HELP! How do I make my marriage legal?

I am new to the forum and just starting to work on planning my wedding. It's so hard to get answers from the resort. Can someone walk me through the process of making my marriage legal? I'm having the hardest time understanding what we need to do before, while and after we go down to Mexico. We are getting married at the Riu Palace Mexico in April. I understand we need to bring our birth certificates translated and apostilled and bring our passports. Which do we do first, get them translated or get them apostilled? Where do we get this done? Do the passports need to be translated? Will they be keeping the documents or do we get them back? What do we have to do to make sure the marriage is legal when we get home? I'm so confused! Can anyone help me?

 

Thanks!

Melanie, a lot of the girls on the forum did all their paper work at home went to the courts and signed their papers, in this you dont have to exchenge vows or rings but this way you will know that your marriage is legal 4 sure if you're worried. This way you can just have your Ceremony in Mexico

 

as for Mexico...

 

Maybe the other girls that already got married in Mexico canhelp u out a little more but this is what i was able to find

 

Documentation required for each participant in a Civil Marriage Ceremony in Mexico (we recommend that you bring at least one complete set of copies, plus the originals):

 

Valid Passport.

One additional form of valid picture identification (normally a drivers license)

Original birth certificate.*

Mexican entry visa or tourist card (provided by Customs upon arrival at the Cancun International Air port)

Blood tests results, specifically for blood type, H.I.V. and S.T.D. These tests and the required medical certificate are normally taken care of at the hotel with results in 24 hours.

If either party has been married before, the proper dissolution documents, dated at least one year prior to your Mexico wedding date, must be provided:

a. If by divorce, a certified copy of the divorce decree(s)*

b. If by death, a certified copy of the death certificate(s)*

Legal documentation of adoption or name change, if applicable*

Two witnesses for the bride and two witnesses for the groom (Four witnesses total). If the witnesses are not Mexican citizens, they must provide their Mexico entry visa or tourist card, passport and another form of picture identification. If witnesses are not available, they can be supplied as part of your package.

Completed and signed “Application for Civil Marriage”. This is normally ready for you both to sign at our initial consultation meeting upon your arrival in Cancun.

We got married the Monday after our wedding in Cabo. I totally loved it and am glad I did it after vs. before.

 

Bonus - the office that does weddings in downtown SD is on the water with a gorgeous view.

 

However, it was really great because we had a totally different perspective. There were very interesting people there. The lady who filled out our paperwork (who was maybe 24) then took out a judges robe and zipped it up and led us into this funny little chappel like room. We went through this very short ceremony (no ring exchange). I almost laughed at one part - I don't know why, maybe because it was a bit kitchey and my husband just looked so cute.

 

So - here is the benefit to after vs. before. The wedding is stressful. People are asking you all kinds of dumb things like, "I didn't get a rental car but now I think I want one, will you drive me to the airport?" or "I want to get a case of water, can I borrow your car to go to Costco - and where is Costco." So, it's such a fun time, the wedding is awesome, you're loving it, but you feel a bit like, "Wow, I'd like to do it over again so I actually remember it."

 

So, we got that opportunity.

 

Had we gone to the courthouse before the wedding, it would have been right when we were in the middle of the home stretch of planning, packing, rushing... This way it was totally kick back, we went for pizza later, we left on our honeymoon the next day, and we got to get married twice!

 

My 2 cents.

Hi Mexico Bride,

 

The requirements to get legally married are:

 

Marriage application filled out. (your coordinator can provide this to you)

Copy of id´s from bride, groom and 4 witnesses

First and last page of the divorce decree (s) if applicable

This has to be done prior to your arrival date, and finally the tourist cards that your flight attendant hand to you before landing, and a blood test that can be donde on your hotel or any lab.

 

I hope this information helps.

The "ID's" are passport and birth certificate? Does the birth certificate need to have apostille? Does it need to be translated? Should I get the apostille before getting it translated or after? Do they keep any of the documents or do I get them back? How long does it take to get the official marriage certificate? Do I need to file it with some office when I return to the States?

Thanks for your help CWC!

mexicobride, who is your WC? just wondering?

The wedding coordinator at the Riu is very slow in responding.

that is understandable...i think CWC has given you some great inforamtion. they are a large wedding coordination company in cabo.

let me re-read your first post and see exactly what you are asking?

ID´s can be your passport or driver lisence
I don´t know the rules of the state that you are getting married on, but here birth certificates do not need to be apotille, and they don´t need to be translated.
You will get your official marriage certificate right there the judge will sign and give it to you or your coordinator, some time they give them the day after.

I ´m sorry you are having problems with your coordinator, I hope thse information can help you a little bit.

I will send you the marriage application form so you can get an idea, or ask your coordinator if it will help.

The civil ceremony seems so complicated in Mexico. Think about just doing it in the States right before you have the reception. Then you know it's legal.