the divorce, she must also present a medical certificate that clarifies whether she is pregnant or not in order to determine the paternity of the child.
• If a spouse is under 18 years of age, must present the public deed granted before a Notary, which allows her to marry in Cuba authorized by her legal guardians.
• If one or both spouses are widowed, they must submit, as appropriate: widow’s certificate, marriage certificate and death certificate of the spouse or marriage certificate with note of widowhood of the spouse.

Cubans residing on the Island and Cubans residing in another country

The Cuban citizen residing in Cuba must present:

1. Identity document
2. Two witnesses who meet all the requirements
3. If the marital status is divorced, the following documentation must be included: certificate of divorce or previous marriage with divorce certificate, issued by the Civil Registry. If she is a woman and 300 days have not elapsed since the termination of the previous marriage, she must submit a medical certificate detailing whether she is pregnant.
4. If the person is a widower, he or she must present, as appropriate, the certificate of widowhood, of marriage with note of widowhood of the ex-spouse or of marriage and death certificate of the ex-partner
5. If you are a minor, you must present the public deed with the authorization of your legal guardians, to marry granted before a Notary.

The Cuban citizen residing abroad must present:

1. Cuban passport
2. Authorization of entry and stay: Cuban emigrants can stay in Cuba for 90 days, that permit can be extended by making the request at the Offices of the Directorate of Identification, Immigration and Aliens in Cuba
3. If you are divorced, you must show: Certificate of divorce or previous marriage with the divorce note and, if you are a woman, you must do the same as the Cuban citizen residing in the country
4. If you are a widower, you must present the same documents as the Cuban citizen residing in the country
5. If you are a minor, you must present authorization from your legal guardians before a Notary to marry

Cubans residing abroad

Cubans residing abroad who wish to get married in Cuba must do so at the Specialized Services Law Firms or at the International Legal Consultancy. The requirements are:

1. Cuban passport
2. Permission to enter and remain in the national territory
3. If any of the spouses is divorced, they must show: Certification of separation or previous marriage with a divorce certificate. If you are a woman, present a medical certificate to find out if she is pregnant.
4. If one of the two members of the couple is a widower, they will present: Certification of widowhood or marriage with note of widowhood; or marriage certificate and death certificate of the former spouse.
5. If you are a minor, you must present authorization from your legal guardians before a Notary to marry

Foreign citizen:

1. Birth certificate
2. Valid passport or identity document. In the case of foreigners who temporarily or permanently reside in Cuba, they must present their temporary or permanent residence card in the country.
3. Documentation of singleness or affidavit authorized by a notary, if you are single. This document prescribes after 6 months of being issued.
4. If you are a woman, you must show a medical certificate specifying in case of pregnancy to determine the paternity of the future child.
5. In case of being divorced, you need to present the final divorce decree
6. If the foreign citizen is a minor, he must present the public authorization of the legal guardians before a Notary to marry in Cuba.

If the foreign person is a widow, he must submit: widowhood certificate, marriage certificate with note of widowhood of the spouse or marriage and death certificate of the spouse

All the documents to be presented by the foreign citizen must be translated into Spanish, to be legalized in the consulate of the Republic of Cuba that corresponds to the country of residence.

Cubans residing in Cuba and foreign citizens residing outside of Cuba

Getting married in Cuba with a foreigner can be through the International Legal Consultancy or in the Specialized Services Law Firms. The requirements for the Cuban citizen are:

The Cuban citizen residing in Cuba must present:

1. Identity document
2. Two witnesses who meet all the requirements
3. If the marital status is divorced, the following documentation must be included: certificate of divorce or previous marriage with divorce certificate, issued by the Civil Registry. If you are a woman and 300 days have not elapsed since the termination of the previous marriage, you must submit a medical certificate detailing whether she is pregnant
4. If the person is a widower, he or she must present, as appropriate, the certificate of widowhood, of marriage with note of widowhood of the ex-spouse or of marriage and death certificate of the ex-partner
5. If you are a minor, you must present the public deed with the authorization of your legal guardians, to marry granted before a Notary.

For the foreign citizen residing outside of Cuba:

1. Birth certificate
2. Passport or identity document with the boarding pass or tourist visa
3. Documentation of singleness or affidavit authorized by a notary, if he is single. This document prescribes after 6 months of being issued.
4. If you are a woman, you must show a medical certificate specifying in case of pregnancy to determine the paternity of the future child.
5. In case of being divorced, you need to present the final divorce decree
6. If the foreign citizen is a minor, he must present the public authorization of the legal guardians before a Notary to marry in Cuba.

All the documents to be presented by the foreign citizen must be translated into Spanish, to be legalized in the consulate of the Republic of Cuba that corresponds to the country of residence.

Foreigners who get married during their visits to Cuba

The union can be done through International Legal Consulting or Specialized Law Firms. For this they must present:

1. Birth certificate
2. Passport, valid identity document or tourist visa
3. If you are single, submit a declaration of singleness authorized by a notary
4. If you are a woman, show a medical certificate of proof or not of pregnancy
5. Divorce decree in case of being divorced
6. If widowed, death certificate of former spouse
7. Minors must present a deed of parental authorization to marry, granted before a notary

As in all cases of foreign involvement, all certificates and documents must be translated into Spanish and must be legalized by the Cuban Consulate in your country of residence.

At this point, you just need to start planning your wedding to say YES I DO. Remember that we can help you with the organization of events in Cuba. CLICK HERE to see our Wedding Packages in Cuba.