Destination Wedding:  What do you Need to Know to be married in Mexico

Getting married in Mexico is easy as long as you know what is required so that it is considered a legal ceremony. Plan on arriving a mimumum of 3 days prior to your actual ceremony so that you can have the blood tests done in time. If you have blood tests done in another country, they must be translated into Spanish (it is easier to just have it done in Mexico). A good wedding planner can help you with these things. We have the best wedding planner in Playa del Carmen working for our Condo Hotels: El Taj Ocean, El Taj Beach, Playa del Carmen, Maya Villa and Villas Sacbe.

You can get married on the beach or in one of the gardens. We can arrange everything or just somethings. You decide. We also have the availability to host your reception either on the beach, at one of our fine restaurants (Negrosol or Indigo Beach) or cater your party on a private rooftop overlooking the beach. Whatever you want, we will try to make happen.

Civil/Legal Ceremony This type of ceremony is available 7 days a week, at any hour you choose.  If you want your marriage to be recognized as legal in your home state or home country, you must have a civil ceremony.  You can combine this official portion of the ceremony with a religious ceremony if you choose.  Civil Ceremonies are performed by a judge. You can have a religious ceremony in a church if you would like, but you must have a judge presiding in order for it to be legal.

ID Requirements in Mexico:If you are not a resident of Mexico, you will be asked for a Tourist Card/Visa and a valid passport. The name on the passport must be the same as the name on the Tourist Card. The airlines will provide you with your tourist card if you are flying in. If you are driving, you will have to get one in Mexico. Playa del Carmen is in the state of Quintana Roo. Quintana Roo requires a certified copy of your birth certificates,that has been translated into Spanish and confirmed by your own country. The documents will be kept, so don't bring your only copy.

Picture your family and friends sharing your special day: Getting Married on the Beach!

Required Documentation

• Passport
  Valid Passport and photo-copy of Passport for Bride and Groom. Must be valid for at least 6 months.
• Tourist Visa
  One Copy of the tourist visas for Bride, Groom and Witnesses. These are usually handed out on-flight or presented to you at your port of entry.
• Divorce Decree
  [documents MUST be "Authenticated or Apostilled" in country of origin]
  If previously married, Authenticated Copies of copies of the Divorce Decree are required. Exceptions can usually be arranged if the Bride’s Passport is in the maiden name of the bride.
• Widowed
  [documents MUST be "Authenticated or Apostilled" in country of origin]
  If either partner is widowed, Authenticated Copies of Death Certificate are required. Exceptions can usually be arranged if the Bride’s Passport is in the maiden name of the bride.
• Birth Certificates
  [documents MUST be "Authenticated or Apostilled" in country of origin]
  A Birth Certificate is NOT required for a groom if he has a valid passport. Birth Certificates are only required for the Bride if she is divorced and her passport is NOT in her maiden name. If a Bride’s passport is in her maiden name, her birth certificate is not required in Quintana Roo (Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, etc.). If a Birth Certificates is required, it will need to be certified and translated by an approved translator.
• Marriage Application Forms
  These forms are attained from any registry office in Mexico.
• Blood Tests
  It is best to get this done in Mexico. If you do this in your country of origin then you must translate all written documentation into Mexican Spanish accompanying the blood tests and all documents must be Authenticated. It is best to get this done in Mexico as well.NOTE: Blood tests MUST be done a minimum of 3 daysprior to the day of the wedding.
  Blood Test Results including:
  HIV
  RPR (social disease)
  Blood Type
  Medical Certificate (in Spanish)

   

• Four Witnesses
  You will need to have 4 witnesses present for a legal ceremony, and they must have valid Passport – no other ID is accepted. Witnesses can be provided if necessary.
• Witnesses not from Mexico must have:
  Proof of citizenship:
  Original Birth Certificate (2 photocopies) or
  Valid Passport or
  Drivers license (2 photocopies)

  NOTE: Thorax X-ray Plates (Chest X-rays) are not required for marriages in Quintana Roo (Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, etc.).