Marriage Requirements

Marriage Requirements in Mexico

The following are the requirements for marriage in the Federal District (Mexico City). However, marriage requirements prevailing in the thirty-one states of Mexico are in general very similar to those of the Federal District.

An American or other foreigner wishing to be married in Mexico must present to the appropriate Civil Registry the documents described in the paragraphs below. All documents from U.S., except for the valid U.S. passport, must be authenticated by an American authority (usually the Secretary of State), from the state where they originated, who attaches an “apostille” to the document.

  • In MEXICO, only the civil marriage is recognized as legal. Persons wishing to do so may also have a religious ceremony but it has no legal effect and does not replace in any way the legal binding civil marriage. A civil wedding in Mexico is fully valid for legal purposes worldwide; however, a religious wedding without the civil ceremony is NOT. This point is especially important for couples applying for an immigrant visa, if one of the parties is not a U.S. citizen.
  • Foreigners are not subject to a residence requirement but, will have to identify themselves by presenting their tourist card and/or visa, as well as a valid passport (for some nationalities a certified copy of the birth certificate along with identification will suffice).
  • Marriages are performed for a small fee at the "Oficina del Registro Civil" (Office of the Civil Registry), but they may be performed elsewhere for an extra fee, which should be ascertained from the Civil Registry. There are offices of the Civil Registry in each city or small town in Mexico.
  • Persons under the age of eighteen cannot be married, without the consent of their parents or legal guardians (In any circumstances persons under the age of sixteen, can be married in Mexico). If the parents or guardians cannot be present at the marriage they must grant a power of attorney to another individual to exercise the parental consent at the ceremony. This power of attorney must be authenticated (with the apostille from the local authority) and translated.
    If the power of attorney is issued by a Mexican Consulate, it does not require an apostille to be used in Mexico.
  • Foreigners should present the following to the office of the Civil Registry:
    • A completed application, including a statement as to whether they wish to marry under JOINT or SEPARATE PROPERTY (Application forms are available at the office of the Civil Registry).
    • A certified copy of their birth certificate with the apostille from the local authority I. E. (Secretary of State, Assistant Deputy Secretary of State). It must also be translated in Mexico.
    • A certified copy of the divorce decree. Divorced people cannot marry in Mexico until one year after the termination of the divorce.
      A certified copy of the death certificate.
    If the divorce or death took place outside of Mexico, it must be authenticated (with the apostille from the local authority) and must also be translated in Mexico.
    • Results of the blood test or certificate from a physician in Mexico indicating that both are free of contagious diseases (Tuberculosis, Syphilis or HIV) which are impediments to marriage. (It is recommended that the test be done in Mexico, because the results must be in Spanish).
    • Two legally qualified witnesses (over 18 years of age) who will have to be present at the ceremony.
  • Certified copies of Mexican Marriage Certificate (Acta de matrimonio) may be obtained from the office of the Civil Registry in which the marriage was performed. It is desirable to have the document authenticated by the corresponding Mexican authority, by means of the “apostille”, when applicable.
  • Foreigners wishing to marry in Mexico must first obtain permission to do so from the "Secretaría de Gobernación" (Ministry of Interior) located at:

Instituto Nacional de Migración
Homero 1832, Colonia Polanco
México, Distrito Federal, México
Telephone: (555) 387-2400
(555) 387-2409 (Mexico, City)
Or 01-800-0093-400 (Within Mexico)

The application may be made IN PERSON or by WRITING to the above office IN SPANISH. A certified copy of the birth certificate with apostille should be sent or presented with the application.

Men marrying MEXICAN WOMEN, have to prove their economic solvency. It may be a letter from the employer stating the position, salary, seniority or equivalent proof in the case of self-employed persons, individuals applying in person should present their tourist card and/or visa.

If you are applying by mail do NOT send your tourist card with the application.

The letter from the employer should have the apostille from the local authority.

For apostille requirements, please contact the Secretary of State.

Illinois (217) 782 7017 or (312) 814 2067 in Chicago.

Indiana (317) 232 6531

Iowa (515) 281 5204

Minnesota (612) 296 9216

Wisconsin (608) 266 55 03

CONSULADO GENERAL DE MEXICO
Departamento de Nacionalidad y Registro Civil


Horario: Lunes a viernes, de 8 AM a 1 PM
204 S. Ashland Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60607

TEL.: (312) 738-2383 EXT. 1120 y 1121
FAX: (312) 491-9143

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