Marriages in Mexico

The legal age of marriage in Mexico is 18 years for both men and women. Brides above the age of 14 and grooms above the age of 16 can also marry, but they have to take the consent of their parents. Around 600,000 marriages take place every year in Mexico. 20% of the marriages are among couples between the ages of 15 to 19. In the rest of Latin America (Central and South America) this percentage is 11.5%.

In many of the countries of Latin America (Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Venezuela), the legal age of marriage is 18. Many Latin American countries allow younger couples to marry with the consent of their parents. In Chile, 16 year olds can marry with parental consent; in Colombia 14 year olds can marry; in Paraguay and Venezuela 14 year of brides and 16 year old grooms can marry.

Since 89% of the Mexican population is Roman Catholic, most wedding ceremonies reflect this Catholic faith. Traditional Mexican weddings have sponsors (“padrinos”) who are usually the Godparents. The sponsors have a special role in the wedding. During the wedding a “lasso” (white ribbon or rosary) is wrapped around the couple’s necks to symbolize their union. The groom usually gives the bride 13 gold coins which some believe represents Jesus Christ and the 12 apostles. After the ceremony, red beads for luck are showered on the couple. There is usually a reception after the marriage.

Just like Mexico, majority of the population in Latin American countries (Cuba, El Salvador, Chile, Venezuela, Uruguay, Argentina, Guatemala, Paraguay, etc) are Roman Catholics and their marriage customs are influenced by their religious faith. All marriages in Latin American countries have to be registered.

Marriage Laws in Mexico and Registration of Mexican marriages

In July, 1859, Mexican President Benito Juárez, established the Civil Registration Office (“Registro Civil”). The Federal Civil Code (“Código Civil Federal”) enacted in 1928 and recently amended in 2000, is the heart of the Mexican Civil law. It contains the legal codes related to marriage, divorce, domicile, property, ownership, succession, contracts and other civil law subjects. The Civil code for the 31 states is almost the same as the Federal Civil Code, with minor changes.

As per the Federal Civil Code, only a civil marriage is considered a legal marriage. Civil marriage is performed by the Civil Registry (“Registro Civil”). Before the marriage, the couple has to send an application to the Civil Registry judge along with original and copies of their birth certificates. The couple also has to undergo medical tests for HIV, syphilis and Rh blood type. These medical test results cannot be older than 15 days before the date of the civil marriage. The couple also has to provide proof of residence, identification proof, photos and has to agree upon the hereditary system they will maintain throughout the marriage. Two witnesses should be present at the marriage. If either of the couple is divorced, then he/she cannot marry unless one year has passed since the divorce was granted. If either of the couple is underage, then both the parents/guardians should be present for the marriage along with valid identification proof.

Usually couples complete their civil marriage before a church wedding.

Why is a marriage certificate required?

Several United States public and private organizations require a copy of the marriage certificate. Spanish certified translation of the marriage certificate is required when a Mexican/Latin American applicant wants to apply to the USCIS for a United States visa, or when applying to the US passport agency.

Spanish/regional language to English certified translation services

At Certified Translation our team of professional Spanish language translators translate into English marriage certificates from all the Spanish speaking Latin American countries: Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain, Guatemala, Equatorial Guinea, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela. Our translators specialize in documents that are required by the United States government and other US based public and private organizations. Since we have vast experience in translating documents for US organizations like the USCIS, colleges, schools, courts, etc, we create certified Spanish translations of marriage certificates in the format that is required by these organizations.

As per USCIS requirements, our Spanish translators will certify that the Spanish to English translation of the marriage certificate is both accurate and complete. Our translators will also certify that they are competent to translate from Spanish to English.

Content of a Spanish marriage certificate/license

In Mexico, Article 103 of the Federal Civil Code (“Código Civil Federal”)states the contents of a marriage certificate. A typical Mexican marriage certificate has both the husband’s and wife’s first, middle and last names. It also has the husband’s and wife’s parents’ names, grandparents’ names, their date of birth, their place of birth, their residential addresses, occupations, civil status, date of registration of marriage, place of registration of marriage, the name and signature of the registering authority and stamp of the office of the registrar.

Certified Translation specializes in Spanish to English translation and offers a certified marriage certificate translation only within 48 hours.