In general, to marry a Mexican national in Mexico, a U.S. citizen must be physically present in Mexico and present documents required by the jurisdiction where the marriage will take place. U.S. citizens who marry U.S. citizens or other non-Mexicans are not subject to a residence requirement, but are required to present their tourist cards. For additional information on marriages in Mexico, contact the Mexican Embassy or nearest Mexican consulate in the United States.
1. To be able to get married in Mexico you need to be 18 years old. If you are a minor under 18 you will need parental consent to get married.
2. If you are not a resident of Mexico, you will be asked for a Tourist Card/Visa and a valid passport, as well as one copy of each person’s passport.
3. The airlines will provide you with your tourist card if you are flying in. If you are driving, you will have to get one in Mexico. Your visitor’s permit – obtained at your port of entry (usually airport) or, if you’re resident in Mexico, a copy of your resident permit.
4. Some of the states require a certified copy of your birth certificate that has been translated into Spanish and confirmed by your own country.
5. Married Application Form: which can be obtained from the local registry office.
6. The documents will be kept, so don't bring originals
7. If you are a foreigner and want to marry a Mexican citizen, you need to have authorization from the National Institute for Migration (Instituto Nacional de Migración).
8. There is a waiting period of two to three days in Mexico. It varies from state to state. Plan extra time for getting the paperwork all arranged. If you are marrying a Mexican national, don’t forget you will have to apply for a foreign marriage permit and request it from the same jurisdiction where your marriage will take place. This process may take up to two weeks but your wedding planner will help you take care of the details.
9. It generally takes at least three working days to have your paperwork and documents processed.
10. Previous Marriages. If you have been divorced, you need to wait a year before applying for a marriage license. You will also need a certified copy of your divorce decree or certified copy of death certificate of deceased spouse.
11. Tests. A blood test for syphilis R and HIV (done in Mexico no more than 14 days before the date of application) and Thorax (chest) X-rays (done in Mexico, if applicable) are required in Mexico. It is recommended that these tests be done in Mexico two days before your wedding. The cost of the tests averages $125 per person.
12. Witnesses. You need two to four witnesses over the age of 18. Your witnesses also need to provide identification. Some areas of Mexico may require that two of the witnesses be from your home country. The number of witnesses required depends on the location of your wedding.
13. Weddings are not performed on Sundays.
14. Fees in Mexico. It will cost you approximately $200 (US Funds) to get married in Mexico.
15. No Proxy Marriages
16. Same-Sex Marriages also legal since 2015. Two areas of Mexico, the state of Coahuila and Mexico City, have civil union laws that give same-sex couples many of the social and legal benefits of heterosexual marriage in Mexico.
17. More Information. Mexican Tourism Board Phone: 800-446-3942 or 212-755-7261. Mexico State Government Information
18. Ceremony. Marriage in Mexico is legal only if it is a civil ceremony performed at a local Civil Register Office (Oficina del Registro Civil). You can have a religious ceremony later.
19. 3 types of weddings available: Legal / Civil, Catholic (can also be legal), and Symbolic.
20. For symbolic ceremonies it is required you arrived 2 business working days prior to the ceremony. Civil weddings are the only legally recognized weddings in Mexico.
21. Religious weddings and other symbolic blessing ceremonies are common, but they’re not legally recognized without having a civil component (which requires a few extra fees and a little extra planning – more on this later).
22. Realize that since every state in Mexico has its own marriage license regulations, you need to check beyond these basic requirements:
Guerrero Jalisco Mexico (state) Morelos
Nayarit Nuevo Leon Oaxaca Puebla
Queretaro Quintana Roo San Luis Potosi Sinaloa
PLEASE NOTE: Marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice. It is important that you verify all information with the local marriage license office before making any wedding or travel plans.
23. In the case that you need to apply, you can request a permit from Mexico’s Interior Ministry for the state where you plan to marry (this would be Quintana Roo if you plan on having your wedding in Cancun or the Riviera Maya).
24. For resort Civil / Catholic ceremony weddings you must arrive at the resort 3 business days (mon-fri) prior to the ceremony.
25. Requirements do vary from state to state depending on what type of wedding you would like to have.
26. Different religions will also require different paperwork
27. They will help you inquire with the local municipality and your minister, if applicable.
28. Plan to have all of your documents translated into Spanish, and notarized by the Mexican consulate in your home country. This will prevent any confusion or re-verification that can add time to your waiting period. They must also have an Apostille stamp, (in the US is about $7 USD per document) which authenticates them.
29. When your paperwork is gathered and ready to be filed, you’ll pay your marriage license fee is approximately $27 USD. The waiting period for your application to be processed depends on the state; it could be anywhere from 30 minutes to a few days. After your ceremony, you’ll need to get a certified copy of the marriage certificate from your registry office (acta de matrimonio).
30. If you’re marrying in a state that requires a national marriage permit to wed, the permit will cost around $180 USD.