Confused by Mexican wedding stuff!

[scottsteph]

My fiance and I are looking at doing a destination wedding in Playa De Carmen in Sept 2013. Has anyone gone through the process for obtaining marriage license there? It seems to be really confusing... any help appreciated:)

[scottsteph]

lemme add to this, steph wrote that. =)

 

 

we are confused as to what we need to do prior to a wedding in MX.

 

if you have been married in MX, where did you start with all the marriage certificate paperwork.

 

was it a hassle to have it all done prior too?  being in spanish?  translating it, and is the wedding in spanish as well?

 

 

 

looking at playacar palace fyi.

 

thanks everyone, scott

[Yazmin De La Mora]

Hi Scottsteph,

It is true that it can be a little more difficult due to the blood test and all the paperwork the Justice of the Peace requires but they have reduce some paper work so now is getting much easier than before.   Hope the info below helps.

 

 

The Civil Ceremony is the only marriage in Mexico which modifies the marital status of a person from single to married, whether under the regimen of division of property or joint ownership of property and it is the only one that is internationally accepted, therefore your Marriage Certificate is legally binding in Mexico.

 

The Marriage Certificate is recognized by 65 States that are Members of the Hague Conference on Private International Law like the United States, Canada, France, England, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Belgium, Italy, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, Japan and most other countries.

One of the requirements is that the couple and their four witnesses be present three working days before the date of the wedding for delivering and signing all of the documents required by the Civil Registry.

 

The Matrimonio Civil is performed by the Registro Civil via their Judges. The wedding is in Spanish and during the Ceremony; a text from Melchor Ocampo, a nineteenth century Mexican poet, is recited, declaring the couple as husband and wife. 

 

Requirements

1. If the Bride & Groom or Witnesses are foreigners, they must submit their Passports and a valid immigration form and/or Tourist visa, provided by Customs upon arrival at the airport.

2. Prenuptial Lab Tests and Medical Certificate, specifically for blood type, H.I.V. and S.T.D. with results in 24 hours. The results are valid for fifteen days. 

3. Marriage application (Civil Registry). This is normally ready for you both to sign at our initial consultation meeting upon your arrival in Mexico.

4. If Bride & Groom are Mexicans, Birth Certificates (Certified).

5. Official picture IDs of the Bride & Groom and the four witnesses. (normally

drivers license)

6. If one of the contracting parties is under age, the written consent of the parents must be provided as well as a copy of their ID, and they must be present on the day of the wedding as the witnesses and/or a matrimonial dispensation granted by the Secretary of the Municipality.

7. If either the Groom or Bride is a Widow(er), the Certificate of death of the deceased spouse must be submitted.*

       If the Bride is a Divorcee, a year must go by before remarrying and a copy of the divorce certificate must be submitted.* 

 

* Please note: All foreign documents (birth certificate, divorce decree, death certificate, etc.) which are to be submitted to Mexican Officials for any legal procedure within the country, must have the legal Spanish translation (to be done in Mexico) and must be certified by-an APOSTILLE.  

 

An apostille is an internationally recognized notary certification, done in the country of origin of the documents, and usually issued by the State Department of each country. In the United States, contact the Secretary of State in the state where you live. In Canada contact your nearest Mexican Embassy Office and ask for the Authentication Document which serves the same purpose as the Apostille document. We suggest that you bring at least one complete set of copies, plus the originals.

 

A Civil Marriage in Mexico constitutes a Legal act that generates public documents of record; if you fail to comply with the requisites as stated above the Marriage cannot take place. 

 

For all the above info you might need to ask your on site wc for assistance to fill out the forms and send all the info to the Justice of the peace.  We strongly suggest to do the lab test in the area.

 

Happy planning and good luck!

[scottsteph]

thanks for that info.

 

is it easier to just get a courthouse wedding in san diego, then pretend like that didnt happen and have a ceramony/reception at the resort in playa del carmen?

 

would we have to fill out any paperwork at all?
 

[Yazmin De La Mora]

Originally Posted by scottsteph 

 

thanks for that info.

 

is it easier to just get a courthouse wedding in san diego, then pretend like that didnt happen and have a ceramony/reception at the resort in playa del carmen?

 

would we have to fill out any paperwork at all?

 

Yes, there are lots of couples that get married in their country and then come to Mexico to have a symbolic ceremony.  The Justice of the Peace can perform also a ceremony but with a symbolic certificate. For all the above ceremonies only Bride and Groom complete names are requested. No paperwork at all.

 

Best Regards!

[scottsteph]

thanks a lot Yazmin!  looks like this is the route we will go!