Changing name after marriage in Mexico

[jillmat99]

We are getting married in Cozumel in December, and one of my friends recently got married in Playa Del Carmen. When my friend went to the courthouse after the wedding to change her name, she found that since the Mexican marriage certificate did not list her new name, she has to go through a lengthy and costly process to get her name changed.
Is there any way to get around this?

[StephCWP]

Hola from Cozumel!

Hi Jill, I was asked to come and answer your post, I hope I can be of help... I am a wedding coordinator here in Cozumel.

Your license will have your maiden name on it (or the legal name that is registered on your passport). Ask your coordinator up front for a translated version in English, then changing your name should not be a problem. Most brides go to the Social Security office first, then when that is changed, it should all fall into place. Since all States and Counties are different, ask ahead of time what you will need for you to change your name so that you do not have to go back and ask your coordinator to send you extra copies or translations. Usually when you have one major document (such as Social Security Card) changed, then the others are a breeze.

Sincerely,
Stephanie
Cozumel Wedding Planner

[minlee]

Hi, I just got married in the DR this Dec and wanted to respond to this because it is very confusing (I had to ask several people) before we got married. We did the legal paperwork and got married at City Hall in NYC. This way there's no issue with translations, someone at the island forgetting to write in your chosen last name, etc. Once you have a marriage certificate (whether its in the States or from a destination) it is much more difficult to get your last name changed to your husband's if they forgot to do it initially. You have to go through a court system to get it changed legally. I would highly recommend saving yourself the hassle and getting it done at City Hall either before or after your wedding on the beach. You just have to think of it as a formality since your real wedding and beautiful ceremony is the one that your family and friends will be there to witness. Also, a lot of islands require you to establish residency for a week or more before you can even legally get married there. Hope this helps.

[lfc2000]

I also got legally married in the states a week before our wedding in a small town in Mexico. I did this because as I was searching for information on a legal marriage in Mexico, it just seemed like one more stress that I didn't want to deal with. So my husband and I were married by a family friend in their backyard and only had about 10 close family members (parents, etc) witness it. It was very intimate and took off a lot of pressure the week before the wedding. We had 70 guests at our wedding and we just didn't really tell anyone that we had done that but we also didn't keep it from anyone. If it came up we just told them and of course, nobody seemed to care. They were happy to be there for the "fun" part. At the ceremony in the states, my father didn't walk me down the isle, we didn't exchange rings, etc. We saved all those really emotional moments that most of us identify with a wedding for the beautiful setting in Mexico. I wouldnâ??t have done it any other way and I highly recommend it! Good luck!

[sillygrlalisa]

I have to agree, getting married in the states at City Hall was the way to go. Our wedding was in Riviera Maya (Iberostar) and we did not have to deal with any complications as far as "legal" changes. Once we got back, I went to the DMV, changed my license and then went to Social Security and changed my name there. Make sure you check w/your local Social Security office as what to do first. I went to Social Security first and was told that the procedures changed and I had to change my Driver's license first. DMV asked for your old license and your marriage certificate. Social Security asked for your driver's license and marriage certificate. Hope this helps! P.S. the resort (Iberostar Paraiso del Mar) did an AMAZING job!!!!! :-D

[maxef8]

Hey everyone...:)

I agree with your decision ..
it may be helpful...:)

[Mitch]

This is always depended upon the bride that either she want to change her name after the wedding ceremony adjoined with the surname of his bride groom, and secondly she has a sole right to stay stick with her old family name and do not change her for any specific reason.

If a bride takes her husband name after marriage, then there is no legal procedures that has to be processed, otherwise she has to undergo a various procedures that are must to be accomplished like, keep the records of your marriage, drivers license, social security card and contact with all the bankers, official personnel, debtors, creditors and all government agencies for the assurance and affirmation of your new name as well.

[weddingsonthego]

So many of our bridal couples are going the route of getting their marriage valid before they leave, then having the regular ceremony down in Mexico. First, you get to have an English speaking ceremony. Second, you do not have to wait for the marriage certificate and/or pay for the English one. And lastly you can have the ceremony that you want. You do not have to tell your guests, if you do not want to. That is your choice. And you can always celebrate your Mexican date as your wedding date.

The Staff at Weddings on the go!
www.weddingsonthego.com