Stuff To Know About Cancun, Mexico

Getting Married in Mexico

Cancun is a very beautiful and romantic location for a wedding and/or honeymoon, and many tourists get married here.  However, there are legal requirements (see below) for getting married in Mexico that differ from the U.S. and Cananda. If you are staying at a Palace Resorts property, you're in luck as Palace Resorts has a wedding coordinator that can handle most of the compliance for you on site - proper advance planning will ensure that your wedding is perfect.  Also be sure to see our pages on Weddings and Wedding Requirements for further details. 

If you are not a guest of a Palace resort, be prepared to hire someone who speaks the language and understands the legal requirements, can handle the translations for the necessary documentation, and procedures, since you likely will not want to spend all of your time in Cancun running around after all of the necessary papers and permits.  Check with these local Cancun businesses that handle weddings.

Documents Required for Civil Office
• Home address and occupations (bride & groom)
• Birth certificates (Original or certified copy of each one)
• Valid passports (Although passports are not required for US citizens for entry into Mexico, they are mandatory for weddings)
• Original blood test (to determine blood type, HIV and STD). Tests must be taken at the resort and results are ready within 24 hours (Fee of approximately $50.00 per person applies)
• Certified copy of former spouse's death certificate (If applicable)*
• Certified copy of Divorce decree (If applicable)*. If divorced more than once, please bring each divorce decree with the Apostille attached.
• Legal documentation of adoption or name change (if applicable)*
• Tourist ID (provided by customs upon your arrival at Cancun International Airport). Names on Tourist ID and Passport MUST be the same.
• Name, age, nationality, home address, occupation, passport and tourist ID of 4 witnesses. Witnesses must arrive two (2) days prior to ceremony. If witnesses are not available, Palace Resorts will provide them.
• Bride and Groom must arrive in Cancun at least 3 working days prior to the wedding ceremony to meet with the wedding coordinator and submit all documents. Ceremony will not be performed unless all documents are in order. (no exceptions). All documents become the property of the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico.
• Important - If the Bride or Groom's nationality is Mexican, additional documents are required. Please advise your wedding coordinator. Names on Tourist ID, divorce decree and Passport MUST be the same.
•FMT tourist card (This document will be given to you by the airline and stamped by the Immigration Officer upon arrival in Mexico)
•4 Witnesses, if not Mexican nationals, then their valid passport and FMT tourist cards are required (Tourist card be given to you by the airline and stamped by the Immigration Officer upon arrival in Mexico)

* An Apostille Document MUST be attached to divorce decrees, death certificates, Adoption and name change documents. For information on how to obtain the Apostille document please contact the Secretary of State office or visit www.state.gov/www/authenticate or www.coordinatedlegal.com/secretaryOfState

Please note that divorce decrees, Apostille documents, death certificates, adoption and name change documents MUST be translated into Spanish by a certified translator and notarized. Translation services are provided at the resort. (Fee approx. $40.00 per document/per page applies).

Important Notes:
** Do Not Send Documents by Mail **