Long distance marriage in Cuba

Long distance marriage in Cuba

Long distance marriage in Cuba, also known as marriage by proxy, allows one of the spouses to be represented by a proxy during the ceremony. This legal figure is contemplated in Law No. 51 of the Civil Registry of Cuba, which establishes that “the marriage may be formalized by means of a proxy, when one of the spouses resides in a place other than the one where the formalization is to take place.” It is a legal alternative that makes it easier for geographically separated couples to formalize their union without being physically present. This procedure is especially useful for those whose personal or professional circumstances do not allow them to meet in a single place to celebrate the ceremony.

Requirements for a long distance marriage in Cuba

1. Special power of attorney: the spouse who is not in Cuba must grant a special power of attorney before a Cuban consul in the country where he or she resides. This power of attorney must be legalized and, if necessary, translated into Spanish.
2. Personal documentation: both spouses must present their identity documents. For the Cuban citizen, this includes the identity card, while the foreigner must present his or her passport.
3. Marital Status Certificates:

• If one of the spouses has been previously married, a duly legalized divorce certificate must be presented. If the woman was divorced less than 300 days ago, a medical certificate proving that she is not pregnant is also required.
• In the case of being a widower, a death certificate of the previous spouse and a marriage certificate with a note of widowhood are required.

4. Witnesses: Two witnesses must be presented who must also have their identity documents. They can be friends or family members, but they must be present during the ceremony.

5. Processing at International Legal Consulting: the marriage formalization must be done at CJI branches or at Specialized Service Offices in Cuba.

6. Compliance with regulations: it is important to ensure that all documents submitted are translated into Spanish and legalized by the Cuban consulate in the country of residence of the absent spouse.

To ensure your Cuban marriage certificate is issued without delays, you must have a clear strategy for your documentation. This is particularly vital when arranging a Marriage to a Cuban permanent resident, where timing the legalization and translation of your papers is everything. Don’t let the distance stop your plans; being well-informed is the key to a successful destination wedding.

To stay on top of the paperwork from abroad, follow our guide to Marriage to a Cuban permanent resident to ensure every document is ready before you fly.

Once all the necessary documents have been gathered, the process continues with the preparation of the marriage records before the corresponding Civil Registry. The designated legal representative will act on behalf of the absent spouse during the ceremony, which will be conducted by a Civil Registry officer in the presence of the required witnesses.