Getting married in Cancun

My wife and I are both American citizens who decided we'd like to marry in Mexico. We ultimately settled on getting married in Isla Mujeres, after talking with the judge there, and the judge who's offices are near the Plaza de las Palapas, in Cancun. Both were very pleasant, and easy to talk to (I speak just enough Spanish to understand what would be required of us in terms of documentation and other formatlities, and to help them complete the data required on the marriage document, itself).

As both of us were on FMTs in the country, we paid the highest of the official fees, just over 3,300 pesos. In keeping with the governmental efforts at transparency, all official fees were posted on the wall of the office, allowing us to see that we were being charged the correct amount. We chose to marry officially in the office, and have a celebration of the marriage later, near the sea.

It was a fine experience in spite of the plain, government office setting. The vows the judge read were actually very moving, and delivered in a thoroughly sympathetic manner. At the conclusion, our thumbprints and signatures were added to the marriage document; then, the witnesses were also asked to sign.

Prior to the ceremony, we had to present the results of blood tests for both of us, and complete a form requesting that the judge marry us, and giving our personal details. In addition, we had to present copies of our passports, and those of our witnesses. (Requirements, as they were explained to us by the judges, were the same in Isla, and Cancun.)

 

Congratulations on getting married!

I think most people who "get married" in Mexico don't do so legally, I think they just do the ceremony here.

We got married in the States and then had our marriage registered in Mexico. We did this for legal reasons (so we can more easily inherit from each other here). It should have been about $350 MXP if I remember, except that they decided to charge us double because our marriage certificate was so long that it didn't fit on one page (talk about bureaucracy).

I suppose now if we ever got divorced we would have to do so in two countries, haha. Good thing I married the best guy in the world!

 

Thanks, Rivergirl, we wanted to do it the "Mexican" way, since we were thinking seriously about resettling here; and, as it was, it turned out very nicely. Here are a list of the full requirements in case any other couples are considering marriage in Mexico:


Documentation required for each participant in a Civil Marriage Ceremony in Mexico (we recommend that you bring at least one complete set of copies, plus the originals):

1. Valid Passport.
2. One additional form of valid picture identification (normally a drivers license)
3. Original birth certificate.*
4. Mexican entry visa or tourist card (provided by Customs upon arrival at the Cancun International Air port)
5. Blood tests results, specifically for blood type, H.I.V. and S.T.D. These tests and the required medical certificate are normally taken care of at the hotel with results in 24 hours.
6. If either party has been married before, the proper dissolution documents, dated at least one year prior to your Mexico wedding date, must be provided:
   a. If by divorce, a certified copy of the divorce decree(s)*
   b. If by death, a certified copy of the death certificate(s)*
7. Legal documentation of adoption or name change, if applicable*
8. Two witnesses for the bride and two witnesses for the groom (Four witnesses total). If the witnesses are not Mexican citizens, they must provide their Mexico entry visa or tourist card, passport and another form of picture identification. If witnesses are not available, they can be supplied as part of your package.
9. Completed and signed “Application for Civil Marriage”. This is normally ready for you both to sign at our initial consultation meeting upon your arrival in Cancun.

Do NOT be alarmed! This seems like a lot of paperwork, but the majority of the work is done for you by our qualified staff prior to and immediately after your arrival, so that all you need to do is present the documents you have brought with you, sign the forms and have your blood tests done three business days before your wedding date. The time is minimal, since everything is pre-arranged and normally done at the hotel.You do not have to spend your precious vacation time with the details.We do that for you so you can relax, see the sights and enjoy each other in the beautiful surroundings.
(*) 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 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.
Required documentation for the bride and groom for the Religious or Non-denominational Ceremony include:

1. Any two of these identifications: Valid Passport, Drivers License, Birth certificate. (After December 31, 2006, a Valid Passport must be one of the documents.)
2. Mexican entry visa or tourist card (provided by Customs upon arrival at the Cancun International Airport).
3. Two witnesses with their passport, drivers license, birth certificate and their Mexican entry visa or tourist card. (only 2 witnesses are required and can be provided as part of your package).
4. If either party has been married before, the proper dissolution documents must be provided. If by divorce, a certified copy of the divorce decree (s), or if by death, a copy of the death certificate (s).
5. A copy of your original Marriage Certificate.

lease know that the ceremony will not take place in Mexico without the proper documents, and plan ahead.