What You Need for a Civil Wedding in Mexico
Requirements for a civil marriage in Mexico vary by state. Each federal entity has its own Civil Code and Civil Registry with specific rules on documents, timelines, costs, and medical exams. This guide covers the 10 most relevant states for destination weddings with requirements current as of 2026.
Base Documents (Apply in All States)
Before reviewing state differences, these documents are universal:
- Recent original birth certificate (no older than 6 months in most states).
- Valid official ID (INE, passport, or professional license) for both parties.
- Recent proof of address (no older than 3 months).
- CURP for both parties.
- Official ID for witnesses (2 to 4 depending on the state).
- Property agreement (community property or separation of assets). If no agreement is presented, some states apply community property by default.
For divorced individuals: previous marriage certificate with marginal divorce annotation. For widowed individuals: death certificate of the former spouse.
Requirements by State
CDMX
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prenuptial exams | Not mandatory since 2019 |
| Witnesses | 4 (2 per party) |
| Cost at office | ~$1,200 MXN |
| Cost at venue | $3,800–$5,500 MXN (varies by borough and day) |
| Processing time | 5–8 business days |
| Minimum age | 18 years |
| Birth certificate validity | No older than 6 months |
The ceremony at the venue is requested at the Civil Registry of the corresponding borough. Saturdays and Sundays have a higher rate.
State of Mexico
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prenuptial exams | Yes: complete blood count, VDRL, blood type |
| Witnesses | 4 |
| Cost at office | ~$1,500 MXN |
| Cost at venue | $4,000–$6,000 MXN |
| Processing time | 8–10 business days |
| Medical certificate | Issued by a licensed physician, no older than 15 days |
Exams must be accompanied by a medical certificate with seal and professional license. Prenuptial lab packages: $500–$800 MXN.
Morelos (Cuernavaca, Tepoztlán)
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prenuptial exams | Yes: blood analysis with medical certificate |
| Witnesses | 4 |
| Cost at office | ~$1,000 MXN |
| Cost at venue | $4,500–$7,000 MXN |
| Processing time | 8–12 business days |
| Premarital talk | Not mandatory for civil marriage |
For weddings at venues in Cuernavaca like Hacienda San Gabriel de las Palmas or in Tepoztlán, the process is handled at the Civil Registry of the corresponding municipality. Cuernavaca and Jiutepec have offices with greater service capacity.
Querétaro
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prenuptial exams | Yes: complete blood count and VDRL |
| Witnesses | 4 |
| Cost at office | ~$1,200 MXN |
| Cost at venue | $5,000–$8,000 MXN |
| Processing time | 8–10 business days |
| Certificate of no impediment | Required if the parties do not reside in Querétaro |
The certificate of no impediment is obtained at the Civil Registry of the party's place of residence.
Guanajuato (San Miguel de Allende)
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prenuptial exams | Yes: medical certificate with analysis |
| Witnesses | 4 |
| Cost at office | ~$1,400 MXN |
| Cost at venue | $5,500–$9,000 MXN |
| Processing time | 10–12 business days |
| Certificate of singleness | Required |
The San Miguel Civil Registry handles venue wedding requests with a minimum of 20 days' notice. Venues like Rosewood San Miguel de Allende and Instituto Allende frequently host civil ceremonies.
Yucatán (Mérida)
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prenuptial exams | Yes: complete blood count, VDRL, blood type, HIV (voluntary) |
| Witnesses | 4 |
| Cost at office | ~$900 MXN |
| Cost at venue | $3,500–$6,000 MXN |
| Processing time | 10–15 business days |
| Premarital talk | Mandatory (DIF Yucatán), 1 session |
The premarital talk (DIF) lasts 2 hours and is scheduled by appointment. For weddings at haciendas like Hacienda Sac Chich or Hacienda Chaká, plan at least 30 days in advance.
Quintana Roo (Riviera Maya)
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prenuptial exams | Yes: blood analysis |
| Witnesses | 4 |
| Cost at office | ~$1,100 MXN |
| Cost at venue | $5,000–$10,000 MXN |
| Processing time | 10–15 business days |
| Residency certificate | Not required for non-residents |
The municipalities of Solidaridad (Playa del Carmen) and Benito Juárez (Cancún) handle a high volume of destination weddings. Venues like Rosewood Mayakoba and Blue Venado frequently host judges.
Baja California Sur (Los Cabos)
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prenuptial exams | Yes: medical certificate with blood analysis |
| Witnesses | 4 |
| Cost at office | ~$1,300 MXN |
| Cost at venue | $6,000–$12,000 MXN |
| Processing time | 10–12 business days |
| Certified translation | Required for documents in another language |
Venue fees are among the highest in the country. For weddings at venues like Grand Velas Los Cabos, your wedding planner can manage the documents as part of the service.
Oaxaca
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prenuptial exams | Yes: complete blood count and VDRL |
| Witnesses | 4 |
| Cost at office | ~$800 MXN |
| Cost at venue | $3,500–$5,500 MXN |
| Processing time | 8–12 business days |
| Apostilled certificates | Required if issued in another state |
For weddings at former haciendas like Ex Hacienda Santa Rosa, the Oaxaca de Juárez Civil Registry handles requests with a minimum of 15 days' notice.
Jalisco
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prenuptial exams | Not mandatory (eliminated in 2022 reform) |
| Witnesses | 2 (reform reduced from 4 to 2) |
| Cost at office | ~$1,000 MXN |
| Cost at venue | $4,000–$7,000 MXN |
| Processing time | 5–8 business days |
Jalisco simplified requirements in 2022: no prenuptial exams and only 2 witnesses. Processing in Guadalajara averages 5 business days.
Quick Comparison Table
| State | Exams | Witnesses | Venue Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDMX | No | 4 | $3,800–$5,500 | 5–8 days |
| State of Mexico | Yes | 4 | $4,000–$6,000 | 8–10 days |
| Morelos | Yes | 4 | $4,500–$7,000 | 8–12 days |
| Querétaro | Yes | 4 | $5,000–$8,000 | 8–10 days |
| Guanajuato | Yes | 4 | $5,500–$9,000 | 10–12 days |
| Yucatán | Yes | 4 | $3,500–$6,000 | 10–15 days |
| Quintana Roo | Yes | 4 | $5,000–$10,000 | 10–15 days |
| Baja California Sur | Yes | 4 | $6,000–$12,000 | 10–12 days |
| Oaxaca | Yes | 4 | $3,500–$5,500 | 8–12 days |
| Jalisco | No | 2 | $4,000–$7,000 | 5–8 days |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a civil wedding in Mexico cost? At the office: $800–$2,500 MXN. At the venue: $3,500–$12,000 MXN depending on state and day.
Can I get married in a state different from my own? Yes. You do not need to reside in the state. The certificate is valid throughout the Republic.
How long does the entire process take? From 5 to 15 business days. CDMX and Jalisco are the fastest (5–8 days). Plan at least 30 days in advance.
What are prenuptial exams? Blood tests (complete blood count, VDRL, blood type) required by some states. CDMX and Jalisco no longer require them.
Do I need witnesses? Yes. Most require 4 (2 per party). Jalisco accepts 2. They must be of legal age with valid ID.
Civil and religious wedding on the same day? Yes. The civil ceremony is usually held first, either at the venue or at the Civil Registry in the morning.
What if one party is divorced? Present the previous marriage certificate with divorce annotation or final judgment. Some states require a 1-year waiting period.
By Destination
Requirements vary by state. CDMX has one of the fastest processes (5 to 8 days) and allows the civil wedding at the venue with a fixed cost. Yucatán and Quintana Roo accept most foreign documents but require apostille and a local certified translator; the process takes 10 to 15 days. Guanajuato (applicable to San Miguel de Allende) is one of the strictest states regarding documentation: it does not require residency, but does require proof of identity with a valid apostille. Baja California Sur and Oaxaca follow a similar procedure to Yucatán, with the difference that Oaxaca allows ceremonies with Zapotec ceremonial elements without affecting civil validity.