Puerto Rico

Department of Tourism website: www.topeurtorico.org
Image: Courtesy of Puerto Rico Tourism Company

 
Puerto Rico, the “Island of Enchantment” is a very popular choice for a destination wedding.  The island is small, but not lacking in amenities to please visitors to the island. The people of Puerto Rico are known for being friendly and proud of their rich Hispanic heritage.

 Choices in wedding venues are endless and varied including mountaintop hideaways and beachfront resorts with many resources available to plan the wedding of your dreams. Romantic and picturesque, plentiful in activities and beauty – definitely a destination to consider. 

 Quick Facts

• Language:       Spanish and English
• Passport:        Not required for US citizens
• Currency:         US$
• Time Zone:       Atlantic Standard (-4 GMT). Puerto Rico does not observe Daylight Savings Time.  
• Major Airport:  Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan
• Weather:  The average temperature (year round) is a balmy 80 degrees.  The peak season is December through April and can experience hurricanes between May and November.

Marriage Requirements

There is a fair amount of paperwork and process for getting married in Puerto Rico and we recommend that you obtain assistance from a local wedding planner to ensure that all of the requirements are met.  At least two month prior to the wedding, you should request marriage license papers (in writing) from the Dept. of Health, Demographic Registry Office. If previously married you must provide a 'certified' copy of the final divorce decree or death certificate.

There is no residency requirement on Puerto Rico but blood tests are required.  They can be performed in the U.S. ten days before you arrive in Puerto Rico. You will also need to have a physical while on the island because a physician in Puerto Rico must provide a medical certificate which is good for 14 days. Finally you must visit the Marriage License Bureau to have all the documents authenticated.