GETTING MARRIED IN MEXICO

In Mexico only civil marriage is recognized as legal. Persons wishing to get married in Mexico may also have a religious ceremony, but it will have no legal implications. A civil wedding in Mexico is fully valid for legal purposes worldwide. However, a religious wedding without a civil ceremony is not. Foreigners are not subject to a residence requirement, but will have to identify themselves by presenting their tourist cards and/or visas as well as a copy of their passports.

Marriages are performed for a small fee at the "Oficina del Registro Civil" (Civil Register Office), but they may be performed elsewhere for an additional fee, which should be ascertained from the Civil Register. There are offices of the Civil Register in each city or small town in Mexico.

Divorced persons cannot marry in Mexico until one year after the divorce has been pronounced. Persons under 18 years of age cannot be married without a parent or legal guardian consent.

Foreigners must present the following:
* An application, including a statement as to whether they wish to marry under joint or separate property (forms available at the Civil Register).
*A certified copy of their birth certificate.
* If necessary, a certified copy of the divorce decree previously legalized by the Mexican Consular Office under whose jurisdiction the divorced was pronounced.
* Thorax x-ray plates.
* Blood tests (it is suggested that this test be done in Mexico, so that the results be written in Spanish).
*Two legally qualified witnesses (over 18 years of age, who must be present at the ceremony).
Copies of marriage certificates will be available at the corresponding Civil Register Office.
Foreigners wishing to marry a Mexican citizen must obtain authorization from the National Institute for Migration (Instituto Nacional de Migración).

Consular Fees

Fees for consular and migratory services provided by the Consular Offices of Mexico are established by the Mexican Ministry of Finance through the Federal Law of Duties, which is updated every six months. Fees are established in U.S. dollars. Obviously, there is no problem when the services are provided in the United States, but when they are provided in another country and must, consequently, be paid in a currency other than the U.S. dollar, it is necessary to calculate the cost of the service following the exchange rate of the local currency to the U.S. dollar. Since the exchange rates vary continuously, our Consular Offices must adjust the fees monthly. It is recommended to ask for the cost of consular or migratory services at the moment the service is required.