How To Register a Marriage In American Samoa

How To Register a Marriage In American Samoa

Wedding Ceremony

Couples can marry anytime not less than 30 nor more than 90 days following the issue of a marriage license any minister from any Christian faith who has been designated or ordained and licensed by the Registrar of Vital Statistics, or any Samoan Associate Judge, or Chief Justice or Associate Justice, can marry the couples.

Two witnesses are required to be present at the time of the ceremony.

The wedding couple together with the witnesses, the judge, justice or minister will sign the marriage certificate in three copies.

Wedding Registration

After the ceremony after the ceremony, the minister, justice or judge has to present a certificate of marriage to all participants in the wedding ceremony and must keep one copy in the church file or in a file kept by the judge or justice in the office of the judge or justice. The third copy is delivered to the Registrar of Vital Statistics within 7 days following the ceremony of solemnization. wedding ceremony, notwithstanding that for weddings that take place on Manua Islands, the time is 30 days. Manua Islands, the time is 30 days.

Failure to file: In case the minister or judge was not able to register the marriage certificate before the Registrar of Vital Statistics within the time limit the marriage will remain valid, and the error can be rectified by presenting the original 3 certificates of marriage as well as the affidavit of a person attending the marriage ceremony.

The missing certificate: In the event that one of the initial three certificate of marriage not available, then the acceptance of affidavits by the judge, justice, or minister who performed the ceremony, and one witness at the ceremony are sufficient.

Minister or judge who was the one who performed the ceremony are passed away: If the minister or judge who conducted the ceremony has passed away or is not able to be located two witnesses to the wedding ceremony are sufficient.

If the required number of witnesses die or are unavailable, then at anytime within a year after the date of marriage the couple may submit the affidavits of four members of the local community, not within two degrees of conanguinity that confirm the validity of a properly solemnized wedding and also proving that the parties have lived together as husband and wife for the past year. The marriage certificate can be accepted if one of the parties has ceased to be living.

If any of the conditions above are met, after which the Registrar of Vital Statistics may rectify the error in his records through the creation of an official document of late marriage registration based on the evidence provided and file the late marriage registration into his record.

Documents that are required Register a Marriage

• Marriage certificate that is signed and completed

Office Locations and Contacts

American Samoa GovernmentDepartment of Homeland Security
Office of Vital Statistics
PO Box 6894
Pago Pago, AS 96799
(684) 633-1405

What Are All The Eligibility

Couples looking to get married:

• It is not necessary to be related to one another in any way other to the level of the fourth degree.
• The groom must not be younger than 18 old age, and the bride must be must be at least 14 years old. age.
• When the wedding bride is younger than 18 years old She must get the approval from one parent or guardian.
• One of the parties could not have a legal spouse living.

Instructions

Couples planning to tie the knot should first submit an application for a marriage certificate from The office of Registrar of Vital Statistics.

Requirements Information

The Registrar of Vital Statistics keeps the following information:

1. documents of all licenses issued by the deputies or him;
2. A copy of the marriage certificate that was sent to him
3. evidence to support late marriage registration.

Documentation is needed

The marriage contract is legally binding that binds two individuals giving them certain rights and obligations.

External Links

• American Samoa Bar Association:

http://www.asbar.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=690&Itemid=172