Spice things up with these steamy flicks.
Updated Oct 14, 2024Can Ship Captains Marry People? Here's What You Need to Know About Getting Married at Sea
It's a popular movie trope, but is it legally binding? Here's what the law says.
Couples dreaming of having a wedding on a boat—whether it's a small sailboat ceremony or a lavish cruise ship celebration—may be wondering: Can ship captains marry people? Like, actually marry people legally. It's a romantic myth fueled by some of our favorite rom-coms, but it's not a simple yes or no answer. It depends on many factors, including location, laws and credentials. So if you're set on tying the knot at sea, it's still possible, but you'll need to understand the legal details first. Keep reading to learn the logistics, how a ship captain can officiate a marriage and what's legally required to make it official. And to find an officiant near you, search The Knot Vendor Marketplace, where you can filter by distance, religious affiliation and more.
In this article: Can Ship Captains Marry People? | How Can a Ship Captain Officiate a Marriage? | Who Else Can Officiate Weddings on a Ship?
Can Ship Captains Marry People?
To answer the question of why can ship captains marry people (or more accurately, why people think they can), Keith Willard, owner of Keith Willard Events in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, says it's important to understand the difference between a wedding ceremony and a legal marriage. Getting legally married requires signing a marriage contract, also known as a marriage license, while the ceremony itself is purely symbolic. So, can anyone officiate a wedding? Well, anyone can lead a symbolic wedding ceremony—including a friend, family member or even a ship's captain—but only someone legally authorized to sign a marriage license can make the marriage official.
The real question is whether a ship's captain has the authority to sign a marriage license. The short answer: it depends.
"Ships are registered—commonly known as 'flagged'—in different countries, and the rule of law of where the ship is flagged is the rule of law on the ship," Willard says. For example, "most cruise ships are flagged in the Bahamas, which means that you would have to check Bahamian law to see if captains of ships are allowed to marry couples." For ships flagged in the United States, captains typically can't perform legally binding marriages.
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
In short, a ship's captain can absolutely perform a symbolic wedding ceremony, but whether they can legally marry a couple depends on the laws of the country where the ship is registered. In most cases, that authority does not extend to ship captains, no matter how romantic it may sound.
Can Ship Captains Perform Weddings in International Waters?
So, can a ship captain marry people in international waters? The answer is still mostly no, unless the ship is registered in a country that specifically grants captains that right. Willard says some countries, including Malta, Bermuda, the Bahamas and Japan, allow ship captains to legally marry couples on vessels registered under their flag. However, each country has its own rules. For instance, Willard notes that Japanese-flagged ships can only officiate weddings for couples who hold Japanese passports.
In most other cases, a captain-led ceremony at sea is symbolic unless the couple completes the legal paperwork in port. So keep that in mind if you're planning to get married on a cruise.
How Can a Ship Captain Officiate a Marriage?
Again, a ship's captain isn't automatically qualified to legally marry a couple. A captain can, however, legally officiate a marriage if they hold another credential or are one of the different types of officiants, such as being an ordained minister, member of the clergy, justice of the peace or, in some states, a notary public, Willard says.
Even then, the ceremony must meet the legal requirements of the jurisdiction where the marriage license was issued. Always verify the local laws before the ceremony to ensure the marriage is legally recognized.
Who Else Can Officiate Weddings on a Ship?
Can anyone officiate a wedding on a ship? It depends on the laws of the place where your marriage license is issued, Willard says. That location determines who's legally allowed to officiate a wedding—whether you're on land or at sea.
For example, a couple from New York could choose to get their marriage license in Colorado, which allows self-solemnization. "That way, they could get married based on Colorado law, which allows couples to be the only signatures needed on their marriage license," Willard explains. And because a marriage recognized in one US state is recognized in all, that union would also be valid in New York.
If you need help finding a wedding officiant, check out The Knot Vendor Marketplace. You can filter officiants by religious affiliation, distance and whether they proudly support diversity—making it easy to find someone who fits your values and can legally make your marriage official.
Whatever the case, before setting sail, make sure you understand how to get a marriage license in your chosen jurisdiction and whether your ceremony will be symbolic or legal. Most couples opt to handle the legal paperwork onshore for simplicity and enjoy a romantic symbolic ceremony at sea. The key: Make it feel special and personal with an officiant script and nautical wedding theme touches like seashell decor.
