Destination Weddings: What do you Need to Know in Playa del Carmen?
Getting married in Mexico isn’t as easy as many couples assume it will be, so don’t head there expecting a quick, easy wedding. You need to know what documents to bring with you and understand the Mexican marriage license requirements. Don’t stress out, people do it every day, so Yes! You can have a beautiful beach wedding in Mexico with a few or many guests as you desire. The following is a guide to help you with some of the details. Let’s start with documentation and timing.
Have an intimate or a large beach wedding!
Documentation and Timing
You will need a marriage application from the local registry office in Mexico, passports that are valid for at least 6 months, Tourist Card/Visa (they issue these on the plane flying into Mexico) and certifiedbirth certificates. You probably won’t get any of these returned to you, so you need to have an official copy.
If you are widowed you must provide original death certificate(s), not copies.
If the groom is divorced no additional documentation is needed. If the bride is divorced(must be for one 1 year before remarrying) and her passport is under her maiden name no additional documentation is needed. If the bride’s passport is under her ex-husbands last name than she must have her birth and divorce certificate translated in to Spanish by an official translator and Apostille Seal . This is required for a legal ceremony to be performed. The Apostille is necessary when issuing a document from one country to another for legal purposes. US citizens can read additional info on how to obtain the an Apostille document please contact the Secretary of State Office.
Violinists, DJ’s, mariachis – whatever entertainment you want is available for your wedding on the beach in Playa del Carmen
You will also need chest X-rays and blood tests (done in Mexico) if the state requires it. These cost approximately $125 per person.
All documents must be translated into Spanish, notarized by a Mexican Consulate and be legalized in your home country.
You are required to have a civil ceremony, meaning it is officiated by a Mexican justice of the peace. You can also have a religious ceremony, but if only a priest officiates, it is a symbolic wedding, not a legal wedding.
Secure your wedding documentation. After your civil ceremony, you need to obtain a marriage certificate. You will then need to have it “apostilled” and translated to English by your country’s embassy. An apostilled document is a special document attached to your foreign document to make it legal in your country.
It generally takes 3 days in Mexico to get all of the paperwork ready, so plan for the ceremony to take place no earlier than your 4th day in Mexico.
Be swept off your feet with a beach wedding at El Taj Ocean
Wedding Planners
Many hotels and high end condo/hotels, like El Taj Ocean, have their own dedicated wedding planners, who can assist with everything! If you stay on the property, they will often provide their services for free or at greatly reduced rates.
For details on Photographers, Music, and Wedding Planners, click here.
Here’s a list of a few other sites regarding documentation and timing
http://www.mexperience.com/mexico-weddings/getting-married-in-mexico.php