Civil Ceremony

In Mexico the only marriage that is legally valid is the civil ceremony, which is performed by an officer of the Registro Civil, the Mexican equivalent of the Registrar General's Office. By planning ahead and getting a few documents together, your Civil Ceremony will be legally recognized in your home country.

An authorized translator in Playa de Carmen must translate all documents you provide.

You should acquire these documents (see below) and send them to your Blue Parrot Signature Weddings coordinator at least one month before the ceremony to allow time for translation. It is very important once you arrive in Playa del Carmen that you take care of your blood work in order to insure the requirements needed below. That part of the process must be done at least 2-3 days prior to the legal ceremony.

The wedding ceremony is performed in Spanish. A translator can be arranged.

Please see Mexican Marriage Laws for the complete list of required documents for foreign citizens who wish to be legally married in Mexico:

Required documents for foreign citizens who wish to be legally married in Mexico:

* Application for wedding license. Application must be fully completed, with witness names and all spouse and family information.

* Original birth certificates: Official copies of your birth certificates will first need to be sent to your wedding coordinator, preferably 3 months before your wedding date. You must also bring the originals with you to Mexico.

* Photocopies and originals of the couple's valid tourist cards (FMTs/visas, which are given to you on your flight to Mexico) and valid passports.

* Death certificate of spouse, if applicable: If you are widowed, one full year must elapse from date of the death of previous spouse and a certified copy of spouse's death certificate must be presented.

* Divorce papers, if applicable: If you are divorced, one full year must elapse from date of the divorce from the previous spouse, and the final dissolution of marriage must be verified with a certified copy of the divorce decree.

* A blood test must be taken once you arrive in Playa del Carmen (These tests must be taken no more than 14 days before wedding date). Tests must include STDs, blood type, and Rh factor. If you go in early in the day, the tests will usually be ready the same afternoon.

* Four witnesses, age 18 or older. They can be either Mexican or foreign citizens, as long as they bring valid identification (passport or, in the case of Mexican citizen, valid voter registration card.) However, if the witnesses are foreign, they must bring the original as well as copies of their valid tourist card/visa. The parents of the couple may not serve as witnesses to the marriage.

* Note that these requirements are for foreign citizens. If either the bride or groom is a Mexican citizen, the process is lengthy and you will need to present your papers to the Instituto Nacional de Migración in advance. The foreign citizen must apply to request permission to marry the Mexican citizen, and if permission is granted, the wedding must take place within 30 days. In order to marry a Mexican citizen, you must submit the following documents to immigration:

* Completed permission form.

* Original and copy of your valid tourist card (FMT) or visa.

* Photocopies and originals of the couple's valid tourist cards (FMTs/visas, which are given to you on your flight to Mexico) and valid passports.

* Original and copies of each page of your valid passport.

* Original and two copies of the payment for processing (see the IMS for paperwork needed to place the payment).

* Letter signed by both bride and groom, stating their intention to marry.

* Original and copy of identification of the Mexican citizen, accrediting his/her nationality as such.