Is a Mexican marriage
legal?
Absolutely! Getting
married in Mexico is as legal as getting
married at home, it’s just a lot more
romantic! However, you need to be
aware the local laws and regulations
to ensure your Mexican marriage is
legally recognized in Mexico and other
countries. But don’t panic, Vallarta
Original Weddings – VOWs®
can help guide you through the required
paperwork and regulations.
While there are several
types of ceremonies, only the civil
ceremony is legally recognized. You
don’t have to have a spiritual or
religious ceremony, but if you choose
to do so, you must also have a civil
ceremony or the marriage will not
be legal.
The Civil
Ceremony (Matrimonio Civil)
is performed by a civil judge from
the Registro Civil office in the local
jurisdiction for your wedding and
can be performed anywhere in the judge’s
jurisdiction. After the ceremony,
the judge’s office will issue a marriage
certificate (Acta de Matrimonio) which
is recognized by the Mexican government
as well as the governments in most
countries. Some states require your
Mexican marriage to be registered
with your County Clerk, so be sure
to check with your local officials.
Mexican law requires
you choose which type of union you
want -
Legal Society
- Whereby everything both parties
bring to the marriage, as well as
what they accumulate after the marriage,
is split 50/50 upon dissolution of
the marriage
Separation
of Goods - Whereby everything
you bring into the marriage remains
yours and everything your partner
brings into remains theirs. Everything
accumulated after the marriage is
split 50/50 upon dissolution of the
marriage. This is similar to a prenuptial
agreement.
Civil Ceremony Documentation
The following documentation
is required
if you wish to be married legally
in Mexico. Original documents will
need to be “apostilled” or legalized
in the country where you reside and
translated into Spanish here in Puerto
Vallarta.
The legalization
process differs by country. Your wedding
coordinator can advise you how to
get it done in the country where you
reside.
| 1 |
Original birth certificate
(or certified
copies) with attached annotation
or apostille |
| 2 |
Copies (2) of valid driver's
licenses |
| 3 |
Mandatory Prenuptial Video Briefing
and Certificate of Atendance*
(Required in Jalisco (Puerto Vallarta)
but not in Nayarit (Nuevo Vallarta)) |
| 4 |
If divorced, the original or
certified copy
of your divorce decree with attached
annotation or apostille |
| 5 |
If widowed, the death certificate
of the deceased spouse with attached
annotation or apostille |
| 6 |
Blood tests with doctor's health
certificate (must be done in Mexico
2 to 3 days prior to wedding date)
|
| 7 |
Copies (2) of full passports
|
| 8 |
Copies (2) of tourist cards
(issued upon arrival in Mexico) |
| 9 |
Witnesses (4) - 2 each for bride
and groom. Witnesses may not
be parents or grandparents
of the bride or groom. If witnesses
are not available, they will be
provided for you by your wedding
coordinator. Witnesses must provide
copies (2) of tourist card and
either a passport or original
or certified
copy of their birth certificate
and driver’s license with photo |
| 10 |
Marriage application forms,
which will be provided by your
wedding coordinator with a translation
into English. This needs to be
completed and returned to the
coordinator before your arrival
in Puerto Vallarta. There is no
waiting period in Jalisco or Nayarit
after you secure your license,
although in Puerto Vallarta you
generally must wait until the
following day so the application
documents can be verified for
accuracy. |
Current Mexican Marriage
Laws
| |
1. To marry without
consent, individuals must be at
least 18 years of age. With parental
consent, boys must be at least
16 years of age and girls, at
least 14 years of age. |
|
2. If one or both parties is
a Mexican National, permission
must be obtained from the Secretaria
de Gobernacion – Oficina de Migracion
in the jurisdiction where you
will be married, which may require
several months and costs around
$200 USD. Non-Mexicans do not
need permission. |
|
3.Previously married individuals
must provide proof of a legal
divorce accompanied by the “Apostille
Protocol” or a death certificate,
if the spouse is deceased, with
apostille. If the death took place
outside of Mexico, the death certificate
must be authenticated and translated
into Spanish. |
|
4.Divorced individuals may not
marry in Mexico until 1 year after
the divorce is final |
|
5.Before a couple may be married
in the church, they must have
been married under civil law by
a judge. The civil ceremony does
not have to be performed in Mexico,
but authenticated proof of the
marriage must be presented. |
|
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