How to get married at the courthouse in Puerto Rico

Marriage arises from a contract in which two natural persons mutually bind themselves to be spouses and to fulfil toward each other the duties the law imposes. It is valid if the Civil Code’s requirements and formalities are met. It must be celebrated by an authorized person — a representative of any religion, a notary or a judge — and two witnesses must be present, signing the contract along with the celebrant and the parties. Judges of the General Court of Justice have authority to celebrate marriages, and this guide covers that route: celebration at the Court of First Instance.

The parties must have legal capacity: over 21 — the age of majority in Puerto Rico —, with exceptions for emancipated persons or those with their parents’ or guardians’ permission; discernment to consent; and not being legally barred from marrying. Someone aged 18 to 20 can marry with the express assistance and consent of their parents with parental authority or their guardian. There are absolute incapacities that prevent marriage: already being married — marrying while married is bigamy — and not having turned 18. And there are relative incapacities: persons convicted of the death of the other’s spouse; ascendants and descendants by blood or adoption; collateral relatives by blood or adoption to the third degree, that is uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces; and ascendants and descendants by affinity in the direct line if children with blood ties to those wishing to marry were born of that marriage. First cousins, who are fourth degree, can marry.

• Going, in person or electronically, to the Demographic Registry for guidance and to obtain the necessary documents.Verified against the official source
• Taking the lab tests the law requires: tests for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and HIV.Verified against the official source
• Taking the results to a doctor within 14 days of obtaining them, to receive the corresponding medical certification.Verified against the official source
• Returning to the Demographic Registry within 10 days of receiving the medical certification.Verified against the official source
• Marrying within 10 calendar days counted from the date the doctor signed the medical certification, which expires in that term.Verified against the official source
• Arranging the ceremony in advance: each judicial region can set particular hours for weddings.Verified against the official source

• From the Demographic Registry: Requirements for the marriage certification and declaration (RD-10), Medical certification to marry (RD-12) and Sworn declaration and marriage certificate (RD-14). The Judiciary warns it cannot certify these are the only documents needed or the latest versions developed by the Demographic Registry.
• For each party: lab results, medical certification, valid photo identification issued by the government of the state or country of residence — driver’s licence or passport — and Birth Certificate.
• $30.00 in internal revenue stamps (Code 5120) when returning to the Demographic Registry.
• If either was married before: a certified copy of the judgment and its notice, or the divorce public deed, or the Death Certificate, for each prior marriage.
• If either party is 18 to 20: the express assistance and consent of their parents with parental authority or their guardian. If one has died, their Death Certificate; if outside Puerto Rico, a sworn declaration authorizing the marriage, duly authenticated by an authorized official or the County Clerk.

1. 1

   Step 1: Start at the Demographic Registry, not the court

   Go in person or electronically to the Demographic Registry for guidance and to collect the documents: the RD-10 with the requirements, the RD-12 medical certification and the RD-14, which is the sworn declaration and marriage certificate. The Judiciary expressly warns it cannot certify those are the only documents needed or the latest versions, so confirm at the Registry.

2. 2

   Step 2: Take the lab tests

   The law requires tests for sexually transmitted diseases: syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and HIV. They are for both parties.

3. 3

   Step 3: 14 days for the medical certification

   Per the RD-10, once the lab results are obtained, you have 14 days to take them to a doctor and receive the corresponding medical certification. Note the date the results came out.

4. 4

   Step 4: 10 days to return to the Registry with everything

   Within 10 days of receiving the medical certification, return to the Demographic Registry with, for each person: the lab results, the medical certification, valid photo identification and the Birth Certificate, plus $30.00 in internal revenue stamps under Code 5120. If either was married before, the certified copy of the divorce judgment and its notice, the divorce public deed, or the Death Certificate, for each prior marriage.

5. 5

   Step 5: And 10 calendar days to marry

   At the Registry they return the stamped medical certification and hand you the RD-14, which states the deadline: you have 10 calendar days to marry, counted from the date the doctor signed the medical certification, because that certification expires in 10 days. Arrange the ceremony with the court in advance, because each judicial region can set its own hours.

6. 6

   Step 6: Pay the $20.00 and bring two witnesses

   Once the documents are verified, the couple pays the $20.00 fee in cash, certified check or bank or postal money order to the Court Clerk. Two witnesses must be present, signing the contract along with the judge and you. And note: by regulation, judges cannot charge fees for weddings held in the courts; only if you choose to marry outside the court and outside working hours can fees be agreed with the judge.

Preparation happens at the Demographic Registry; the ceremony, at the Court of First Instance. At the court Clerk’s Office you can get additional information. The request to hold a wedding at the court can also be filed through the Electronic Court, from a personal account, with the same $20.00 fee payable on the platform.

• Taking the labs without having the wedding date arranged: the medical certification expires in 10 days.
• Letting the 14 days between lab results and the doctor’s visit lapse.
• Going straight to the court without first going to the Demographic Registry.
• Paying a judge fees for a courthouse wedding: by regulation they cannot charge them.
• With a divorce decreed outside Puerto Rico of a marriage celebrated here, not filing the exequátur in time.
• Arriving without two witnesses, who must sign the contract.

These are the government pages this guide is based on.

• Poder Judicial de Puerto Rico

  Poder Judicial

  poderjudicial.pr

• Electronic Court urgent requests and other filings

  Poder Judicial

  poderjudicial.pr