Deborah Chan
Getting married in Cancun, Mexico is a popular choice for destination weddings, but what is the legal status of these marriages in the US state of Illinois? In Mexico, only civil marriages are recognised as legal, and a civil marriage is fully valid for legal purposes in the US. However, there are specific requirements for marriages to be recognised in Illinois, such as obtaining a marriage license from the county clerk's office. So, are Cancun wedding licenses honoured in Illinois?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Civil marriage in Mexico recognised in Illinois | Yes |
| Religious marriage in Mexico recognised in Illinois | No |
| Marriage license fee in Illinois | $35-$60 |
| Marriage license validity in Illinois | 60 days |
| Minimum age to marry in Illinois | 18 years |
| Parental consent form required in Illinois for applicants aged 16-17 years | Yes |
| Medical tests required in Illinois | No |
| Certified copy of divorce decree required in Illinois | Yes |
| Marriage application form required in Cancun | Yes |
| Blood test and medical certificates required in Cancun | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Civil marriage in Mexico
Civil marriage, or 'Matrimonio Civil', is the only type of marriage that is legally recognised in Mexico. This means that a religious ceremony without a civil ceremony is not legally binding. Civil marriages are performed by the Registro Civil (Civil Registry) and generate a marriage certificate, which is a public document.
To get legally married in Mexico, you must first contact the Civil Registry of the state where the ceremony will take place. The Civil Registry will set the requirements for the ceremony, which may vary depending on the location. In most cases, you will need to present the following documentation:
- A marriage application, including a statement regarding joint or separate property
- A certified copy of your birth certificate, translated into Spanish and apostilled
- If divorced, a certified copy of the divorce decree, also translated into Spanish and apostilled
- A physician's certificate, including the results of blood tests and X-rays taken in Mexico, stating that neither applicant suffers from any contagious diseases
- Two legally qualified witnesses (over 18 years of age), who must be present at the ceremony and have valid government-issued identification
The cost of a marriage license varies depending on the location, with registry offices being the cheapest option. The Civil Registry charges approximately 520.00 Mexican pesos to perform a marriage at the Office of the Civil Registry, while an off-site ceremony will cost around 1,299.00 Mexican pesos.
Your marriage certificate will likely be issued in Spanish. To have it recognised in your home country, you may need to have it translated and apostilled, and then bring it to your local government office to be recorded. For example, in Illinois, you must obtain a marriage license from the County Clerk's office and present valid identification with proof of age.
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$100.02 $109.99
Cancun wedding requirements
Cancun is a popular destination for weddings, with many couples opting for a symbolic ceremony. This type of ceremony is not legally binding but is a sentimental exchange of vows and a celebration. Symbolic ceremonies don't require any legal paperwork, making them simpler to plan.
If you want your wedding to be legally binding, you must have a civil ceremony. Civil weddings are legally binding and are recognized worldwide. This type of ceremony is conducted by a judge or an officiant authorized by the Mexican government.
- A marriage application form, obtained from the local civil register office.
- A certified copy of your birth certificate, translated into Spanish and apostilled.
- If divorced, a certified copy of the divorce decree, also translated into Spanish and apostilled. Divorced persons cannot remarry in Mexico until one year after the divorce.
- Blood tests and health certificates, which must be done in Mexico. In some places, this might include a chest X-ray to rule out tuberculosis.
- Four witnesses over 18 years old, each with valid government-issued identification. The couple and witnesses' passports must be valid for at least six months, and they must obtain tourist cards provided by customs upon arrival in Mexico.
- A marriage certificate, apostilled at the state capital.
It is important to note that while a civil wedding in Mexico is valid for legal purposes in the US, a religious or symbolic ceremony without the civil ceremony is not. US law only recognizes marriages that are valid in the country where they take place. Therefore, if you plan to have a symbolic or religious ceremony in Cancun, you may need to have a separate civil ceremony in your home country to ensure your marriage is legally recognized.
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Marriage licenses in Illinois
In Illinois, couples must obtain a marriage license from the County Clerk's office before getting married. This applies to marriages in Chicago, suburban Cook County, and Rock Island County. The marriage license fee is $60, and it is valid for 60 days. There is a one-day waiting period between obtaining the license and the marriage ceremony, which can be waived with a court order.
Both parties must be present when applying for the marriage license and must provide valid identification with proof of age. This can include a driver's license, state ID, or other valid government-issued photo identification. Applicants must also provide their dates of birth, state of birth, social security numbers, and occupations. If either party has been previously married, they must provide the date of divorce or the death of their previous spouse. If the divorce was finalized within the last six months, a certified copy of the divorce decree is required.
Marriage Equality has been the law in Cook County since February 21, 2014, allowing same-sex couples to apply for marriage licenses. It took effect throughout Illinois on June 1, 2014.
Marriage records are not kept by the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records. Certified copies of marriage records are available at the county clerk's office in the county where the marriage took place. Verifications of marriage records can be requested for a $5 fee and may take up to seven business days to process.
Cancun Wedding Licenses
Now, regarding your query about Cancun wedding licenses being honored in Illinois, here is some relevant information. A civil wedding in Mexico, which is the only type of marriage recognized as legal in the country, is fully valid for legal purposes in the United States. This means that a Cancun civil wedding license would be honored in Illinois as well.
To get legally married in Cancun, there are specific requirements that must be met. These include submitting a wedding application form, blood tests, and medical certificates to the court. The civil legal marriage process is handled by judges from the Civil Registry Office, and a Marriage Certificate is generated, which is filed with the State Civil Registry office.
It is important to note that religious ceremonies without the civil ceremony are not legally recognized in the United States, as U.S. law only recognizes marriages that are valid in the country where they take place. Therefore, if one is planning to apply for an immigrant visa for a spouse who is not a U.S. citizen, the civil ceremony is obligatory.
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Marriage Equality in Illinois
Marriage equality has been the law in Illinois since June 1, 2014, allowing same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses. The Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, signed by Governor Quinn in November 2013, promises full marriage equality in the state. The Act amends existing laws, including the IMDMA and the Civil Union Act, by removing opposite-gender restrictions and replacing them with "2 persons," recognising same-sex marriages as equal to all marriages under Illinois law.
The process for obtaining a marriage license in Illinois is straightforward. Couples must appear together at one of the designated locations, fill out and sign a marriage license application, and present valid identification with proof of age. There is a fee of $60 for the marriage license. Divorced applicants must provide the date of their divorce and, if divorced within the last six months, a certified copy of their divorce decree.
In the context of marriage equality, it is worth noting that civil marriages performed in Mexico, including in Cancun, are fully valid for legal purposes in the United States. However, religious ceremonies without the accompanying civil ceremony are not legally recognised in the U.S. as they are not considered valid in the country where they take place. To get legally married in Cancun, couples must follow the legal process handled by judges from the Civil Registry Office, which includes submitting a wedding application form, providing required documentation, and obtaining a certified copy of their marriage certificate.
Illinois has continued to strengthen marriage equality through legislation like House Bill 1591, which protects same-sex marriages by repealing the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution Act. This bill ensures that same-sex couples can obtain marriage licenses without requiring a signature from an official from their previous state. The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago has also affirmed marriage equality, authorising clergy to officiate, witness, and sign marriage licenses for both opposite-sex and same-sex couples.
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US recognition of Mexican marriages
In Mexico, only civil marriages are recognised as legal. Civil marriages are performed by the Registro Civil (Civil Registry). Persons wishing to do so may also have a religious ceremony, but this has no legal effect and does not replace the obligatory civil marriage. A civil wedding in Mexico is fully valid for legal purposes in the US, but a religious ceremony without the civil ceremony is not recognised. US law only recognises marriages that are valid in the country in which they take place.
For a marriage in Mexico to be recognised in the US, it must be apostilled and translated. US citizens must have a valid passport and their tourist or residence permits up to date with Mexican Immigration Authorities. They must also request a marriage permit from Mexican Immigration. The marriage can then be performed at the Civil Registry Office. The Civil Registry Office will generate a Marriage Certificate that is permanently filed with the State Civil Registry office in the capital of the Mexican state.
Marriages legally performed in Mexico are generally recognised in the US, including in Texas, if they are valid under Mexican law. There is no requirement to register a foreign marriage for it to be recognised in Texas. However, having a Mexican marriage certificate in English, or officially translated, can help avoid confusion or bureaucratic issues.
Some couples choose to get legally married in the US before or after a destination wedding abroad, to avoid the complexity of obtaining a foreign marriage certificate and complying with local laws.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, civil marriages in Mexico are legally recognized in the US. However, religious ceremonies without a civil ceremony are not recognized.
You must present the following documents:
- Marriage application form
- A certified copy of your birth certificate translated into Spanish and apostilled
- If divorced, a certified copy of the divorce decree translated into Spanish and apostilled
- Results of blood tests done in Mexico
- Two legally qualified witnesses with valid government-issued identification
You must apply for a marriage license in person at the county clerk's office. You will need to fill out a marriage license application and record request form and present valid identification. If you have been previously married, you must provide the date of your divorce.
Applicants who are 16 or 17 years old may marry in Illinois only when both parents or legal guardians complete a consent form. Applicants under 18 must also provide valid identification and their original birth record.
