Marriage requirements for Mexico

Foreigners Getting Married to Foreigners: You don't need to be resident in Mexico in order to get married there, you'll just need a passport and your tourist permit, plus some other paperwork (see below). If you plan to get married to a Mexican in Mexico

If you plan to marry a Mexican National in Mexico, you'll need to fulfil some additional requirements:

In addition to all of the above documentation, you will need to obtain permission from the "Secretaria de Gobernacion - Oficina de Migracion" where for a fee of around US$200/£130 you'll need to acquire a permit to marry a Mexican national. The document is known as "Permiso para contraer matrimonio con un nacional".
The office issuing this permit must be the same office that has jurisdiction over the area where the marriage is to take place - so check beforehand!
This process can take from two days to two weeks, depending on the State and the people at the local government office: be prepared to be patient if you have to! Foreigners wishing to marry a Mexican citizen must first obtain permission to do so from the "Instituto Nacional de Migración" Secretaria de Gobernación (Ministry of Interior).

Marriage Fees

You will need to pay your Marriage License fee (approx £20/US$30*), allow the waiting period to go by (anything from 30 minutes to a few days, depending on the State), and then the ceremony can take place and the marriage will be legal.
The least expensive option is to have the ceremony performed at the Local Registry Office. For a further fee, you can arrange for the ceremony to take place elsewhere (hotel, beach, colonial mansion, etc). You will need to make further arrangements with all parties involved, or instruct your Wedding Planner to arrange this on your behalf.
Once the civil ceremony has been completed, you will need to obtain a certified copy of the marriage certificate (Acta de Matrimonio). This will prove that you have been legally wed in accordance with Mexican law, and the marriage will be recognised just about everywhere in the world where it can be, including the USA, Canada, United Kingdom / EU.
Word is, that local authorities in Cancun are charging foreigners a disproportionate fee of US$600 (£420) for a permit to get married there (locals pay around US$30/£20).

Church Weddings: Are very difficult to arrange here for a variety of reasons, Firstly, the Mexican government recognizes only civil weddings; Secondly, the Roman Catholic Church (which predominates in this country)requires compliance with many formalities, which have proven be cumbersome in most cases. The civil judge, however, has no problem with a minister or lay person being present and speaking at the ceremony, on several occasions, protestant ministers (usually Presbyterian) have read from the bible, etc.

If you would like to get married in a church in Mexico, this can be arranged, although additional planning and fees will be required.

Wedding Video

Free wedding package for 2007 & 2008

Wedding package cost: Free **Some restrictions apply. Note: Package inclusions cannot be exchanged for additional services. Applies to USA residents. Free wedding package must be reserved in advance at least 7 business days prior to arrival at the resort. Free wedding package will not apply if requested on site.
Our free wedding package includes the following:
• Wedding gazebo • All document arrangements • Justice of the peace • Marriage certificate (Document issued in Spanish) • White folding chairs (extra chairs available upon request) • Domestic champagne for guests during the ceremony (4 bottles max) • Dinner reservations for the wedding party* • Special breakfast in bed the morning after the wedding • Candlelight dinner for the bride and groom with special menu and decoration • Fruit basket and bottle of sparkling wine in room • Honeymooners' weekly cocktail party with memento photograph for the couple • CD Player or tape player available (bring your special songs) • Red carpeted walkway • Wedding coordinator • Witnesses if required • Late check out until 6:00 p.m. (upon request and availability) * Only at selected restaurants ( Up to 50 guests at Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort and Aventura Spa Palace) This offer is valid only for guests staying at selected Wedding Resorts (Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort, Aventura Spa Palace or Playacar Palace) for the entire stay. Travel Agent, discounted or complementary stays do not qualify. Non-commissionable to Travel Agents Wedding guests residing at a non Palace Resorts property are required to purchase a day pass. A penalty of $300.00 will be charged to credit card if reservation is cancelled within 45 days of the wedding date

Welcome to XPU-HA PALACE

Immersed in the lush vegetation of the Riviera Maya, this 37-acre property offers an oasis of peaceful seclusion. Designed in harmony with its backdrop, the eco friendly resort invites guests to linger in its bungalow-style accommodations. Numerous areas harboring many species of wildlife, two restaurants, snack bars, spa treatment rooms, an expansive 6,725 sq. ft. pool and a kids club are some of the amenities of this cozy resort.

Luxurious accommodations
Fine dining
Delicious snacks
Top shelf drinks (domestic & imported)
24 hr. room service
Non-motorized water sports
Sensational entertainment
All taxes & gratuities
Wireless Internet

Tours: unlimited tours with the Palace Passport promotion effective through Dec. 23 2007 (*)
Tour choices: Chichen Itza/Chichen Itza Light & Sound, Ek-Balam/Valladolid, Tulum Paradise, Isla Mujeres, Coba, Wet’nWild, and Paradise Snorkeling (Per person).

(*) Available to US, Canada and Mexico
residents. Restrictions apply.

Facilities

With the Caribbean Sea in your backyard and an ecological park surrounding you, Xpu-Ha Palace is quite unlike any other vacation destination. Clear estuary waters guarantee excellent diving and snorkeling conditions and make for wonderful kayak excursions, while ecological tours provide a more diverse perspective of the area’s ecology. Other recreational pursuits take full advantage of the scenery: walking and bicycling. Regardless of how you choose to spend the day, Xpu-Ha Palace has something for everyone.

Outdoor pool w/sections for kids, teens & adults
Swim up bar
Kiddie pool at the Kids Club
Ecological tour
Kayak & snorkeling
Mini zoo
Gym
8 spa treatment rooms
Bicycles
Kids club (ages 4-12)
Beauty salon ($)
Gift shop ($)
Daily activities
Evening entertainment

Hotel Services

Don't let the thatched hut accommodations fool you. Nestled in intimate bungalows throughout this incredibly natural property, you will find all the vacation comforts you desire. Families flock to the Kids Club, while those in need of pampering make their way to the beauty salon. When exploring this fascinating property on foot or by bicycle, you will discover untold gems such as the panoramic trail with startling ocean views. In addition, daily excursions to the area's most famous sites let you explore the world beyond their eco-Eden.

Concierge
Bell staff service
Massages ($)
Travel agency ($)
Car rental ($)
Doctor on calls 24 hrs ($)
Ice machines
Taxis available 24 hours ($)
Dry cleaning and laundry service ($)
Cribs, rollaways & wheelchairs on request
Currency exchange
A Day of Spa desk ($)
ATM machine
Wireless Internet