When do I have to arrive in Los Cabos, Mexico to get legally married there?

Question

I believe Mexico has different states, just like the U.S. When I looked into getting married in Puerto Vallarta I read that you had to arrive 5 days prior to the wedding and get a blood test. Other than the requirement I'm not finding conclusive information on when I need to arrive in Cabo. I want to get married on 08/08/08; when would I have to get there?

Answer 1

Mexico has 31 states and 1 Federal District.  It's called Estados Unidos Mexicanos.

Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur,  Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Colima, Distrito Federal*, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan de Ocampo, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro de Arteaga, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz-Llave, Yucatan, Zacatecas

Try looking up the state called Baja California Sur.  That is where Los Cabos is located.

The following is a summary of civil marriage requirements between foreigners in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

    * Most hotels request that bride, groom and witnesses be in Mexico at least 2-4 business days before the wedding.

    * Completed marriage application form.

    * Two witnesses for bride and groom (total of 4 witnesses).

    * Certified copy of birth certificates for bride and groom (Apostilled* copies)

    * Valid passports for bride, groom, and witnesses

    * Tourist cards for bride, groom, and witnesses. Tourist cards are issued at the airport upon arrival.

    * Health certificate and blood test (HIV, Rubella, Syphilis VDRL, blood type) for bride and groom must be taken in Los Cabos 2-3 business days prior to the wedding.

    * If divorced, the final Divorce Decree must be presented (original and Apostilled* copy). At least one year must have elapsed from the date on the divorce decree. Check with your wedding coordinator for further details.

    * If widowed, the Death Certificate must be presented (original and Apostilled* copy). At least one year must have elapsed from the date on the death certificate. Check with your wedding coordinator for further details.

   * If bride or groom is adopted, a certified copy of the adoption papers must be presented.

   * Signed prenuptial agreement, which will be provided by the Justice of the Peace.

   * Americans need to have their documents Apostilled. Canadians need to have their documents stamped and signed by the Mexican consulate officer in Canada.