Tourists and residents may soon be able to marry on boats sailing in Virgin Islands waters, depending on the fate of a bill being reviewed by lawmakers.
Premier Dr. Orlando Smith introduced the Marriage (Amendment) Act, 2017 for a first reading at the House of Assembly sitting on Aug. 1.
The legislation is designed to facilitate wedding tourism. In addition to allowing marriage officers to conduct boat weddings, the bill would reduce the age of consent to marry from 21 to 18.
It would also allow for the digitisation of the marriage register.
Such a law has been promised in government’s agenda in the last two Speeches from the Throne in 2016 and 2014. It represents one part of government’s efforts to diversify the territory’s tourism product.
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