The new Notary Law establishes that witnesses are not required to formalize a marriage in Cuba. As reported by the Ministry of Justice on its Facebook page.
Following this change, the marriage will be publicly announced for five business days.
When those interested in formalizing their marriage request, they consent to its publication.
Also the application includes a declaration of consent for the publication of their full name and the act (marriage) they are about to perform.
The Ministry of Justice, the Provincial Directorates of Justice, or the notary office will publish. For general knowledge, the location of the notary office where the application is submitted. And optionally on designated digital platforms with the applicant’s consent.
If five days pass without any legal impediment being identified, the marriage process continues.
The purpose of this public notice is to ensure that anyone aware of a legal impediment can report it. For example, one of the parties is already married, there is a prohibited relationship, or any other legal impediment to marriage.
Moreover this public notice system also applies to marriage ceremonies, recognition of common-law unions, and declarations of heirs.
Moreover the advantages of this new system simplify the procedure by eliminating the need to search for witnesses. Increase transparency by making it public through this notice.
Other advantages include eliminating a bureaucratic requirement. Modernizing the process with digital publication, and maintaining the same legal security.
Therefore, when couples intend to formalize their marriage at the notary’s office, they must consent to the publication of their personal data. Wait five business days for publication, and then, if there are no impediments, proceed with the ceremony.
Privacy is protected by only publishing names, surnames, and the type of act. Although express consent is required, this information will only be published for five days. So it is used solely to determine legal impediments.
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