If you are looking to get married in Mexico as a foreigner, first of all, congratulations! Secondly, good news is that rather than filling out paperwork, presenting documents and paying for marriage fees, it’s fairly easy to get it done!

It’s important to know that legal marriages in Mexico are typically performed in a civil ceremony at a Civil Registry Office. Religious ceremonies may follow but are not legally recognized without the civil ceremony, which is why many people tend to do both, with the religious event accompanied by a big party. 

Good news is you don’t need to be a resident to get married in Mexico, but you will need to present the required documentation.

• Valid passport.

• Valid Mexican entry documents (visas, migratory form, etc.).

• Birth certificates.

• Prenuptial agreement where, the parties must specify whether they wish to get married under the system of Joint Ownership Property (sociedad conyugal) or under a Non-joint Ownership Property (separación de bienes).

• If one or both parties is divorced or widowed, submit the appropriate certificate.

• Some states require pre-nuptial medical certificates (must be obtained in Mexico).

• In some states such as Quintana Roo: Riviera Maya, Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Chetumal) four witnesses with official identification. Otherwise, some states may require two witnesses. 

• Proof of fee payments, which varies according to each state. Consult with the Civil Registry Office you are going to get married at.

All foreign documents listed above must be apostilled or legalized in their country of origin and translated into Spanish by an official translator in Mexico.