Honeymoons and Weddings in Mexico: Planning Guide

Key takeaways

• Legal weddings: each state's Civil Registry sets its own rules, so requirements differ between Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and the Riviera Maya.

• Paperwork: foreign documents generally need an apostille and an official Spanish translation.

• Timing: hurricane season runs from May 15 on the Pacific and June 1 on the Caribbean, ending November 30 on both coasts.

• Babymoons: the CDC lists Zika for Mexico and advises avoiding mosquito bites.

Getting legally married in Mexico

Marriage in Mexico is handled by the Civil Registry of each of the 31 states and Mexico City, so the exact rules depend on where you marry. According to Mexico's Foreign Ministry, the registry may ask for passports, proof of legal entry into Mexico, birth certificates and a choice between joint and separate property. Divorced or widowed partners need the divorce decree or death certificate. A pre-nuptial medical certificate has to be issued in Mexico, and what it involves varies by state.

Foreign documents generally have to be apostilled in the country that issued them and then translated into Spanish by an official translator in Mexico. Some states require witnesses with official ID; Quintana Roo, which includes Cancún and the Riviera Maya, asks for four. After the wedding, couples usually get certified copies of the marriage certificate and have them apostilled for use at home.

Symbolic or civil ceremony

Many couples hold the legal civil ceremony at home and a symbolic ceremony in Mexico, which avoids the Mexican paperwork. A symbolic ceremony has no legal effect, so only a civil ceremony performed by the Civil Registry counts as a marriage in Mexico.

When to plan a beach wedding or honeymoon

According to the US National Hurricane Center, the eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to November 30 and the Atlantic season from June 1 to November 30. That's why many beach weddings in Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and the Riviera Maya are planned for the drier months between December and April.

Where couples go

The Mexican Caribbean, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta are among the most popular places for destination weddings, and couples from the United States and Canada make up the largest share of foreign weddings. San Miguel de Allende and Oaxaca draw couples who want colonial architecture and a city setting.

Babymoon travel and Zika

The CDC's Mexico page lists Zika, which spreads through mosquito bites and can pass from a pregnant person to the baby, and advises travelers to avoid bug bites. The CDC's wider Zika guidance also tells pregnant travelers to talk to a healthcare provider before a trip.

Frequently asked questions

Is a wedding in Mexico legally recognized in the US?

A civil marriage is generally recognized in the US if it is valid under Mexican law. Couples usually apostille the marriage certificate so it can be used at home.

Do you need a blood test to get married in Mexico?

A pre-nuptial medical certificate issued in Mexico is required, and some states include blood tests. Rules vary by state, so check with the Civil Registry where you plan to marry.

What is the best month for a beach wedding in Mexico?

Many couples choose December to April, outside the hurricane seasons, which end on November 30 on both coasts.

What is the difference between a symbolic and a legal wedding in Mexico?

A symbolic ceremony doesn't have legal effect. Only a civil ceremony performed by the Civil Registry is a legal marriage in Mexico.