If you are planning your Legal Ceremony in Playa Del Carmen there are a few things that you need to know. It is not as simple as getting married with your feet in the sand. If you want to return home with your partner and a legal marriage license there are a few things that you have to do. It may seem overwhelming but it is so easy.
Here is a check list and some suggestions to help your Wedding Day run smooth.
Legal Ceremony
Foreign documents listed below (with the exception of your passport and travel permit) will need to be:
- Translated into Spanish;
- Notarized by your nearest Mexican Consulate
- Be ‘Legalized’ in the country where you live by the appropriate organization. Legalization of US Documents, UK, Australia.
*Marriage Application Forms. Attained from the local registry office in Mexico. You will need to specify whether you will get married under joint or separate property on this form.
*Copies of your PASSPORT, CERTIFIED BIRTH CERTIFICATES (Valid for 6 months), TOURIST CARD or VISA (issued on your flight to Mexico).
*DEATH CERTIFICATES (If you are widowed you must provide original death certificate not copies.
*A BRIDE WHO IS DIVORCED (SHE must be divorced for one year with maiden name on passport). If the bride’s passport is under her ex-husbands last name than she must have her birth and divorce certificate translated in to Spanish by an official translator and Apostille Sealed. The groom needs no additional information and can re marry at anytime.
*Your chest X-rays and blood tests (can easily be done in Mexico) if the state requires it. These cost approximately $200 for the bride and groom.
*You are required to have a civil ceremony that is officiated by a Mexican justice of the peace. You can also have a religious ceremony, but if only a priest officiates, it is a symbolic wedding, not a legal wedding.
*After your civil ceremony you need to obtain a marriage certificate. You will then need to have it Apostille Sealed and translated to English by your country’s embassy.
*An apostilled document is a document that is attached to your foreign document to make it legal in your country. For more information on Apostille’s go to http://www.state.gov/
It generally takes 3 days in Mexico to get all of the paperwork done before your wedding. Plan for your ceremony to take place after. No earlier than the 4th or 5th day in Mexico. After the ceremony another 1-2 days to arrange for the apostille for your legal certificate in your own country.
After you have gathered your documents you will need to pay your Marriage License fee (approx US$40usd) After this has gone through you can get married at the Local Registry Office or for a further fee, you can arrange for the ceremony to take place anywhere such as at your hotel, on a beach or an all-inclusive ).
Once the civil ceremony has been completed, you will need to obtain a certified copy of the marriage certificate (Acta de Matrimonio). This will prove that you have been legally wed in accordance with Mexican law. The marriage will be recognized just about everywhere in the world, including the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union and Australia.
Finally, to be sure your marriage certificate is accepted as a true document in your own country you should get your Mexican Marriage Certificate legalized in Mexico. Ask the local registry office or again the Mexican Consulate.
The BEST way for you to organize all of this information is to work with a Wedding Planner. I can provide you with a list of recommended planners in the area or your hotel will have one on site.
Brad an Liz are from the UK and where married in a Private Home in Playa Paraiso.
Legal Ceremony in Playa Paraiso
Located just north of Playa Del Carmen. Playa Paraiso has several different rental homes and apartments to choose from. Sitting on a small bay Playa Paraiso offers the luxury of privacy.
The beach is breath taking and a legal ceremony can take place just steps from the water.
For more information on your Legal Ceremony for your Destination Wedding please contact me at info@cateyecreations.com
Thank you for reading!
To LOVE!
~kat
kat carroll
Photographer/Artistic Directer