The Civil Ceremony (The only Legal way to get married in Mexico) The only marriage performed in Mexico that is legally valid in your country is the civil ceremony, performed by the justice of the peace of the Civil Registry office of Puerto Vallarta . The civil ceremony can take place in the office of the Civil Registry or at the location of your wedding. The civil ceremony follows the Minister's ceremony with the legal signing of the marriage contract. The ceremony is 15 minutes and is presented in Spanish by the Judge from the Civil Registry office. The ceremony is read it in english. To have a civil ceremony in Mexico you must acquire documents from your registry department where you were born and send them to us so we can begin the process. To make it easier for you, we send you simple instructions to guide you step by step. Requirements: USA residents Birth certificates with Apostille An Apostille is the authentication of a public officials signature and once the signature is verified an Apostille or Certification is placed on the document stating that the signature has been authenticated.   (divorce or widow certificates requires apostil if applicable) SEE ALL THE INFORMATION FOR AN APOSTILLE HERE Canada residents Legalized Birth Certificates Certified copy of the Canadian birth certificates (the long form, not the credit-card size), which must be a) authenticated by the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (authentication and service of documents section, tel. 613-995-0119) and b) legalized by the Mexican consulate in Toronto. This consulate only legalizes certificates of persons who were born in the provinces of Ontario or Manitoba (for other Canadian provinces please inquire). Nationals of other countries need to get either their birth certificates duly legalized by the Mexican embassies or consulates in the corresponding country, or certified by their embassies or consulates in Canada and, afterwards, legalized by the Mexican consulate. 2 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. Blood Tests ... A simple blood test is required in Vallarta only at least 24 hours before the wedding date. The blood test looks for factor and blood type only. There are no other examinations necessary. Video Briefing... All couples must attend a prenuptial video 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 takes place at the DIF family services department of the municipal government and need to be schedule 2 months in adavance, it takes less than hour to be complete. What is Included ... The civil ceremony package includes the processing of all your documentation here in Mexico so everything is all arranged when you arrive. You pay for 2 birth certificate translations, 2 signature fees, 1 Marriage certificate and translation, blood tests & health certificates, video briefing fees (ONLY IN WEDNESDAYS) and transportation for official. Cost – U$D 500.00 Plus (if applicable) – U$D 30.00 translation fee per additional translation of divorce decree, death certificate or name change certificate. The Judge are booking future dates quickly for this late 2010 and the 2011 calendar is starting to fill up, so it would be advised to reserve the time and date for each or either as soon as possible. Dates for December and high season months, January, February, March, April and May are generally booked faster. The Judge and Minister can perform ceremonies at many local establishments and may go to remote locations for an organized excursion wedding, but charge considerably more for time and travel expenses. To reserve a time for the Minister and or Judge, we require to confirm a date and ceremony hour. Documents must be send to Puerto Vallarta at least 30 days before the wedding date. Always FedEx or DHL your documents to Mexico . CATHOLIC CEREMONY The Church of Guadalupe in Puerto Vallarta, with its famous crown held by angels, is a Catholic temple. If you are not Mexican, but are believers and would like to exchange vows before the Virgin of Guadalupe, it can be done with little effort. Both of you will have to go to your parish pastor who will send all your papers (certificates of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation) to Puerto Vallarta and reassure his Mexican colleagues that you have been attending the premarital counseling sessions. If you are a foreigner engaged to a Mexican, each of you will present papers in your own parishes, accompanied by two witnesses-people who have known you for more than five years. Each of you may attend the premarital counseling separately. The phone number for the Church of Guadalupe is (3)2221326(3) 222-6495. Remember that getting married through the Church has no legal value in Mexico; the civil marriage is the only valid one. SPIRITUAL CEREMONY U$D 300.00 Christian Ceremony, non-denominational ceremony, a secular ceremony, or a non-traditional ceremony (All this ceremonies are in English) For more information regarding the Wedding Ceremonies please contact to Carlos Guzman, Le Kliff Wedding Coordinator and Owner at carlos@lekliff.com * Note: The prices listed on this web page may change without notice.