Is there a thing as TOO SOON for paperwork?

[ArubaLovers25]

Hi Everyone!

I've read many posts on this board about making sure you get all your paperwork done as soon as possible. I'm crazy when it comes to having things in order and I got both of our Apostille Seals in November of this past year. However, our wedding is on 10/25/10 and I'm wondering if they will still accept it being dated almost a year before that time.

Has any one else had a seal from that far out?

[Bryan Morris]

I've met with Mr. Christiaans yesterday concerning this particualr question and a few more on the board. Anything between 1 year and 2 weeks prior to the wedding is a go.

Bryan Morris

[ArubaLovers25]

Bryan, thank you so much for getting an answer for this. I really appreciate it!

[Stephanie10857]

They really want your paperwork 8 weeks before your wedding. After everything we researched, we decided to get married in the states before we left and kept it a secret. At first this bummed me out, but after talking to people at the city clerk, out of country marriages become a nightmare for a lot of reasons when you get back. When you go to change your name, social security, etc. I recommend just going to the courthouse before or right after you get home and doing it again to make the transition much easier. You will also have to wait like 3 months for your documentation from Aruba to be sent to you. And trust me, people will look at your marriage certificate from Aruba like it is from outer space. We got married on the anniversary of our engagement Nov. 24, but it was basic and we didn't exchange rings, just a formality. When we got maried in Aruba Jan 8,it was the ceremony of my dreams, saying our own vows, exchanging rings, the whole 9. It was nice to come straight home and change my name! Think about it, and it will save you $600. We had all our paperwork and took it to Aruba personally in Oct. before our wedding. Our planner suggested we just get married in the states. They could lose your paperwork, it has to go to 3 different buildings, get translated, so on and so on. Pain in the butt. It turned out completely stress free. And we didnt have to sneak off to the city hall early in the day for the legal wedding and then come back to the resort for the ceremony. I would think about it if i were you. That way the only paperwork you will need is a copy of your marriage certificate for the resort.

[Karen Lutzker]

All that is required is that copies of the original documents are received by the Aruba civil house one month before the civil wedding date. The original documents are brought to the Civil House the day of the wedding for the civil registrar to review before the ceremony. There have been certain cases when possible where the document copies were received two weeks before the wedding. That was for special situations, but it could be done. Having your civil ceremony where you live is nice, but there is nothing like having your civil ceremony in the Aruba Civil House. It is very beautiful inside and out and is lovely for photos. A very unique experience for those that have never been to Aruba. If it is a matter of cost, then most certainly have your civil ceremony where you live, but if it is in your wedding budget, I highly recommend having your civil ceremony in Aruba. Also, please be advised that a beach or garden ceremony is a blessing but is not valid in your home country. A civil ceremony no matter where you have it, your home country or Aruba will make your marriage valid. A beach or garden ceremony is just like a real ceremony though and your guests will not know the difference. Many couples have both when in Aruba. Lastly, your Aruba Civil Certificate is written in Dutch and not English and must be translated by the Aruba translator. You will receive back the original and English version or whatever your language is within a few days or weeks depending upon their work load.

[Bryan Morris]

Originally Posted by ArubaLovers25

Bryan, thank you so much for getting an answer for this. I really appreciate it!

My Pleasure, dear!

Originally Posted by Stephanie10857

They really want your paperwork 8 weeks before your wedding. After everything we researched, we decided to get married in the states before we left and kept it a secret. At first this bummed me out, but after talking to people at the city clerk, out of country marriages become a nightmare for a lot of reasons when you get back. When you go to change your name, social security, etc. I recommend just going to the courthouse before or right after you get home and doing it again to make the transition much easier. You will also have to wait like 3 months for your documentation from Aruba to be sent to you. And trust me, people will look at your marriage certificate from Aruba like it is from outer space. We got married on the anniversary of our engagement Nov. 24, but it was basic and we didn't exchange rings, just a formality. When we got maried in Aruba Jan 8,it was the ceremony of my dreams, saying our own vows, exchanging rings, the whole 9. It was nice to come straight home and change my name! Think about it, and it will save you $600. We had all our paperwork and took it to Aruba personally in Oct. before our wedding. Our planner suggested we just get married in the states. They could lose your paperwork, it has to go to 3 different buildings, get translated, so on and so on. Pain in the butt. It turned out completely stress free. And we didnt have to sneak off to the city hall early in the day for the legal wedding and then come back to the resort for the ceremony. I would think about it if i were you. That way the only paperwork you will need is a copy of your marriage certificate for the resort.

Stephanie,

I really believe it depends on which wedding planner you've used could've cause the delay. This is not the norm, most try and get your paperwork to you before you leave. I know of some that got caught up in the season and lack of business ethics caused that it was delivered way after it should've, I've even went and get one and send it out to the couple and I'm not a wedding planner and they weren't even a client of mine. I just do this because if Aruba hurts I hurt and if our visitors walk away happy, I'm happy. I look at the big picture.

When you get back the paper's are perfectly legal. I've learned that civil servants will just be civil servants. I even hate calling them that because servants serve and they surely don't.

and besides marrying in th US just can't beat this.

http://bryanmorrisphotography.com/bl...-city-hall-ii/

http://bryanmorrisphotography.com/bl.../21/city-hall/

Originally Posted by Karen Lutzker

All that is required is that copies of the original documents are received by the Aruba civil house one month before the civil wedding date. The original documents are brought to the Civil House the day of the wedding for the civil registrar to review before the ceremony. There have been certain cases when possible where the document copies were received two weeks before the wedding. That was for special situations, but it could be done. Having your civil ceremony where you live is nice, but there is nothing like having your civil ceremony in the Aruba Civil House. It is very beautiful inside and out and is lovely for photos. A very unique experience for those that have never been to Aruba. If it is a matter of cost, then most certainly have your civil ceremony where you live, but if it is in your wedding budget, I highly recommend having your civil ceremony in Aruba. Also, please be advised that a beach or garden ceremony is a blessing but is not valid in your home country. A civil ceremony no matter where you have it, your home country or Aruba will make your marriage valid. A beach or garden ceremony is just like a real ceremony though and your guests will not know the difference. Many couples have both when in Aruba. Lastly, your Aruba Civil Certificate is written in Dutch and not English and must be translated by the Aruba translator. You will receive back the original and English version or whatever your language is within a few days or weeks depending upon their work load.

Mrs Lutzker,

A month might be an old procedure or Mr Christiaans have to get their rules straight as I was really in his office for a while and I've been there to ask 2 specific questions which was this and the validity of the certificate of non impediment. His respons to this particular question was 2 weeks of course earlier is always better but that was his specific response.

Bryan Morris