Marriages

Preliminaries to Marriage

No legal marriage can be solemnized without the publication of BANNS/NOTICE or obtaining a LICENCE.

Banns/Notice

Permanent residents of the Republic of Guyana will contact their religious leader to effect Banns/Notice.

License

Permanent residents who desire may apply for a licence. All non-residents MUST obtain a licence.

Clinical Marriages

A marriage officer may solemnize a marriage WITHOUT any licence or publication of BANNS/NOTICE where the marriage is between two persons, one of whom is at the point of DEATH.

The medical practitioner in attendance can issue a certificate instead. The contracting parties will be given a copy of the Registration form by the Marriage Officer.

Legal Requirements

One of the contracting parties MUST BE a resident in Guyana fifteen (15) days before a licence can be issued. The application for a licence MUST be lodged at the General Register Office two (2) business days before a licence can be issued.

The licence is VALID for ninety (90) days from a date of ISSUE.

Marriage Officers MUST LODGE the Registration of Marriage at the General Register Office within fourteen (14) days of the Marriage. ( It is advised that persons deliver this document in person)

Contracting parties who are sixteen years of age but not eighteen years old must obtain the consent of the appropriate person (s).

 

Requirements

  • Purchase and obtain a marriage package at any Post Office
  • Fill out the marriage package then take it to a Justice of the Peace/Commissioner of Oaths to be notarized.
  • Contracting parties will bring in at the General Register Office (GRO) the completed petitions form and supporting documents that must be produced where applicable:
    • Original & photocopy of Birth Certificate
    • Original & photocopy of National Identification Card or Passport (Non-Residents are required to use passport ONLY)
    • Original & photocopy of Absolutes with original court seal or stamp
    • Original & photocopy of Deed poll (name change document)
    • Original & photocopy of Death Certificate if either of the contracting parties was married before and the spouse has died.
    • The name of your Marriage Officer & place where the marriage is to be performed