Puerto Vallarta, possibly Mexico’s most gay-friendly city, is idyllically situated on the Pacific Ocean. A gorgeous beachside wedding in a nearby and affordable place? Yes, please! Puerto Vallarta is also just far enough to allow you to appropriately filter out your ideal guest list. So how hard exactly is it to have your dream destination wedding there? First, here’s some background…
Background
Same-sex marriage is legally performed in Mexico on a state-by-state basis. Luckily, it’s been legal in Jalisco (Mexican state where Puerto Vallarta is located) since May 12, 2016 and couples have been flooding to beautiful Puerto Vallarta to get married ever since.
So what kind of legal paperwork do you need to fulfill your tropical wedding fantasy? Well, kind of a lot. Luckily there are hundreds of local wedding planners and packages available so you or your boo-to-be don’t have to do any of the heavy lifting and can focus on having an amazing day. But in case you’re really a go-getter or want the lowdown, here’s a basic how to:
Documentation
Given that you’re in a foreign country, you’ll need to be diligent and have all the proper documentation (and copies!) to legally marry in Mexico. Some of these may take awhile to obtain so make sure you start the process early! Some of the documents include:
1. Marriage Application Forms
These forms are obtained from the local registry office in Mexico.
2. Passport & Driver’s License
To be safe, make sure they’re valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive.
3. Travel Visas
These are provided by Customs when you arrive in Mexico.
4. Birth Certificates
5. Divorce Decree / Death Certificate
If either spouse was married before, the official dissolution documents need to be presented and dated at least one year prior to the new wedding date.
6. Blood Test & Health Certificate
HIV and STD blood testing, as well as a certificate of good health, must be completed in Mexico within 15 days of the wedding.
7. Witness IDs
You need 4 witnesses total (over the age of 18) so invite your friends, family, or new BFFs you met at the bar last night.
Once you and your fiancé have all the proper documents, all US certificates then need to be translated into Spanish, notarized by your nearest Mexican Consulate, and be apostilled by the country you live in. In the US, the Office of Authentication at the State Department handles apostillization.
Non-Civil Ceremonies
If that’s too much paperwork and you’d rather do the legal stuff at home, then you can always just have a Religious or Non-Denominational Ceremony (aka the “Spiritual Ceremony”) in Puerto Vallarta. You’ll need some of the same documentation, but can skip the blood test and bring your actual marriage license instead of the application and you should be good to go!
Or just ditch the guests and head to Puerto Vallarta for your honeymoon. Either way, this dazzling destination is not one to miss!
Other Helpful Links
Mexican Consulate
Office of Authentication
*Note: Laws and requirements may have changed since the date this article was published.
