You have no idea how happy I am to see this post.

I was married at City Hall in October 2007. We are still waiting for the translated certificate. That's six months and counting...

We have some amazing Aruban Friends/Family who acted as our wedding planner. I know they have made several calls on our behalf to Mr Christians.

Thanks for letting us know we are in good company

Noordgirl

WOW - you've been waiting since October??! Yikes. Well, in my case, my photographer Bryan Morris checked into it for me and he was assured that our certificate was on its way. Not sure how long it takes to mail something from Aruba, but still nothing. It's been 9 weeks (since we were married) but I guess compared to 7 months, I shouldn't be complaining, huh?! I hope yours gets resolved soon.

Note to Karen - you had mentioned something about getting our certificates notarized once we receive them. I understood that I didn't need to do anything else, it was already considered a legal marriage. Can you explain please?

Thanks everyone, for your responses.
Lori

Lori and Scott.......JUST MARRIED IN ARUBA!
March 17, 2008

It's been 9 weeks for me and we are still waiting too. (Our wedding was March 25th.) It is very frustrating because - as you mentioned - some documents are not able to be changed. So nothing matches for me - changed at work and on credit cards, but not on driver's license, bank accounts, etc.

There was some confusion at the town hall about the spelling of my name. When I was born, my birth certificate said Lorriane. Three months later, my mom had it amended to Lorraine. While I provided documentation of this, it was not right at the ceremony. I pointed it out, but I still worry that it'll be incorrect when I receive it.

We have considered getting "re-married" at the courthouse here, but wasn't sure what the ramifications would be regarding the actual wedding date. i.e. insurance, and everything else that "thinks" we were married in March.

Lorrie
**LOVED my 1st trip to Aruba & can't wait to go back**

Hey Lorrie,

I can remember your case. I was there at the civil hall the day you got married. I was there to interview Mr Christiaans. Did you have a wedding planner? If you had I don't want to intervene. If you did not have one I can try and see Mr Christiaans about your documentation. I'll need your complete names though.

Lori, did you get yours yet? And what about the DVD?

Bryan Morris

Aruba's Premier Wedding Photographer

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Bryan - thanks for the offer. I do have a coordinator and have been following up periodically.

I did just call our local courthouse to see if we were able to get married here too - they said it wouldn't be a problem. She said that it happens a lot when people get married overseas. Now we just have to decide if that is what we want to do.

We're buying a house in July and I'd like to have the paperwork reflect my new name. That's why I've been thinking about it more lately.....

Lorrie
**LOVED my 1st trip to Aruba & can't wait to go back**

Document update...

It took a little research to locate the phone number for the Civil Registry. I spoke with Mr. Christians today regarding the missing documents.

It took a couple of attempts to to reach him. According to his colleagues, He is the only person who handles the wedding documents. So be prepared if you are trying to secure your document to make several calls. I was told the best time to call is early AM.

Mr Christians sounded truly surprised that we had not recieved the translated documents. He located our marital paperwork while we were talking and assured me that the translated documents would be ready next week.

I will let you know what happens.

Hello everyone. Just returned back from two glorious weeks in Aruba. I had my laptop with me to read and send emails, but had not gone on Aruba.com. If I had, I would have seen the postings about the brides and grooms still not receiving their translated marriage certifcates. There is absolutely no reason for a translated marriage certificate to take a few months to be sent back to the couples. Most definitely I would have gone to see Mr. Christians personally and get some answers! I know him pretty well and he certainly would have been honest with me. I am returning back to Aruba June 26th to July 1st and will make sure I meet with Mr. Christian's and advise him of the stress the couples are going through regarding their translated marriage certificates taking so long. After I speak with him, I will report back upon my return. In answer to Lorrie's question regarding having their translated marriage certificates notarized, you only have to do so when changing your name for driver's liscense, passport, 401K, pension's etc. I hope by now everyone has received their translated marriage certificate. While we were on the island the local newspaper's featured weddings taking place every day so it is understandable that a translation might be delayed a bit. But not as long as you girls have been waiting!

http://www.cayenaweddingsandevents.com
Your Aruba Wedding Planner

hello
i was married in aurba on may 10th. did you have a wedding coordinator at the hotel you used? she called and made sure i had mine in hand before I left the island, so 6 days later. i was married by the same person you were. i hope it shows up soon!
kristen

Hi-

We didn't use an official wedding planner. Aruban friends of ours helped us plan our elopement.

We are still waiting for our Aruban friends to recieve notification the documents are ready.

I may need to call Mr Christians again this week.

Thanks
Noordgirl

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick update - 12 weeks and still no translated marriage certificate. I am chalking a lot of it up to the recent strike in Aruba and maybe slow mail...but I admit I'm getting a little impatient. Our ceremony was very simple and just the two of us, so we didn't require the services of a wedding planner, but I can see where one would be helpful in this instance. To future brides, I would recommend that you ask for and expect to receive your certificate the day of your wedding, if possible, or at least before you leave the island. Meanwhile, I'm half one name and half another!

Lori

Lori and Scott.......JUST MARRIED IN ARUBA!
March 17, 2008