Symbolic or legal?
A symbolic ceremony is the celebration: vows, rings, officiant, photos. A legal ceremony is a civil act that creates a marriage recognized by law. Many couples do the symbolic ceremony on the beach and handle the legal part quietly, either in Mexico or back home. You can also do both.
Timing
- Symbolic ceremony: arrive at least 3 business days before
- Legal ceremony: arrive at least 4 business days before. Arrival day counts as day 0
Documents commonly requested
The civil registry sets the requirements and they can change, so we confirm the current list for your nationality when you book. Couples are typically asked for items like these:
- Valid passports and your entry record
- Birth certificates, usually apostilled and translated by an official translator
- Proof of divorce or a death certificate if you were married before
- Adult witnesses, whose number and details the registry specifies
- In some cases, a local medical check
The marriage certificate
The certificate is issued after the legal ceremony. If you need to use it in your home country, ask your local authority whether an apostille or translation is required.
Partnership regime
You will choose how property is managed in the marriage: legal partnership, marital partnership or separation of assets. A notary is required for the marital partnership.
What we do for you
We guide you through each step and coordinate the appointment. Legal fees such as counsel and translation are quoted separately. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
A simple way to plan the paperwork
- Decide if you want a symbolic ceremony, a legal ceremony or both
- Ask us for the current document list for your nationality
- Order certified copies and any apostille or translation in your home country in advance
- Plan to arrive at least 3 business days before a symbolic ceremony or 4 before a legal one
- Attend the appointment with your witnesses and collect the certificate afterward
If you are marrying again
If either of you was married before, bring the divorce decree or death certificate. These documents usually need the same apostille and translation steps as birth certificates.
Frequently asked questions
Do we have to be married legally to have a ceremony?
No. Many couples choose a symbolic ceremony on the beach and take care of the legal paperwork separately.
How long before the wedding should we arrive?
At least 3 business days before a symbolic ceremony and 4 before a legal ceremony. Arrival day counts as day 0.
Do I need a translation of my documents?
Foreign documents usually need an official translation into Spanish. We confirm what applies to you when you book.
Is a legal wedding in Mexico valid in my country?
Marriages performed in Jalisco are generally recognized abroad, but ask your local authority whether an apostille or translation is needed. This is general information, not legal advice.
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