The Civil Wedding in Mexico (Matrimonio Civil)

This is the only “legal” ceremony which can actually change your marital status from single to married in Mexico. The “Acta de Matrimonio” or Marriage Certificate which is issued as a result of this act is recognized by the United States, Canada, France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany and most other countries as a legal, binding document. The Civil Wedding ceremony in Mexico must go through the office of the "Registro Civil" with the actual ceremony being performed by one of their justices. The justices perform these marriages in the offices of the "Registro Civil" or, for an additional fee, they will go to the actual wedding site you have chosen. The Justices allow the saying of personal vows.

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Documentation required for each participant in a Civil Marriage Ceremony in Mexico:

1. Valid Passport.
2. One additional form of valid picture identification (normally a drivers license)
3. Original birth certificate.*
4. Mexican entry visa or tourist card (provided by Customs upon arrival at the Los Cabos International Airport)
5. Blood tests results, specifically for blood type, H.I.V. and S.T.D. These tests and the required medical certificate are normally taken care of at the hotel with results in 24 hours.
6. If either party has been married before, the proper dissolution documents, dated at least one year prior to your Mexico wedding date, must be provided:
a. If by divorce, a certified copy of the divorce decree(s)*
b. If by death, a certified copy of the death certificate(s)*
7. Legal documentation of adoption or name change, if applicable*
8. Two witnesses for the bride and two witnesses for the groom (Four witnesses total). If the witnesses are not Mexican citizens, they must provide their Mexico entry visa or tourist card, passport and another form of picture identification. If witnesses are not available, they can be supplied as part of your package.
9. Completed and signed “Application for Civil Marriage”. This is normally ready for you both to sign at our initial consultation meeting upon your arrival in Los Cabos.

Do NOT be alarmed! This seems like a lot of paperwork, but the majority of the work is done for you by our qualified staff prior to and immediately after your arrival, so that all you need to do is present the documents you have brought with you, sign the forms and have your blood tests done three business days before your wedding date. The time is minimal, since everything is pre-arranged and normally done at the hotel.You do not have to spend your precious vacation time with the details.We do that for you so you can relax, see the sights and enjoy each other in the beautiful surroundings.

(*) Please note: All foreign documents (birth certificate, divorce decree, death certificate, etc.) which are to be submitted to Mexican Officials for any legal procedure within the country, must have the legal Spanish translation and must be certified by an APOSTILLE. An apostille is an internationally recognized notary certification, done in the country of origin of the documents, and usually issued by the State Department of each country. In the United States, contact the Secretary of State in the state where you live. In Canada contact your nearest Mexican Embassy Office and ask for the Authentication Document which serves the same purpose as the Apostille document.