Note: You may place an apostille on foreign marriage documents, this is not required for the marriage to be considered valid outside of Nicaragua but it may be required by certain institutions in the United States. The Nicaraguan Competent Authority to issue Apostilles is the Directorate General for Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For general information regarding marriage abroad, click here.
Who May Perform Marriages Abroad
American and diplomatic and consular officers are NOT permitted to perform marriages (Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations 52.1). In Nicaragua, legal marriages can be performed by either a Nicaraguan notary or judge.
Documentation
To legally marry in Nicaragua, a foreigner must present a valid passport (or other acceptable identification document) and sometimes a birth certificate. In addition, persons previously married must present evidence of the dissolution of the previous marriage (e.g. a divorce decree or death certificate of the previous spouse) and/or proof that they are single. As the United States government does not produce “singleness” certificates, some U.S. citizens contract with Nicaraguan attorneys to draft a “singleness” document for their signature.
With the documentation listed above and two witnesses with Nicaraguan cedulas, a Nicaraguan notary or judge can marry you.
Requirements
The groom has to be over the age of 21 or legally emancipated through court order. The bride must be over the age of 18 or legally emancipated through court order.
If the bride and/or the groom are under the ages listed above and have not been emancipated, the parents and/or custodians of the underage partner must consent to the marriage.
Impediments to marriage are mental disability, pending dissolution of prior marriages, among others. It is illegal to marry your sibling in Nicaragua. For further information on marriage procedures and requirements, consult a Nicaraguan attorney or the Nicaraguan Civil Code.
Last Updated: August 5, 2013