Symbolic versus Legal Ceremony

[Brenners]

I have read conflicting information regarding the fees, requirements and issues associated with a legal ceremony in Mexico.  Has anyone or is anyone having a legal ceremony and where can I find an accurate and legal list of what is required to make it legal in the US?  If possible I would love to do a legal ceremony but otherwise we will need to do that at home and symbolic only in Mexico.

[perry1217]

Hi Brenners!  Since the laws can be different based on the area of Mexico you are getting married in, I'd strongly suggest contacting your WC for the specifics.  They would have the most accurate and up to date info

Originally Posted by Brenners 

I have read conflicting information regarding the fees, requirements and issues associated with a legal ceremony in Mexico.  Has anyone or is anyone having a legal ceremony and where can I find an accurate and legal list of what is required to make it legal in the US?  If possible I would love to do a legal ceremony but otherwise we will need to do that at home and symbolic only in Mexico.

[Brenners]

Thanks Perry!  I will need to do that when I make a final decision on the location!

[Sharon99]

Agreed. I am getting married near Cancun and we have to be there 3 business days (before 12pm) to consider the wedding legal. Along with all the paperwork like birth cirt, passport & something from customs(I forget what paper its called. The airport always gives it to you when you enter another country) We also have to get our blood taken at the resort by a doctor which will cost us $200 cash each. Of course your resort maybe different so I would ask your WC at the resort. But I don't think any of it is a big deal!
 

Originally Posted by perry1217 

Hi Brenners!  Since the laws can be different based on the area of Mexico you are getting married in, I'd strongly suggest contacting your WC for the specifics.  They would have the most accurate and up to date info

 

[Brenners]

Is there anything we need to do once we get back to the US?  I heard that since the marriage certificate will be in Spanish, that we are required to have it translated to English for it to be recognized as legal in the US but that seems very odd to me.

[Sharon99]

hmm I have not heard of this. I am not sure but I will ask my WC about this. It does sound odd to me too but you never know.

[perry1217]

I was told that the docs would have to be translated, so there would be additional fees.  Double check with your WC, but my FI and I decided when all was said and done to have a symbolic ceremony and do the legal (veryyyyy quietly) when we get back.  No one would be any the wiser

[Brenners]

Gosh that seems crazy.  I will need to do some more research.  If anyone finds out any information, then please share and I will do the same!

[snowbeltchick]

One of the reasons we didn't choose Mexico was because of the bloodwork required for a legal ceremony.  We really wanted our ceremony to be legal wherever we chose, but I have a horrible time with bloodwork.  They can never find my veins, they're small, or they collapse and I didn't want to end up with a nasty bruise for my wedding.

[Brenners]

That is a good plan.  I don't have that issue - don't know if that is a good or bad thing!