Legal Ceremonies

The cost of a legal ceremony package with a justice of the peace is $1300 usd.This rate is subject to change.

The ceremony is performed in Spanish, and a translator is available for an additional $220 usd.

The legal ceremony package includes:

◦ Pre-wedding coordination prior to arrival
◦ Pre-wedding meeting on site
◦ Blood test
◦ Legal wedding ceremony
◦ Marriage license
◦ Wedding site on the beach, or other location
◦ Four witnesses, if needed

The justice of the peace will need to meet with the couple at least 2-3 days before the ceremony, to process the paperwork. His office hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays. This is subject to change. He does not hold office hours on Sundays, but he is available to perform ceremonies.

Please note that all documents need to be translated into Spanish, with the translator's signature. It is best to have this done before you arrive, but it may be done here in Tulum if you have arranged ample time before your wedding. Listed below are the required documents needed to get married in Mexico for the bride/groom and for the four witnesses.

• Photocopies and originals of the couple´s valid tourist cards (FMTs)/ visas and valid passports.

• Your birth certificate will need an Apostille by the Secretary of State where the certificate was registered. Both documents will need to be translated into Spanish and signed by a certified translator before your arrival. For more information on Apostilles, please see the links at the bottom of this page.

• Application must be fully completed, with witness names and all spouse and family information.

• A blood test is required within 15 days of the wedding date. The test must be made in Tulum.

• 4 witnesses to the legal ceremony, age 18 or older. They can be either Mexican citizens or foreign, as long as they bring valid identification (passport or, in the case of Mexican citizen, valid voter registration card). However if the witnesses are foreign, they will need to bring copies and the original of their valid tourist card/visa as well. The parents of the couple may not serve as witnesses. If witnesses are needed, we can provide them at no extra cost.

What is an Apostille? Consult this definition of an Apostille along with a complete list of US Secretary of State Agencies. You will need to apply for the Apostille in your country of origin. It can be a lengthy process, and we recommend traveling to Mexico with a valid passport, rather than using a birth certificate. That way you can avoid the Apostille procedure.

Fulfilling these requirements (excepting the Apostille) will take you about 3 days.

If you are divorced or widowed, one full year must elapse from date of either divorce or death of previous spouse. If you are divorced, the final dissolution of marriage must be verified with a certified copy of the divorce decree. If you are widowed, a certified copy of spouse's death certificate must be presented.

Please note that these requirements are for two foreign citizens. If one of the people to be married is a Mexican citizen, the process is lengthy and you will need to present your papers to the Instituto Nacional de Migración well in advance. We recommend applying through the Playa del Carmen immigration office. The foreign citizen must apply to request permission to marry the Mexican citizen. Once permission is granted, the wedding must take place within 30 days.

In order to marry a Mexican citizen, you will need to submit the following paperwork to immigration:

Completed form
- Original and copy of your valid tourist card (FMT) or visa.
- Original and copies of each page of your valid passport.
- Original and two copies of the payment for processing (see the IMS for paperwork needed to place the payment).
- Letter signed by both bride and groom, stating their intention to marry.
- Original and copy of identification of the Mexican citizen, accrediting his/her nationality as such.