are there any requirements for getting married in mexico?

There is nothing more romantic than getting married on the beach in Mexico! Sand between your toes and warm ocean breezes on your skin as you exchange salty kisses and wedding vows….sigh. Perfect.

You know you want to get married in Mexico, but now you need to know how to get married in Mexico! So before you hop on a plane destined south to say ‘I do’, here are the requirements to get married in Mexico that will make your marriage legal.

What documents will we need to get married in Mexico?

Before you leave, make sure both of your passports will be valid for six months or more from the day you arrive. That goes for your witnesses as well. It’s a smart idea to carry a few copies of those passports with you, just to avoid any unnecessary hassles or delays. When you enter the country you will be given a tourist visa. It seems like an unnecessary scrap of paper, but don’t lose it! You will need it to get married. Here is a complete list of paperwork to bring with you.

When should we arrive in Mexico for our wedding?

Both of you, and also your witnesses, need to be in the country for three working days before the day of your wedding. For example, if you land on Monday then the earliest you can get married is Thursday. Working days are typically Monday through Friday, but Mexico also has a lot of holidays that are probably unfamiliar to you, so make sure you do your research or ask your travel agent.

Do we really need a blood test to get married in Mexico?

This depends on the state that you are getting married in Mexico as they have different laws regarding blood tests. Yes, if you want to have a legal, civil ceremony in the state of Quintana Roo (think Cancun to Tulum along the Riviera Maya) then you will need to have a blood test. And yes, it will need to be done in Mexico. They are testing for HIV, STDs and blood type.

Don’t worry though! This is really easy because you most likely have a wedding planner who is going to arrange for the doctor to come right to you at your hotel room. The only thing you will need to prep for is having cash on hand to pay the doc. That amount is subject to change, so make sure you travel with a little extra.

Will we need to speak Spanish for our wedding ceremony?

No, if you want English, then your wedding ceremony will be in English. There are tons of qualified, English-speaking marriage officiants in the big tourist destinations like the Riviera Maya. However, your marriage license is going to be in Spanish. This is not a big deal for Canadians, but for Americans living in certain states, it might be necessary to have it translated before your marriage can be recognized as legal. (That’s in our post about US citizens getting married in Mexico.)

When considering what you need to get married in Mexico, it’s important to note that the laws tend to be dynamic and can change at the drop of a hat. Here is a great resource for up-to-date information on getting married in Mexico. But all things considered, it’s a pretty easy process to get married on the beach in Mexico. You will likely have a wedding planner or coordinator who is going to help you plan your destination wedding and hold your hand through the whole process, so don’t worry about a thing! Come, enjoy, and be married!

And if you want the best destination wedding photographer to capture it all, then contact us today! We are Fun In The Sun Weddings, your best choice for wedding photography in the Riviera Maya, Mexico.