Destination Weddings Now legal in Tahiti! 1 Introduction Destination Weddings are now legal in Tahiti! Previously in French Polynesia, there was a 30-day residency requirement for North Americans wishing to be wed in the islands of T ahiti. As of May, 2009, this requirement has been lifted, North Americans can now wed the day they arrive in French Polynesia! T ahiti T ourisme North America has created this presentation to offer an overview of the process for our partners to complete all of the requirements for a legal wedding in French Polynesia. 2 Why Tahiti Location, Location, Location! W edding Chapels Overwater Bungalows Polynesian Spas T ahitian Pearls Private Islands Snorkeling & Diving History & Culture 3
Agenda Who is eligible to get married in T ahiti? How much does it cost? How long does it take? What needs to be ordered? What needs to be completed? What needs to be translated? What do I do once I have everything completed? How can I get more information? 4 Eligibility � Both spouses must be at least 18 years of age � Neither spouse can be currently married � Spouses must be of the opposite sex � The couple cannot be related by direct lineage � The couple cannot be of French origin or have French citizenship � The bride and groom must each have a witness 5 Checklist Who is eligible to get married in T ahiti? How much does it cost? How long does it take? What needs to be ordered? What needs to be completed? What needs to be translated? What do I do once I have everything completed? How can I get more information? 6
How Much Will it Cost? 1. The cost will depend on the translator and lawyer fees, however it has been estimated between $500 - $1000 USD for all costs incurred in the US prior to arriving in French Polynesia. 2. There is no cost for the French Consulate to legalize the documents 7 Checklist Who is eligible to get married in T ahiti? How much does it cost? How long does it take? What needs to be ordered? What needs to be completed? What needs to be translated? What do I do once I have everything completed? How can I get more information? 8 How Long Does it Take? • The entire process will take approximately 3 - 5 months • All paperwork must be received in T ahiti at least 45 days prior to the requested date of the wedding • W e recommend beginning with ordering certified copies of the future spouses birth certificates - which may take the longest depending on which states the couple were born in 9
Checklist Who is eligible to get married in T ahiti? How much does it cost? How long does it take? What needs to be ordered? What needs to be completed? What needs to be translated? What do I do once I have everything completed? How can I get more information? 10 What Needs to be Ordered Both future spouses will need to obtain a certified copy of their Birth Certificates If born in the Unites States: - Request a Certified Copy of the birth certificate from the Office of Vital Records of the State you were born in If born in Canada: - Request a certified copy of the birth certificate from the Provincial or T erritorial Government website 11 What Needs to be Ordered The Birth Certificates must be authenticated with an Apostille Internationally recognized authentication is achieved by obtaining an Apostille Americans: Submit the Certified Copy of the Birth Certificate to the Secretary of State’s Office of the same state that issued the Birth Certificate Canadians: The Apostille can be obtained from the Sample “Apostille” from California Provincial or Territorial Government website 12
Checklist Who is eligible to get married in T ahiti? How much does it cost? How long does it take? What needs to be ordered? What needs to be completed? What needs to be translated? What do I do once I have everything completed? How can I get more information? 13 What Needs to be Completed 1. Marriage of Foreign Citizens in French Polynesia Application completed by both future spouses 2. Letter to Mayor of Commune in desired location of wedding 3. Certificate of Non-Marital Status All forms noted above are downloadable from: www.T ahiti-T ourisme.com/W eddings/Forms 14 What Needs to be Completed If a prenuptial agreement has been created by the future spouses, this agreement must be notarized, translated by an approved translator and legalized by the French Consulate. W e recommend checking with the future spouses lawyers as to whether or not their prenuptial agreement should be introduced into the actual ceremony - as it may not be necessary. 15
What Needs to be Completed Both future spouses will need to provide: 1. Copies of their passports 2. Proof of US or Canadian residency is required by both future spouses (a utility bill with current addresses from both spouses will be accepted) 16 Checklist Who is eligible to get married in T ahiti? How much does it cost? How long does it take? What needs to be ordered? What needs to be completed? What needs to be translated? What do I do once I have everything completed? How can I get more information? 17 What Needs to be Translated The following forms must be translated into French by an approved translator and then delivered to the French Consulate by the translator lawyer* 1. The Birth Certificates 2. The “Apostilles” 3. The “Certificate of Non-Marital Status” 4. Prenuptial Agreement *Please note: Approved translators and lawyers can be found on the French Consulate’s websites. 18
Checklist Who is eligible to get married in T ahiti? How much does it cost? How long does it take? What needs to be ordered? What needs to be completed? What needs to be translated? What do I do once I have everything completed? How can I get more information? 19 Summary of Required Documents Document Translated Legalized Done! Birth Certificates � � � Apostilles � � � Already in Marriage Application � French Already in Letter to Mayor’s O � ce � French Certificate of Non-Marital � Status � � Copies of Passports � Copies of Utility Bill � Prenuptial Agreement � � � 20 Send to French Polynesia The documents need to be sent in time to ARRIVE at the mayor’s office of the chosen commune to marry in at least 45 days PRIOR to the planned wedding date . A list of mayors, the communes they represent, and their addresses are downloadable from our website. After your paperwork has been approved, you will receive a confirmation from the Mayor’s office of the chosen commune advising that the intended marriage date and time have been approved. 21
Checklist Who is eligible to get married in T ahiti? How much does it cost? How long does it take? What needs to be ordered? What needs to be completed? What needs to be translated? What do I do once I have everything completed? How can I get more information? 22 Ceremony By French law, a ceremony must take place at the city hall of the chosen commune. This ceremony is very short - and, most couples have arranged for their own ceremony through their wedding planner, travel agent, tour operator or directly with the accommodating hotel. If the future spouses do not have witnesses, the mayor of the commune can provide them. Following the ceremony at city hall, actually wedding ceremonies can be held anywhere. In the resorts overwater chapel, on the beach, on a hilltop - wherever the bride and groom choose. 23 Marriage Certificate The Mayor of the Commune which has performed the ceremony will provide a Marriage Certificate 24
For more information, please visit our website: www.T ahiti-T ourisme.com/W eddings 25 Q&A 26 mauruuru! 27
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