To tie the knot south of the border, the requirements vary depending on which state you’re marrying in. We’re working on getting all the requirements for different states, but there are some things you’ll need to know regardless of exactly where in Mexico you decide to have your special day. Here are some of the basic wedding requirements in Mexico.

For specific requirements in each state, check that region’s page on Honeymoons.com. If it’s not there yet, we’re working on it! Soon enough we’ll will have a complete guide to having your destination wedding in Mexico. The best way to ensure a stress-free experience is by using the expertise of a trusted wedding planner, so we’ve provided a short list of some great Mexico wedding planners at the bottom of the page.

•  ~Basic Tips and Documents

Both bride and groom will need documents like their passports and birth certificates. Passports must be valid at least 6 months after the wedding date, and some things will have to be translated into Spanish and notarized. Again, the easiest way to make sure you’re meeting all the wedding requirements in Mexico is to hire a wedding planner or marry through a hotel that provides these services.

Some hotels are approved by the Mexican government to translate your documents, but any wedding planner worth their salt will have additional places where you can get this done. Other than passports, other documents have to be authenticated by your own government. In the US, this is the Office of Authentication at the State Department, and in the UK it’s the Foreign Office. Your wedding planner should be able to arrange this. Couples should also plan some extra time into the trip, as there can be a waiting period for the wedding application of up to several days depending on the state, and everything takes additional time to be processed. Oh, and take note – If one or both of you is a Mexican national, there are additional steps not mentioned here!

• ~Forms, Fees and Processes (Oh my!)

You’ll still need to get your passports and birth certificates notarized by a consulate in Mexico. You’ll also need a marriage application from a local registry, your tourist permit, and death or divorce documents if you’ve been previously married. Couples will also need to have their tourist visas and arrange to have blood tests, and sometimes Chest X-Rays, to be done locally before they can wed. The typical cost is around US $250.

Weddings that take place outside the civil registry office, which is most, are charged a fee that varies by state. There is an additional fee for religious marriages as opposed to legally-binding civil ones, and the church will have its own wedding rules. The wedding license from the Mexican government usually costs around US$30. Once a marriage is complete, the certificate should be legalized in Mexico to ensure that it can then be “authenticated” by their home government, which is a requirement for the marriage to be legally recognized in their home country.

Most states require 4 witnesses to the legal ceremony, and each witness must have their own Passport. In some cases, witnesses may be provided as part of a resort area’s wedding package.

• ~Mexico Wedding Planners

Finally, here is a quick list of some Mexican destination wedding planners who can help you tie the knot without tying yourselves into knots! Their expertise goes a long way for couples trying to understanding the sometimes-confusing wedding requirements in Mexico.

1. Planner 1 Events – Gabriela Lavor
   www.planner1events.com
   [email protected]
   52-998-2520157
2. Diamant Event – Ilse Damant
   [email protected]
   52-998-883-1171
3. My Wedding In Cancun – Karla Cuesas
   www.MyWeddingInCancun.com
   52-998-577-0072
4. Tropical Wedding Experts – Andrea Olivieri
   www.TropicalWeddingExperts.com
   [email protected]
   52-998-193-3964
5. My Wedding Consultant – Grisell Balderas
   www.My-PerfectWedding.com
   [email protected]
   917-336-2934 (US)
6. Dream Weddings Cancun by Groupo Intermar – Reyna Aké Perez
   www.DreamWeddingsCancun.com
   [email protected]
   52-998-136-2445
7. Cancun Unique Weddings – Joss Morales
   www.CancunUniqueWeddings.com
   [email protected]
   52-998-206-1177
8. Whitechic – Ivana Lo Cascio
   www.WhitechicWedding.com
   [email protected]
   998-229-8298
9. Alquimia Events – Perla Cervantes Moreno
   www.AlquimiaEvents.com
   [email protected]
   52-998-2753195
10. Coordina Events – Rodrigo Balcazar
    www.CoordinaTuEvento.com
    [email protected]
    52-998-100-9789