LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

FOR GETTING MARRIED IN MEXICO

 You have many things to plan for your dream wedding in the Mexico and getting your paperwork done is not as traumatic as it may seem. We will take you through this systematically and help you handle all the necessary requirements.

Legal Requirements

Consent
People under the age of 18 may not get married in Mexico without parental consent.  With parental consent, boys have to be at least 16 and girls need to be at least 14 years of age.

The Civil Marriage
Only a civil marriage is recognized as legal in Mexico.  You don't need to have a religious ceremony, but if you do, and you omit the civil ceremony, the marriage will not be legal.   Most Mexicans have two marriages: the civil (legal) marriage and the church (religious) one.

The Religious Marriage
If you would like to get married in a church in Mexico, this can be arranged, although additional planning and fees will be required.

Widowed
If either party is widowed, the death certificate of the deceased spouse will be needed as part of the documentation requirements 

Required Documents

The couple getting married will be required to present the following documentation and requisites.  Some requirements differ from State to State; check locally, but be prepared to gather together all of the documents listed below.

Important!  ALL Foreign documents listed below (with the exception of your passport) will need to be:

• Translated into Spanish;
• Notarized by your nearest Mexican Consulate and;
• Be 'Legalized' in the country where you live by the appropriate organization / authorities:

Marriage Application Forms: These forms are attained from the local registry office in Mexico.   You will need to specify whether you will get married under joint or separate property on this form.

Passport: Full Passport, valid for at least 6 months and a copy of same (both the bride and groom).

Travel Permits: Original copies of the tourist permit which was completed at the port of entry or other resident permit (visa, FM3, FM2, etc)

Birth Certificates: These will need to be certified and translated by an approved translator.   Contact your nearest Mexican Consulate for details.

Divorce Decree / Death Certificate: If the woman was previously married, or either partner is widowed, copies of the Divorce Decree or Death Certificate, if applicable, (see section above: Previously Married) will be required for presentation.

Chest X-Rays: The Plates from the Chest X-rays (Get these in Mexico)(Not all states require the Chest X-rays.  Check locally.)

Blood Test Results: Written results of the blood test, written in Spanish (Get blood test done in Mexico)

Please be so kind to read the following carefully:

Validity Outside of Mexico
Your Marriage Certificate will be valid world-wide, BUT you should get your certificate 'legalized' in Mexico to ensure it is legally accepted when you get back home.  The process is the reverse of getting your Native documentation legalized by the necessary authorities (e.g. Foreign Office) for marriage in Mexico (see below); The registry office in Mexico will tell you where this can be done locally

Chest X-rays and Blood Tests
These must be done locally in Mexico, as the results of the blood tests and the X-ray documentation must be in Spanish and the tests need to be done within a certain time frame of the Marriage Application Form being completed.   Not all states require the Chest X-rays.  Check locally.

HOW LONG IN ADVANCE MUST WE BE IN MEXICO

The Bride and Groom MUST to be here in México 4 working days prior to the wedding ceremony (Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays do not count). If bringing witnesses with them they must be in Mexico 4 days prior to the ceremony as well.

WHEN DO WE MEET OUR RESORT COORDINATOR AND WHAT IS OUR FIRST MEETING ABOUT

UPON ARRIVAL you must meet your resort coordinator to submit all your documents:

a) Passports (new copies are made ) from the bride, groom and witnesses

b) Driver's license
c) Legal form filled with information previously sent by guests must be checked and signed. This information goes to the Marriage Certificate. Signatures from bride, groom and witnesses are mandatory.

*****THE CEREMONY WILL NOT BE PERFORMED UNLESS ALL THE DOCUMENTS ARE IN ORDER, THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS****


WHAT MUST THE INFORMATION SENT TO THE RESORT  CONSIST OF?

BRIDE & GROOMS -Name, age, nationality, home address and occupation,

Professional information: educational degree, working status (working, pensioned, welfare), company position (manager, employee, owner), Income (monthly).

Marriage Agreement: a) Joint Possessions b) Separate Possessions.

-Valid Passport. (COPY) *Please be advised that if they do not have valid passports THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET MARRIED.

-Copy of a photo ID such as valid driver's license.
-FMT Tourist card: it will be provided by Customs at the airport upon arrival.


WITNESSES (4 people)

-Name, age, nationality, home address and occupation.

-Valid Passport. (COPY) *Please be advised that if they do not have valid passports THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PERFORM AS WITNESSES.

-Copy of a photo ID such as valid driver's license.

-FMT Tourist card: it will be provided by Customs at the airport upon arrival.

***If the couple does not bring guests or witnesses the hotel WILL PROVIDE THEM free if charge. They are part of our staff.

WHAT ARE THE BLOOD TESTS AND HOW ARE THEY ARRANGED?

The blood tests are taken  in Mexico, they are not valid if made elsewhere; to be considered valid the results should not be taken more than 14 days prior to de Ceremony. Blood will be tested for HIV, RPR (sexually transmitted diseases) and Blood type. The results will be ready in 24 hours and there is an EXTRA $200. USD CHARGE PER COUPLE involved.

Procedure is described as follows:

a) Upon arrival, your wedding and resort coordinator will set an appointment up for the next day (first thing in the morning usually at 9:00 am).

b) The hotel doctor will go to your room and take a blood sample there. He uses only new needles, please feel comforted by the fact we only use professionals and we will secure your well being at all times.

c) The payment must be made directly with the doctor via cash or traveler's checks.

WILL THE CEREMONY BE IN ENGLISH?

No, the ceremony will be preceded by a Spanish speaking judge but there will be a translator present, this duty may be performed by your resort coordinator or by any member of the family who would like to be involved in the ceremony.

HOW LONG WILL THE CEREMONY LAST?

It will take from 15 to 20 minutes. Unless you decide to add personal vows or extra ceremonies. After the bride, Groom and witnesses sign the Marriage Certificate, then the toast comes and the cutting of the cake, and a first dance.



WILL THE MEXICAN MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE BE VALID IN THE USA, CANADA RIGHT AFTER THE CEREMONY?

No, this document is only valid IN MEXICO. To make it valid in the USA, and / or Canada it will be submitted to the Legal Register office for an APOSTILLE or VALIDATION process.

HOW DOES THE APOSTILLE OR VALIDATION WORK?

After the wedding, the coordinator makes a copy of your certificate which is sent to the province's Capital City (Chetumal) and it is validated in a period from 1 till 3 months.

WILL THERE BE AN EXTRA CHARGE INVOLVED IN THIS VALIDATION?

Yes, the EXTRA CHARGE involved is $100 USD that must be paid upon  meeting with your resort coordinator.
 

HOW WILL WE GET THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE BACK?

The resort coordinator will receive it after the mentioned period and she will FEDEX it to your home address. This is why it is very important to leave your current home address and telephone number with your resort coordinator. You will be emailed on the date you might be expecting it.
 

NON LEGAL CEREMONIES AND THE PROCEDURES
 

This kind of ceremony are performed Mondays to Saturdays

WHICH CEREMONIES WILL BE CONSIDERED NON LEGAL?
We consider a Non Legal Ceremony:
• Vow Renewal
• When you are already married in the USA and here is just a symbolic ceremony.


HOW FAR IN ADVANCE MUST WE BE IN MEXICO FOR A NON LEGAL CEREMONY?

One day prior to the ceremony. Only the bride and groom's full name is necessary. The Minister will confirm the wedding date through the resort Coordinator who will provide the Minister with all the guests' information.

WILL WE RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE FROM OUR VOW RENEWAL?

Not a legal one, but the Minister will provide a copy of the most meaningful words said during the ceremony. This will be a special memento of your Big day.