Legal Procedures involved in a Cancun Wedding

If you don't live in Mexico there are a few things that need to be done to make sure the wedding is legal. Following is an outline of the most basic legal procedures. You may still want to contact your wedding coordinator or an official in Cancun to make sure that you have done everything necessary.

3 Business Days

A couple is required to be in Mexico for at least three working days before the wedding. This means that Saturdays, Sundays and Mexican holidays do not count as one of these three days. Weddings also are not performed on these days. Following is a list of Mexican Holidays, but you will also want to check a calendar for the year you plan to get married as some holidays such as Easter are on different days each year.

January 1, February 2, February 5, March 21, May 5, September 16, November 20, December 25

Legal? Now what?

Civil weddings performed by a judge in Mexico are legal in North America. You will still have to register your marriage certificate at your local courthouse.

Witnesses

To get married in Mexico there must be four witnesses, two for the groom and two for the bride. Witnesses must fill out a Civil Registration form and provide a passport or driver's license, and tourist card. They must be at least 18 years old

Blood Tests

Blood tests must be done in Mexico, they can't be done before leaving the U.S. Most resorts offer this service so that the wedding couple does not have to leave the resort.

Passports

These are required for anyone traveling to Mexico and are also required for foreigners who are to be married in Mexico.

Apostille Document

This is a special document that makes it so that you do not need further certification from the U.S. Department of State, and allows you to send your documents directly to the country where you will be married. This is usually needed on Birth Certificates.