If you are a citizen of another country and you would like to get married in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, you can do so under the Laws of Mexico which are recognized world-wide.

In Mexico for a marriage to be legal, you will have to be wed by an Official Judge (Civil Judge) that represents the Federal Government of the Mexican Republic.

Religious weddings are performed by Catholic priests or other religious authorities (protestant, etc.) but before they can do so, they will require to see proof of a previous Official Marriage which can be done the same day.

In Mexico, a religious wedding is not mandatory for your marriage to be legal; the official part with the Civil Judge is enough.

The documents required to legally perform a wedding involving foreigners are... (for both consorts)

	Birth Certificate (Official copy issued by the government office of your country where birth records are kept)
	Proof of Citizenship (Your passport is a must)
	Your Mexican Tourist Card. (Or document that shows your legal stay in Mexico)
	A Medical Certificate stating your good health and blood type. (Can be from a doctor from your country of origin or a local one. If it's written in another language, it has to have a notarized translation to Spanish)
	Cover the Mexican Government Official Fees for Marriage License and documents processing, about US$400.00
	Each consort must present two witnesses (If witnesses are foreigners, they must show their passport and tourist card)
	Notes: -- You will have to fill-up and answer all the information required in the "Marriage Request" form (Standard paperwork regardless of nationality) -- If the consort changed nationality (born in one country but is a citizen of another) must bring a notarized copy of his/her naturalization papers. --If the consort is a widow/widower or divorced, must present a notarized copy of the death or divorce certificate.

Please make photocopies of ALL the documents previously stated because the Judge will have to keep them for your official wedding records. You MUST present both the originals and copies and the Judge will return you the first ones with your Marriage Certificate.

A happy wedding in Playa La Ropa beach (Zihuatanejo)

If the ceremony would be held outside the Civil Court House, the Judge will charge from US$150.00 to US$300.00 for his/her services (this is in addition to the license). Amount of extra fee will depend on the day of the week, time and location of the ceremony.

The extra fee includes that the Judge will attend to the place you previously selected for the wedding to take place such as at your hotel, in a villa, a restaurant, right on the beach, on a cliff overlooking our town or bay, etc. You'll have many beautiful and marvelous options to make it an unforgettable moment in your life.

Some big hotels, small inns, villas, etc., offer basic Wedding Packages that include the official judge ceremony, bouquet of flowers for the bride, flower arrangements, a champagne toast, a cake and three nights honeymoon lodging. Other packages or additional services such as simultaneous translation of the ceremony, religious wedding after the official one, honeymoon dinner, a party, photographer and/or videographer, longer honeymoon lodging, extra flower arrangements, lodging for your guests, etc., are also readily available.

Just check with the hotels, we are sure they will have the right package to fit your plans or make one just for your needs.

Consider the possibility of buying your wedding rings in our towns or in nearby Petatlan, prices may be cheaper that at home. Also, Mexican artisans are excellent jewel designers.