CIVIL (legal ceremony)
The Civil Ceremony is in Spanish and is approx. 15 minutes and is presented by the official judge from the Civil Registry of Puerto Vallarta. The civil ceremony can take place at your wedding location on the beach, villa or restaurant. If you are having a civil ceremony, the ceremony would have to be translated and is normally translated by your wedding coordinator. After the ceremony, each couple receives an official marriage certificate in Puerto Vallarta.
Documents - To marry legally in Mexico, so it is recognized in your country, you must obtain certified copies of your birth certificates with an attachment called an "apostille" from the vital statistics department of your State Department.
Briefing - Prenuptial Briefing - Every couple having a civil ceremony in Puerto Vallarta, must attend a prenuptial briefing before the wedding, where they shall be required to watch a short videotape about marriage. The briefing is mandatory to all couples and there are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule. The Briefing day is now every Friday at 9:00am (as of January 24 / 07) and takes place at the family developement center (DIF). The coordinator will pick you up at 8:15am at your hotel to take you to the briefing and take you back after. Failing to attend this briefing forfeits the ceremony and the legalization of the wedding in Vallarta will not be granted.
Special briefing dates can be arranged on other days of the week, if you are unable to attend on Friday. It can be from Monday to Thursday. The briefing time depends on what day you request a special briefing. Consult with your coordinator about the time. There is a fee of $50 dollars by DIF for a special briefing arrangement.
There is no said time period a couple must be in Puerto Vallarta before their wedding date, however we recommend that you plan your travel itinerary to make sure you will be in Vallarta before 8:00am on the Friday before your wedding date, so you are able to attend this briefing, so please let your coordinator know your arrival date.
Blood Tests - The law in Mexico requires that you have the blood tests in Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) prior to the ceremony. We will take you to the lab for blood test that checks for blood type and factor only. There are no other examinations necessary.
Witnesses - You require only two witnesses in the state of Jalisco. (witnesses can be friends or family members but not parents and must be over 18 and present at the ceremony in Vallarta with their original Id's in order to sign the marriage certificate) If necessary we can act as witnesses for you.
Your wedding coordinator will provide the rest of the information and instructions you need to prepare all your documents for a civil ceremony, upon reservation of your ceremony date with the Civil Judge from the Civil Rgistry. |
