Civil Ceremony & Wedding Certificate in Mexico

[Karen]

Your welcome Amy! The Mexican legal ceremony requirements and proccess seem a bit overwhelming. But we found things to be a lot easier then we thought it would be. Like Yazmin stated it is more expensive. We probally spent about $200 for the marriage certificate and fees. And you jump through a few more hoops then you would getting married in the states. My name change proccess was easy aside from a few obstacles that were easily overcome.

 

We wanted our ceremony on the beach to be our legal ceremony. And it really is quite cool to have a Mexican marriage license. Just know what ever you choose, that getting legally married in Mexico is not that difficult especially with the help of a good WC and for goodness sake.....

 

yes the marriage is considered legal in the states!!

 

Don't know how many people have asked me that. but it's been a lot.

[bre]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitesurf_bride I am still confused! (And I am getting married in a week so I should probably figure it out!) Our WC said that for the civil ceremony all we need is our passports and tourist cards. After the ceremony they will give us our certificate? And then what do we do? Do we need to take it to some official government office to get it recognized or something? I am missing anything important? Thanks!

kitesurf_bride: We are getting married at the EDR too. Our wedding is on a saturday and we and our 4 witnesses have to be at a meeting at 11am on Wednesday to complete the paperwork. FI and I will also have to have our blood drawn ($250 per person). This is all in addition to passports, tourists cards, and birth certificates.

[TATrisha]

Yazmin, thanks so much for posting this information! It's very useful!

[BeachBride82]

Thank you for the info Yazmin!

 

I have never been married before. I just would like to confirm:

 

Do I need to get both our birth certificates and passports certified with the Canadian authentication document, or just the birth certificates? Can I get the documents certified now (6 months prior to the wedding, or do I have to wait until closer to the wedding date?). Then we bring one or more copies plus the originals?

 

So we need: birth certificates, passports, tourist cards...is there anything else (i.e., driver's license, or extra piece of ID)?

 

Then in Mexico, all the docs are translated? Can I send these to the wedding coordinator early, to save time?

 

Then we go through the wedding ceremony process and within four days - two months later, we receive copies of the marriage certificate? Do we have to do anything to get the certificate recognized in Canada?

 

I really appreciate your help!

 

Erin.

[mexico2007]

Ok now I'm stressing. I'm getting married in 40 days and as far as we understood we just needed our passports, birth certificates and tourist cards. We were bringing both originals and copies of these. Also we are going to be there at least one week before-making sure to clear the 3 day working day rule. My fiances parents are two of our witnesses-who will be there the same amount of time as us. And the other 2 are going to be found by our wedding coordinator. I understand the blood tests and fingerprinting, but am I missing something Please let me know. Thanks.

[Yazmin De La Mora]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeachBride82 Thank you for the info Yazmin! I have never been married before. I just would like to confirm: Do I need to get both our birth certificates and passports certified with the Canadian authentication document, or just the birth certificates? Can I get the documents certified now (6 months prior to the wedding, or do I have to wait until closer to the wedding date?). Then we bring one or more copies plus the originals? So we need: birth certificates, passports, tourist cards...is there anything else (i.e., driver's license, or extra piece of ID)? Then in Mexico, all the docs are translated? Can I send these to the wedding coordinator early, to save time? Then we go through the wedding ceremony process and within four days - two months later, we receive copies of the marriage certificate? Do we have to do anything to get the certificate recognized in Canada? I really appreciate your help! Erin.

If you never got married before you will just need to bring with you 2 things:
- Valid Passports and
- Tourist visa (given at the airport at your arrival to Mexico)

Once you are in Mexico you will need to do the bloodtest wich is normally around $150 to 200 usd per couple if you do it in a Hotel or less if you go directly to the laboratory.

If you were never married and your maiden name appears as it is in your passport you do not need to certified, bring your birth certificate or do any translation!

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.

The Judge will give you 2 certified copies on the wedding date.

If you want more certified copies you can request them through your WC with an extra charge each one, that has to be paid in advance or directly on the wedding date.

Two months after the wedding date more less, you will receive the certified copies with your original wedding certificate.


Best Regards, Yazmin.

[Yazmin De La Mora]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mexico2007 Ok now I'm stressing. I'm getting married in 40 days and as far as we understood we just needed our passports, birth certificates and tourist cards. We were bringing both originals and copies of these. Also we are going to be there at least one week before-making sure to clear the 3 day working day rule. My fiances parents are two of our witnesses-who will be there the same amount of time as us. And the other 2 are going to be found by our wedding coordinator. I understand the blood tests and fingerprinting, but am I missing something Please let me know. Thanks.

If you are single and never married before. Do not worry. You just need, Passports and tourist visa. If you want to bring your birth certificate is okay but not necessary.

Best Regards, Yazmin.

[Melissa Brayton]

Hi! I recently got married in Mexico!! It was a civil ceremony and I have our marriage certificate. I live in Massachusetts ...do I need to bring my marriage certificate to our town hall or anything to make it known that I am married in Massachusetts ???

[Yazmin De La Mora]

Originally Posted by Melissa Brayton 

 

Hi!

 

I recently got married in Mexico!! It was a civil ceremony and I have our marriage certificate. I live in Massachusetts ...do I need to bring my marriage certificate to our town hall or anything to make it known that I am married in Massachusetts

Hi Melissa,

Yes you should go with your wedding certificate with the mexican apostille to your city hall or town hall in order to let them know that you are legally married in Mexico and with the apostlille your marriage will be legally recognize in your country.  They will also request the english translation.  

 

Please keep me posted.

 

Good Luck!

[Melissa Brayton]

Thank you very much! I am waiting for my English copy and was told it was on its way. So as soon as I get it I will go to my city hall to register in MA. Thank you again!