Problems with getting married in Mexico

[LisaRenee]

Hello All,

 

Have any of you had any difficulties with getting married in Mexico? A travel agent told me that there are a lot more hoops to jump through with documentation, translation, and receiving your marriage license months later. Any input would be appreciated!

[jenrick]

I had thought about Mexico, but I was told it was a lot harder. I think that you also have to have a blood test and be in the country a few days, but not sure about that.

[sxcT]

Congrats and Welcome!!

 

Yes there is a residency requirement for Mexico and blood tests are required.  The marriage license will be in Spanish so you can get it translated if you want to.  When you get home you put it on file where you live.  I haven't done it yet but that is all the stuff I have read about on here and other sites.  We have chosen to get married a few days before we leave so we don't have to go thru all that and we can save a little by making it a symbolic ceremony but it wouldn't bother me if we did.

[Future_Mrs._Warren]

Congrats and Welcome!!

[kurlyks]

Congrats and welcome to the forum!! You'll find so much great advice here!

[Moments That Matter]

Congratulations and welcome to the forums! Yes... there are more hoops as stated above... blood test, documentation that needs translating, etc. But don't you want to find out if your related? haha  You could be brother and sister!!! haha

Many people get married just before or after they come down here and do it all legally back home. If you are going to do this... may I suggest that you do it after. As a photographer, we see this all the time. There is much more meaning and emotion during the ceremony if the couple has not gone thru the legal process before. Even if it is just on paper... it makes a difference. I would rather see you wait and go thru the ceremony part first here and have all the beautiful emotions that happen when you get married! Just our advice to you.

Best of luck with all your plans.

[Le Reve Hotel & Spa]

Hola,

Welcome to the forum and above all, congratulations for your engagement!

In order to get a marriage license in Mexico, there are indeed requirements:
Valid passport (valid for the bride, groom and the 4 witnesses)
Tourist Cards (which you will receive while entering the country)
(valid for the bride, groom and the 4 witnesses)
Apostille certified birth certificates for Bride & Groom

If applicable, final Record of Divorce
If applicable, Death Certificate
Health certificate and blood test provided by a Mexican Official

 

Moreover, a blood test must be taken. The test must be taken in Mexico and should not be taken more than 14 days prior to the ceremony. The blood is tested for HIV, RPR (sexually transmitted diseases) and blood type. Results are ready within 24 hours together with a certificate of the blood test.

 

Do not worry though because the wedding manager is here to follow you and can deal directly with the local officials to coordinate the legalized wedding process.

 

Have you thought of the Riviera Maya? One of the best things about Riviera Maya is the fact that you can get everything you dream, and it goes from the simplest things, up to the most elaborated... I am certain that you would love it.

To check out various resorts, a good place to go is the hotel review section on tripadvisor.com and the venue reviews here.  TA will not offer many wedding reviews, but the list is probably more extensive and you can come back here to learn more about wedding experiences. I would suggest using both resources. 

Your wedding is going to be full of magic and this website will help you a lot!

We wish you the best.

Happy planning.

[82turtles]

That's a really good suggestion. I hadn't thought about doing it afterwards, but I like your point about the emotions and meaning of the ceremony being different if already married. Thanks!

 

Originally Posted by Moments That Matter 

Congratulations and welcome to the forums! Yes... there are more hoops as stated above... blood test, documentation that needs translating, etc. But don't you want to find out if your related? haha  You could be brother and sister!!! haha

Many people get married just before or after they come down here and do it all legally back home. If you are going to do this... may I suggest that you do it after. As a photographer, we see this all the time. There is much more meaning and emotion during the ceremony if the couple has not gone thru the legal process before. Even if it is just on paper... it makes a difference. I would rather see you wait and go thru the ceremony part first here and have all the beautiful emotions that happen when you get married! Just our advice to you.

Best of luck with all your plans.

[kdh3]

To have a legal ceremony in Mexico does require you to be in the country extra days before the ceremony and you do have to do the blood work up there which is a little costly.  Also the ceremony is spoken in spanish and you can have a translator.  Also, you will have to sign documents during the ceremony.  Now you can legally get married right before you leave the country and just have a symbolic ceremony in Mexico.  Only you and the groom will know.

[EricaMarie]

I will also just be getting married legally in the US to avoid some this hassel and I dont want to have blood taken while I am there.  No need to worry about a bruise since I know I would have one!  haha