Reviewed December 2007.
One couple's recent experience is detailed at the bottom of this page.
Getting Married In Mexico
Mexico is a popular "destination" wedding site for Americans and Canadians. If you want to get married in Mexico, there is nothing legal to stop you from doing so, but you will need to hire someone to obtain all the documents and walk your paperwork through the system. Fees and requirements, like everything else in Mexico, vary by state and change from time to time, so again, please consult a local expert on current requirements.
Here is an excellent site with detailed information about the requirements for getting married in Mexico:
http://www.mexperience.com/guide/weddings/getting_married.htm Listed below are some folks in Mazatlan that can help with all of your planning needs:
- Costa De Oro, Veronica
- Puebo Bonito, Sarah Emerson
- Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay, Vanessa Bernal
- Torres Mazatlan, Lani Wooll
- Inn at Mazatlan, Maria Elena
All of these resorts are beautiful, but my personal favorites are Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay and Torres Mazatlan. In fact, most of the large resorts have a staff member that has planned weddings here in Mexico. Aside from the costs for the resort, they can provide the costs for obtaining all your paperwork as well. The total fees for blood tests, translations, and government permits can add up to over $500. Cancun is now charging $600 just for the permit to marry! However, a recent report (Jan/06) by a couple getting married in Mazatlan put the cost of all paerpwork under $200.
Another option is to marry in the US and have a private ceremony & honeymoon in Mexico (no paperwork needed - its private). For example, if you happen to be coming from or through Colorado to Mazatlan - a popular choice now due to Frontier Airline's low cost fares - you will save a considerable amount of money by getting married in Colorado. In Colorado, it takes 20 minutes to fill out a marriage license at any county courthouse. The cost of the license is only $10 (no judges, no translators, no blood test, no other costs period). You don't even have to be a resident of the state. You both sign at the bottom of the license and you are married. It couldn't be simpler or less expensive unless it was free. Just another option if you are trying to save some money. For some, its easier to have the legal part done in the US or Canada and simply have a symbolic ceremony on the beach in Mexico.
In Mexico only civil marriage is recognized as legal. If you wish to get married in Mexico, you may also have a religious/spiritual ceremony, but it will have no legal implications without the paperwork in either your home country or Mexico.
If you do get married in Mexico make sure you the originals or certified copies of all your paperwork. You will need this to prove you were legally married outside the US or Canada.
David Shafer August 3, 2005
Below are the current Requirements for Foreigners to Be Married in Mazatlan as posted by Lani Wooll on the Whats Up Maz Forum on October 16, 2005. These requirements are subject to change.
Birth Certificate- Original or Sealed Copy
Picture I.D.-Driver’s License or Passport
Visas (They are given to you on the airplane and validated by Mexican Immigration in the airport when you arrive)
Bride and Groom must supply the following information:
4.1. Complete Name
4.2. Address, Age, Nationality, Civil State (married, divorced, etc.)
4.3. Whether you were married before (divorced or widowed). If divorced, must supply notarized or legal copies of the Divorce Decree(s)
4.4. Important note: The divorce must be final for a year before you can remarry
4.5. Parents’ Names (must match names on Birth Certificate)
4.6. Current Address for both sets of Parents
4.7. Nationality of Parents
- You need to provide 4 witnesses who must be at least 18 years of age and provide the following information:
5.1 Complete Names
5.2 Address, Age and Nationality
Please have all the above ready at least 3 working days before the ceremony so that the judge may process the paperwork, get the license, etc.
Wedding planner now at Inn at Mazatlan is Maria Elena. She is absolutely a gem and above that incredble! Our wedding went off with out a hitch. she covered every think! even at the last minute when i had nothing for my hair she had the florist deliver it to the hairdresser! We met once in May and then emailed til we got there on 11/17. the wedding was 11/21 and well even after Maria Elena said her good nights, the Inn did an absolutely wonderful job for the party!The Judge was 2200 pesos.
That was for every thing she(the judge had to do). We also had to get passport size pictures which was 80 peso for both of us, but it was just a hassle and we wish we had gotten that done before we left the states. We do still have to have it translated into english. I will be calling our lawyer this week. the only expense that i found to be high was the photographer and he was ready to leave right after we sat down and had a toast. We had to grab him and cut the cake right away and then do pics with different people. Pictures were nice but he picked the ones he thought were best and printed them, he did give us the CD to look at but wanted $300 (usd) for it. We printed some off it, gave it back and there were so many pictures from other cameras so all is good!The total for the party (including tip) for open bar and prime rib and shrimp dinner at the in was about $900 (20 people) after we added more tip in! The owners of the Inn were there and very politely had a waiter ask if the could come over and congratulate us. They were so gracious aand made it all just a bit more special!
Posted on Trip Advisor December 2007.
