Requirements for Mexico Civil Marriage

[FlatironGuy]

So here are requirements I found for a civil wedding done in Mexico. Does anyone know if you really have to do a blood test there in Mexico or would some sort of health certificate proving that you were tested within the past 14 days work?

Passport: required of all visitors to Mexico including Americans and Canadians (as of January 2007)
Birth certificate (a legible photo copy is acceptable)
Mexican entry/tourist visa (issued upon entering the country)
Blood tests results (must be done in Mexico and within 14 days of the wedding date)
Doctor''s Letter (one for bride, one for groom)
Divorce decree or death certificate (if applicable; legible photo copies are acceptable)
Four witnesses (non-Mexican witnesses must provide passports and visas; Mexican witnesses may show a passport or their credencial de elector). CCW can supply all four witnesses upon request.

 

[surfgirl]

No, you cannot have the tests done outside Mexico.

If you really want to do this, I'd suggest you contact the potential hotels where you'd stay, and ask to speak to their wedding coordinator and ask them. You dont want to get caught short on your wedding day because you didn't do some little thing...

 

[cara]

Additional requirement:
Listening to the local official pontificate on marriage for as long as his breath holds, until he deems to conduct the legal ceremony.

My friend was married in Mexico, and in addition to the hour-plus long religious ceremony (non-legal), they endured a 45 min ceremony from the civil official at the reception. (Even the bride''s mother walked away!) The official must have missed the "marry us quick - this is a formality!" memo.

And keep in mind:
Mexico is not the US. Mexico is not the US. Mexico is not the US.

The bureaucracy is not designed to be efficient or even rational. I''m not saying that US bureaucracy is always efficient or rational - but Mexico is a different country.

Let''s just say that a certain paperwork problem from your list was to be a completely insurmountable obstacle for many hours until someone finally had the insight to realize that another type of paper, a green paper, was a suitable substitute. The officials were too circumspect to spell in out for the ignorant Americans, however. Hence the hours of dancing on the issue.

There were a lot of advantages to my friend having her wedding in Mexico - they could afford much more there than in the States, it was a beautiful resort location, the foreign guests certainly got a bit of a cultural experience, and the Mexican guests were able to attend (where they probably wouldn''t have made it to a wedding in the States.) But there were downsides - bride and groom got a parasite and skipped their honeymoon, and certain cultural challenges exist for Americans and Europeans (in this case) visiting 3rd world Latin American countries. Good luck!

 

[FlatironGuy]

Date: 3/17/2008 1:18:35 PM
Author: surfgirl
No, you cannot have the tests done outside Mexico.

If you really want to do this, I''d suggest you contact the potential hotels where you''d stay, and ask to speak to their wedding coordinator and ask them. You dont want to get caught short on your wedding day because you didn''t do some little thing...

You''re right, I do need to talk to a wedding coordinator. Do you know how the blood and chest x-rays are usually handled? I heard somewhere that you can maybe have the blood test done in your hotel room, but I don''t know if this is true. You''d think they would have several places in and around Cancun for young couples to go and get these sort of things done, right?

 

[FlatironGuy]

Date: 3/17/2008 2:28:04 PM
Author: cara
Additional requirement:
Listening to the local official pontificate on marriage for as long as his breath holds, until he deems to conduct the legal ceremony.

My friend was married in Mexico, and in addition to the hour-plus long religious ceremony (non-legal), they endured a 45 min ceremony from the civil official at the reception. (Even the bride''s mother walked away!) The official must have missed the ''marry us quick - this is a formality!'' memo.

And keep in mind:
Mexico is not the US. Mexico is not the US. Mexico is not the US.

The bureaucracy is not designed to be efficient or even rational. I''m not saying that US bureaucracy is always efficient or rational - but Mexico is a different country.

Let''s just say that a certain paperwork problem from your list was to be a completely insurmountable obstacle for many hours until someone finally had the insight to realize that another type of paper, a green paper, was a suitable substitute. The officials were too circumspect to spell in out for the ignorant Americans, however. Hence the hours of dancing on the issue.

There were a lot of advantages to my friend having her wedding in Mexico - they could afford much more there than in the States, it was a beautiful resort location, the foreign guests certainly got a bit of a cultural experience, and the Mexican guests were able to attend (where they probably wouldn''t have made it to a wedding in the States.) But there were downsides - bride and groom got a parasite and skipped their honeymoon, and certain cultural challenges exist for Americans and Europeans (in this case) visiting 3rd world Latin American countries. Good luck!

What kind of parasite? This wasn''t due to the bloodwork, was it?

 

[aeroo]

Usually what happens is that someone comes to your hotel room to administer the blood test. Getting legally married in Mexico is a small hassle. Some people don''t mind; some do. The wedding coordinator will have all the details. I think you''ll need to get some documents translated too. Since we didn''t want to go through the trouble, we are getting legally married at home first and then having a non-legal ceremony in Mexico and will have a friend officiate there. That way, we have maximum flexibility in how long we want the ceremony to last and exactly how the wording will go. I didn''t like some of the wording used by the officiant that was recommended by our coordinator. Also, for a legal wedding, you have to be in Mexico for about 4-5 days before and we didn''t want to do that either. We wanted to get there, get married, then relax for the rest of the time. So depending on what you want, just know that you do have the option of having a non-legal ceremony in Mexico. It''s also cheaper too.

 

[cara]

Parasite might not be correct - some kind of gastrointestinal illness that kept them in the restroom for several days. The guests I was traveling with were all paranoid about the water, apparently with good reason, while the bride and groom must have been more lax. And they had to spend more time there, for bloodwork and whatnot. Groom was mostly raised in Mexico but has been in the States for years now and his system must have Americanized.

As aeroo says, there are some hassles involved in getting married in Mexico. Whether it is worth it or not, is up to you to decide. While I had a lot of fun, as a non-Spanish speaking female guest without a lot of travel history to Mexico or Latin America, I found it somewhat stressful. Not trusting the water, for example. Feeling like the 4 women I was traveling with did not make up for the lack of a male escort - not a feeling I am used to in the US. Maybe it would have been less stressful (and less "authentic" - whatever that means) to be in one of the more tourist-filled areas.

 

[FlatironGuy]

Date: 3/17/2008 3:16:04 PM
Author: aeroo
Usually what happens is that someone comes to your hotel room to administer the blood test. Getting legally married in Mexico is a small hassle. Some people don''t mind; some do. The wedding coordinator will have all the details. I think you''ll need to get some documents translated too. Since we didn''t want to go through the trouble, we are getting legally married at home first and then having a non-legal ceremony in Mexico and will have a friend officiate there. That way, we have maximum flexibility in how long we want the ceremony to last and exactly how the wording will go. I didn''t like some of the wording used by the officiant that was recommended by our coordinator. Also, for a legal wedding, you have to be in Mexico for about 4-5 days before and we didn''t want to do that either. We wanted to get there, get married, then relax for the rest of the time. So depending on what you want, just know that you do have the option of having a non-legal ceremony in Mexico. It''s also cheaper too.

Do you think it''s possible for someone to pick up any diseases or viruses from the needles they use on you for the blood work? I''ve recently heard of some stories about some clinics here in the states giving their patients things, and if that can happen here in the states, you can only imagine what''s possible in a 3rd world country like Mexico. Do you know if it''s possible to modify what the wording of the civil wedding can be so you don''t have to go through from what I hear, 45 minutes!?! Where did you get married here in the states, courthouse?

 

[FlatironGuy]

Date: 3/17/2008 4:58:13 PM
Author: cara
Parasite might not be correct - some kind of gastrointestinal illness that kept them in the restroom for several days. The guests I was traveling with were all paranoid about the water, apparently with good reason, while the bride and groom must have been more lax. And they had to spend more time there, for bloodwork and whatnot. Groom was mostly raised in Mexico but has been in the States for years now and his system must have Americanized.

As aeroo says, there are some hassles involved in getting married in Mexico. Whether it is worth it or not, is up to you to decide. While I had a lot of fun, as a non-Spanish speaking female guest without a lot of travel history to Mexico or Latin America, I found it somewhat stressful. Not trusting the water, for example. Feeling like the 4 women I was traveling with did not make up for the lack of a male escort - not a feeling I am used to in the US. Maybe it would have been less stressful (and less ''authentic'' - whatever that means) to be in one of the more tourist-filled areas.

Ahh, it sounds like they were doing the "Mexican Hat Dance" that''s caused by drinking their water. The last time I was in the Cancun area, someone I know drank some water from what was thought, a purified water dispenser in the rental car place, but she ended up getting really sick on the tail end of our trip!

 

[aeroo]

Date: 3/17/2008 5:14:46 PM
Author: FlatironGuy

Date: 3/17/2008 3:16:04 PM

Author: aeroo

Usually what happens is that someone comes to your hotel room to administer the blood test. Getting legally married in Mexico is a small hassle. Some people don''t mind; some do. The wedding coordinator will have all the details. I think you''ll need to get some documents translated too. Since we didn''t want to go through the trouble, we are getting legally married at home first and then having a non-legal ceremony in Mexico and will have a friend officiate there. That way, we have maximum flexibility in how long we want the ceremony to last and exactly how the wording will go. I didn''t like some of the wording used by the officiant that was recommended by our coordinator. Also, for a legal wedding, you have to be in Mexico for about 4-5 days before and we didn''t want to do that either. We wanted to get there, get married, then relax for the rest of the time. So depending on what you want, just know that you do have the option of having a non-legal ceremony in Mexico. It''s also cheaper too.

Do you think it''s possible for someone to pick up any diseases or viruses from the needles they use on you for the blood work? I''ve recently heard of some stories about some clinics here in the states giving their patients things, and if that can happen here in the states, you can only imagine what''s possible in a 3rd world country like Mexico. Do you know if it''s possible to modify what the wording of the civil wedding can be so you don''t have to go through from what I hear, 45 minutes!?! Where did you get married here in the states, courthouse?

Flatiron,

Check out these links regarding the following:

Bloodwork: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t14033

Experience on getting legally married in Mexico: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t17108-5#post305233

Also, from what I''ve heard from that forum is that the ceremony time is very short, like 15 minutes. I suggest you browse that forum, as all of your questions and concerns have been answered there. Oh by the way, you only have access to the Search function after you sign up. But it''s definately worth it, as you will get tons of info from former Mexico brides as well as brides to be. It has definately made my destination wedding planning a lot easier and more informative.

 

[Independent Gal]

Call your embassy in Mexico. Or, call the Mexican embassy in the US. They deal with these things all the time and can answer all your questions. Yes, you should expect hassles.

And in terms of people getting parasites and bacteria, I just have to say, well DUH. And it''s not just water. There''s no reason to think that your friend got sick from the filtered water tank, as opposed to something she ate. You can get a parasite or bacterial infection from food too. In fact, you should never eat ANYTHING in a less developed country that hasn''t been thoroughly cooked, boiled, or peeled. That means no salad. No sandwiches. No apples. No street food. I''ll bet she wasn''t too strict on that stuff. If one isn''t, one shouldn''t be surprised to get sick. No one''s fault but one''s own, in that case.

Cara I''ve traveled all over the world by myself. Sometimes I think I''d feel more comfy with a male escort. And then I realize that there are plenty of local ladies walking around without male escorts. Which suggests it''s actually pretty safe. And then I realize that it''s not the country but my own irrational paranoia. One always feels ''safer'' in a familiar place, even when that''s completely irrational. I am far FAR FAR FAR more likely to get mugged, raped, or shot in the neighborhood where I work than I was in Peru, but I still felt more afraid in Peru.

The point being: It''s good to recognize when it''s subjective, not objective fear, and to try to behave on the basis of reason rather than paranoia.

And if you''re worried about the needle, ask your doctor and bring your own. No big whoop.

 

[niceice]

My late wife Robin and I were married in Cabo San Lucas, we went to the hospital there to obtain the blood test primarily because we felt that the hospital environment would be more sanitary than other places. The wedding ran on "Mexico Time" which means that nothing happened on time. It was an experience that I wouldn''t trade for anything, but I recommend approaching the event as if you were creating a live T.V. sitcom because anything that can happen just might and it can be pretty fun if you roll with it. Of course, we were married back in 1992 and a lot has changed since then, for instance, the concept of a hotel wedding coordinator wasn''t an option in our hotel back then. Best wishes for a wonderful ceremony and a long and happy life together!

 

[FlatironGuy]

Date: 3/18/2008 2:44:42 PM
Author: aeroo


Flatiron,

Check out these links regarding the following:

Bloodwork: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t14033

Experience on getting legally married in Mexico: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t17108-5#post305233

Also, from what I''ve heard from that forum is that the ceremony time is very short, like 15 minutes. I suggest you browse that forum, as all of your questions and concerns have been answered there. Oh by the way, you only have access to the Search function after you sign up. But it''s definately worth it, as you will get tons of info from former Mexico brides as well as brides to be. It has definately made my destination wedding planning a lot easier and more informative.

aeroo,

Thanks for the resource links on the bloodwork and "Experience on getting legally married in Mexico". Do you think it''s true with it being professional, clean, and most importantly....safe?

I already signed up for the bestdestinationwedding.com Forums and I just got the activation email this morning. I''m glad to here the "search function" is in place when you sign in because I was a little worried about that.

Date: 3/18/2008 3:08:14 PM
Author: Independent Gal


And if you''re worried about the needle, ask your doctor and bring your own. No big whoop.

Independent Gal,

Wait, how sure are you that you can bring your own needle?

 

[Independent Gal]

Not that sure at all, unfortunately! I''ve seen similar things done by traveling friends in SEA, but each country is different of course.

I''d ask about that too. You''d want to make sure that baby was all surgically sealed up and everything. Plus, you definitely would have to check your bag.

How good is your SPanish? CAn you just call a hospital down there and ask? Or ask the wedding coordinator to find out for you?

 

[FlatironGuy]

Date: 3/18/2008 4:03:50 PM
Author: Independent Gal
Not that sure at all, unfortunately! I''ve seen similar things done by traveling friends in SEA, but each country is different of course.

I''d ask about that too. You''d want to make sure that baby was all surgically sealed up and everything. Plus, you definitely would have to check your bag.

How good is your SPanish? CAn you just call a hospital down there and ask? Or ask the wedding coordinator to find out for you?

I agree, it would definitely have to be a sealed needle! As far as checking my luggage, that''s not a problem at all because I do that every other week going down to Vegas. I''m not good at Spanish at all, so I wouldn''t be able to do that.

 

[indypitty]

I am getting married in Mexico this June. I think that if you choose a larger, reputable resort, you will not have any problems! Have fun!!!