Is same sex marriage legal in Costa Rica? As of May 26th, 2020 Same Sex Marriage is now Legal in Costa Rica.
If you want to plan a destination wedding in Costa Rica, you’re in luck! As of May 26, 2020, it is now legal for everyone, including same sex couples, to get married. In 2018, Costa Rica’s Supreme Court ruled that prohibiting gay marriage is unconstitutional, and the new law officially took action today!
Getting Married in Costa Rica
Now that same sex marriage is legal, all LGBTQ+ couples can plan the perfect Costa Rica destination wedding, and I’ll be there to capture the memories! Getting married legally in Costa Rica has always been straight-forward and easy with three basic legal requirements. As foreigners, all you need are:
- A legal officiant for the ceremony
- Valid passports in hand
- Two witnesses to sign documents
In Costa Rica, it’s most common for lawyers to officiate weddings. Even if you choose to fly in your own officiant you will still need to contact a lawyer to prepare and file the paperwork for you. If you have been married before, just make sure to bring along a copy of your divorce or death paperwork.
A translated and authenticated copy of the marriage certificate will be mailed to your home in approximately 12 weeks. You can explore the beaches and rainforest on your honeymoon and return home with confidence – your paperwork is on the way! Getting married in Costa Rica is a very simple process. Check out this step-by-step post for more information.
Same Sex Weddings in Costa Rica
As a destination wedding photographer, I am passionate about capturing genuine smiles, meaningful memories, and deep love of all kinds. By legalizing same sex weddings, our country is opening the doors for all couples to tie the knot in paradise. Costa Rica is one of the first countries in Latin America to legalize gay weddings, which will be immensely positive for engaged same sex couples and our wedding industry as a whole.
Over the past few years, I have had the pleasure of photographing many gay destination weddings, even before it was legally recognized in the country. Now, all couples can plan the wedding of their dreams and return home with an authentic marriage certificate. In addition to breathtaking wedding venues, lush beaches, and world-class vendors, Costa Rica’s tourist attractions are second to none.
Discover what’s possible and start your wedding planning process with a dose of inspiration. Here are a couple of recent same sex wedding albums that I’ve had the pleasure of photographing over the years:
Follow the link if you would like more info about destination weddings in Costa Rica and about wedding photography coverage.
May 26, 2020 is an important milestone in Costa Rica’s wedding and tourism industry. I am so excited to see our island become an even more popular destination for gay and lesbian weddings in the months and years to come. Now that all couples can legally marry in Costa Rica, there’s nothing holding you back from the beachside wedding of your dreams.
Cheers to all of the brides and grooms!
First look before wedding.-
Want to know what are the best wedding venues in Costa Rica! Check out my complete guide below!
Are you planning an elopement or micro wedding in Costa Rica? Click on the button below to learn all about how to plan your micro wedding in Costa Rica.