Mexico Marriage Laws

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for Planning a Playa del Carmen Wedding at Wicky's Playa del Carmen

Learn more about Mexico Marriage Laws when planning your wedding in Mexico at Wicky's Playa del Carmen.

Playa Del Carmen weddings are a perfect choice for your special event. You may choose from two types of Riviera Maya wedding ceremonies: a civil ceremony (which is legal in Mexico) or a religious or symbolic ceremony ( which is not legal in Mexico). Additional costs, time and a blood test in Mexico is required for a Mexican civil ceremony or you may have a civil ceremony in your originating state prior to their Mexican event and forego the legal civil ceremony here to save time and additional expenses.

Civil Ceremony: A marriage in Mexico is legal only if it is a civil ceremony performed by the Oficina del Registro Civil by their justices. The justices will perform these ceremonies in the office of the Registro Civil or a location the couple chooses (usually the beach)! The marriage certificate is recognized by the USA, Canada and most other countries. During the civil ceremony a 19th century poet is quoted, personal vows can also be exchanged and the ceremony will be translated into English.

Required Documentation & Procedures

  • If you are not a resident of Mexico, you must provide a valid passport and a Tourist Card (which the airlines will provide or if you are driving you will need to get one in Mexico).
  • Bride & Groom must arrive in Mexico at least three (3) days prior to the ceremony in order to obtain the proper paperwork and documents.
  • Bride & Groom must have a blood test performed in a local clinic within Mexico at least two (2) days prior to the marriage ceremony with a doctor's certification of the blood test in Spanish.
  • Four witnesses over the age of 18 years old with a valid passport, visa, driver's license or Tourist Card must arrive 3 business days prior to the wedding. Witnesses can also be provided.
  • If the bride is divorced, and her passport is under her ex-husbands last name, she will be required additional documentation. Her birth certificate must be translated into Spanish and have an Apostille seal by the Secretary of State.

Religious or Symbolic Ceremony: Religious/non-denominational services do not change your marital status in Mexico or back home. Therefore, the Bride and Groom may choose to plan an additional ceremony with a justice of the peace in your originating country or you may combine a civil ceremony and religious ceremony in Mexico. Catholics may be married in the local parish church, however, the couple must have a certificate from their own parish priest stating they completed pre-marital courses.

Required Documentation & Procedures:

  • Valid passport
  • Mexican entry Tourist Card
  • Four witnesses are required with a valid passport, tourist card or drivers license and must arrive 3 business days prior to the wedding. Witnesses can also be provided by the hotel.
  • Certificate from the couple's own parish priest

For further information, contact the Mexican Tourism Board at 800-446-3942 or 212-755-7261a or visit this link.