MEXICO WEDDING INFORMATION

This is the most complete, reliable and straight-to-the-point source of information for a destination wedding in Mexico. Here you will learn What documents8 you require, How8 and Where8 to get them and their legalization process8.  This information was compiled from the websites of the Mexican Consulates and Embassies in Canada and the US and tips from clients who have “been there” and “done that”, plus my 15+ years of experience helping Canadians with their destination weddings in Mexico.  If you continue beyond this point, you have read and accepted the Waiver8.

1. Documents REQUIRED BY CANADIANS FOR A DESTINATION WEDDING IN MEXICO
2. If never married before:
3. i) Passport8: Your marriage will be formalized in the name appearing on it, which must match to all your other documents. A copy of the two main pages must also be available for step 2.
4. ii) Canadian Birth Certificate ⁽¹⁾ (Original or certified copy)

• Long form8: Accepted in all Mexican states.
• Short form (wallet-credit-card size)8: Not accepted by most Mexican states.

iii)   Affidavit of Single Marital Status and/or change of name8: ⁽²⁾ required only in some states.

iii)   Visa: Not required for Canadian citizens and only some permanent residents.

1. If previously married:

The previously married person must also produce one of the following documents:

1. i) Canadian divorce Certificate or Court Ruling8: ⁽¹⁾ (Original or certified copy)
2. ii) Canadian death Certificate of Spouse8: ⁽¹⁾ (Original or certified copy).

iii)   Affidavit of name change8: ⁽²⁾ Some Mexican states require it when name in passport and birth certificate do not match, in others the combination of birth and divorce/death certificates is sufficient.

2. legal DUE pROCESS OF DOCUMENTS

For a foreign document in a language other than Spanish to valid in Mexico, it must be:

8. Officially translated into Spanish by an accredited translator and professionally typewritten (without corrections or erasures) ⁽³⁾. For the most convenient price and turnaround, deal directly with the translator (not an agency). Contact Victor toll free at 1-888-847-8906 or by e-mail8.
9. Legalized (Apostilled) by local Canadian Government: by the Provincial Official Document Services or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa (CN$32.00/document). This is on you in the DIY8 option (3a), but included in the SMAT8 option (3b).
10. c. Legalized by a Mexican Consulate: Book an appointment to take the package of apostiled documents (2a & 2b) to the nearest Mexican Consulate (10:00 am to 1:00 pm only) with your payment in cash or money order (no credit/debit cards accepted). Return next day for pickup. Note: the fee varies the first day of every month, but is around CN$40.00 per set of English/Spanish documents.

 

Notes:

(1)   Documents not issued in Canada must be authenticated by a Consulate of the issuing country in Canada or by a Mexican Consulate in the issuing country, prior to translation and legalization by the Mexican Consulate in Canada.

(2)   The template for the affidavit of single marital status and/or name change is provided with the translation at no additional cost.

(3)   Warning: Don’t be surprised by some misinformation stating that for translations to be valid in Mexico they must be done only by certain translation agencies or done in Mexico. It is a money grabbing attempt to charge outrageous fees once you are there without options.  As far as I know, that is required only in Mexico City, which is easily overcome with a tip to a local translator to endorse the translation with his signature and stamp.

 

 

 

3. DUE PROCESS OPTIONS
4. The Do It Yourself option

Victor will provide you with the translation of the documents certified by a Notary Public and you take care of steps 2b & 2c.

1. The Save Money, Aggravation and Time option

In addition to the translation of your documents, Victor can take care of the whole Canadian (2.b) and Mexican (2c) legalization processes in a more cost-effective way for you, with a total lead time (including translation and mailing time) of +/-10 days Contact Víctor toll free at 1-888-847-8906 or by e-mail8

4. IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR A MEXICAN WEDDING
5. E-mail or fax the documents (English and Spanish translation) legalized by the Mexican Consulate to your hotel/resort in Mexico as soon as you have them.
6. Take all your original documents to Mexico, even if you are taking certified copies.
7. A locally performed blood test is required in most Mexican states.
8. Some Mexican States require foreigners to obtain a local marriage authorization (wedding license).
9. Two witnesses of legal age or four (depending on the Mexican) are required at the ceremony (hotel may provide them if necessary).
10. Religious marriages require an additional ceremony. Information must be obtained from the corresponding local church officials.

1. Mexican rules will govern your matrimonial contract, even among Canadian couples, and are enforceable in Canada.  At the wedding ceremony, most Mexican states allow the couple to choose between the regimes of independent or joint (matrimonial) ownership of equity/assets. Some states even attach the contract to the marriage certificate (i.e. Baja Ca). So you might want to supersede that with a prenuptial agreement. When the spouse is from Mexico, the prenup must be drawn in Canada in English and translated into Spanish for both to sign the English and Spanish versions in front of a Notary Public in Canada and in Mexico.

5. OFFICIAL ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF Your MEXICAN MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE

When you have your Spanish Mexican marriage certificate, I will provide you with its official certified English translation to register your new marital status and change of name in the Social Insurance, new passport, Provincial health Plan, Driver’s license, incorporate your spouse to your employer’s benefits plan, etc. I am an accredited translator by the Ministries of Citizen and Immigration of Canada (CIC-IRB) and of the Ministry of the Attorney General. Contact Victor toll free: 1-888-847-8906 or by e-mail8

6. SPONSORING residenCE OF FOREIGN spouse AND MINOR CHILDREN in canada

Marriage to a Canadian citizen does not does not grant the foreign spouse immediate/automatic residence in Canada.  The Canadian spouse must sponsor the foreign spouse which usually takes 8 to 12 months. There is no need to retain the services of a lawyer at this stage.

1. Your sponsorship application must be accompanied by the following translated documents:
2. Mexican Marriage Certificate
3. Spouse’s Birth Certificate and Certificate of Criminal Records Clearance

iii.   The child(ren)’s Birth Certificate(s) and Notarized permit of the other parent to bring the child(ren) to Canada for permanent residence.

 

 

1. WARNING: There is always a chance for the application to be denied on the basis that the marriage was a wedding of convenience or in bad faith. In that case you must initiate an appeal process that may take many, many months (1+ years). In this case it is recommendable to retain the services of a lawyer.
2. In the event of an appeal, you must be able to produce documented evidence (going back to before the wedding day to proof that the wedding was in good faith and that it is still in good standing; i.e.: telephone bills for long distance calls (not calling cards), airline tickets for trips, mail with dated postal seals (not e-mails), proof of support by remittance of money, etc.

 

7. Canadian certificates

a.   Birth Certificates

·         The long form containing all the data in the record of birth: name, date and place of birth, sex, weight, attending physician, parents’ info, registration dates of registration and issuance. Spanish translation required8

• The short form is the wallet-credit card-sized format containing only your name, date of birth, certificate number, birthplace, sex, date of registration and the date issued.

1. To obtain a Birth, Marriage or Death Certificate, click on the flag of the issuing Province

Alberta8	British Columbia8	Manitoba8	New Brunswick8	New Fdlnd Lab8
NW Territories8	Nova Scotia8	Nunavut8	Ontario8	Prince Ed Isld8
	Quebec8	Saskatchewan8	Yukon8

 

1. How to obtain a Canadian Divorce Certificate

Call the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings in Ottawa (613)957-4519. This is a Canada-wide index of divorces begun after July 1968. Provide the names of the divorcing parties (including the wife’s maiden name if known) and get the number of the Courthouse where the divorce took place, the file number and year; then contact the Clerk of that court and ask for your divorce certificate. Spanish translation required8

1. Affidavit of Single Marital Status and/or Change of Name

Must be drawn in English for each marrying person, signed and witnessed by a Notary Public (not just a Commissioner to take oaths or certify signatures) before I translate it. If I do your translations, I will provide you with the English format for your lawyer/notary to complete. Spanish translation required8

Confirm with the Civil Registry Office or the hotel/resort where the wedding will take place if the affidavits are required.

1. How to obtain a Canadian Divorce Certificate

Call the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings in Ottawa (613)957-4519. This is a Canada-wide index of divorces begun after July 1968. Provide the names of the divorcing parties (including the wife’s maiden name if known) and get the number of the Courthouse where the divorce took place, the file number and year; then contact the Clerk of that court and ask for your divorce certificate.

8.   WAIVER

The information provided here, verbally or in any other way, is in good faith and believed to be true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and applicable to all Mexico. However, there may be slight variations in some places due to local State regulations. It is your responsibility to confirm the information with the Mexican Consulate or better yet, with the local Office of the Civil Registry or the resort/hotel where the wedding will take place.  There will be absolutely no responsibility or liability of any kind or for any reason on my part for the results of the decisions you make based on this information, and no refunds will be made. Please fell free to contact clients who have provided testimonies.