Symbolic or renewal of vows:

No documentation is required.

Civil/legal weddings:

This service has an additional cost. The following documentation is required: Valid passports (regular copies) for the couple and 4 witnesses; (witnesses must arrive on the same date as the couple and be at least 18 years old); the couple's tourist cards (regular copies); blood tests (price included in the fee, the Wedding Specialist Coordinator will schedule the appointment during the wedding planning process); written parental consent (for couples under 18 years of age, original and apostilled.

IMPORTANT: Due to each country having specific requirements, we recommend you contact your local embassy or respective consulate prior to your trip, to obtain complete and detailed information on the procedure to follow to legalize your marriage certificate in your country of residence once you return; because in most cases, an Apostille stamp is required if you want your legal marriage certificate to be apostilled. Please note that additional charges may apply and this must be requested at the end of your ceremony directly with the Judge; therefore, you will cover the additional costs and handle this process directly with the Judge.

The following documents must be presented in their original language only in cases where the couple wishes to have their parents' names included on their marriage certificate: Valid passports of the couple and 4 witnesses (regular copies); witnesses must arrive on the same date as the couple and be at least 18 years old; couple's tourist cards (regular copies); blood tests (price included in the fee, the Wedding Specialist Coordinator will schedule the appointment during the wedding planning process); written parental consent (for couples under 18 years of age, original and apostilled); birth certificates of the couple* (original and apostilled).

For divorced brides, there are the following options:

If the bride still has her ex-husband's last name and wants to use her maiden name again, she can make this change in her passport (before traveling) since that is the information that will be used on the marriage certificate. Once the couple returns to her country and goes through the process of legalizing their marriage, they will receive a new marriage certificate, and she will be able to change her last name.

If the bride still has her ex-husband's last name and wants to use her maiden name again on the marriage certificate, she needs to bring the following documents: Birth certificate* (original and apostilled); divorce decree (apostilled) that must contain the legend indicating the update of the original name of the bride; if it does not have this legend, it must be complemented with a consular letter indicating said clarification (Apostille).

Spanish translation: The required documents (*) must be translated into Spanish once the couple has arrived at the hotel. The Wedding Specialist Coordinator will help you with this procedure. Please note that translation services have an additional cost of $50.00 USD* per page (approximately) and the original documents will remain at Playa del Carmen’s City Hall. *Translation fees are subject to change without prior notice.

Translation into Spanish is required in the following cases:

The couple wants their parents' names to be included on their marriage certificate.
The bride still has her ex-husband's last name and wants to use her maiden name on the marriage certificate.

Medical and blood tests: In order to celebrate a civil wedding in Mexico it is mandatory to perform certain medical tests: HIV, syphilis, and blood type. The Wedding Specialist Coordinator will schedule the appointment during the wedding planning process. The tests will be carried out once the couple arrives at the hotel, in their room. It is very important to mention that if any of the tests are positive, the ceremony will not be able to take place.

IMPORTANT: The judge/minister does not accept last-minute wedding requests, nor allow changes within the month prior to the ceremony. The couple do not have to submit any documentation in advance; all documents will be requested at the time of the interview with the Wedding Specialist Coordinator.

The following are standardized policies that must be followed, without exception, in order to host a wedding at RIU Hotels & Resorts. Please note that failure to comply with any of these policies could result in cancellation of the wedding. Therefore, we highly appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

The couple and 80% of their guests must stay at the same resort where the wedding will take place; only 20% may stay at another hotel chain. There are no exceptions.
Wedding guests not staying at the resort will be required to purchase a Day Pass ($65 USD* for a Riu Palace hotel and approximately $55 USD* for a Riu Classic hotel) per person to attend the wedding and reception. For weddings at a Riu Palace property, guests staying at a sister Riu Classic hotel must purchase a wedding pass for $45 USD* per person. For weddings at Riu Classic properties, guests staying at a sister hotel do not have to pay for a wedding pass. Contact your Wedding Specialist Coordinator for more information. Price valid for 2023-2024.

*Subject to change without prior notice.

The couple must arrive at the hotel two (2) full business days for a symbolic or vow renewal ceremony, and three (3) full business days for a civil/legal ceremony prior to the wedding date. Please note your arrival date. Sundays and national holidays are not considered business days.
Weddings do not take place on Sundays; on January 1; on December 24, 25, 30, and 31; nor any other national holiday.
Outside Vendors are allowed to work at RIU Resorts under these terms and conditions: Providing complete information about the outside vendor to the Wedding Specialist Coordinator, as well as the time contracted for their services; arrival/departure time; visa or permit to work in Mexico (for foreigners) or RFC for Mexicans; full names of the assistants who will be working at the facilities. The vendor's fee is $700 USD* for 2023 -2024, price per vendor; catering vendors are not allowed; couples can bring their own minister if he or she is part of the wedding group; local judges/ministers cannot officiate services.
For events on the beach (ceremonies or private events; dinner or cocktail) a beach tax will be applied: $300.00 USD* for 2023-2024.

* All prices are subject to change without prior notice; restrictions apply.

Confirmed weddings that are canceled within one month of the ceremony date or upon arrival at the hotel will be charged a cancellation fee of $250.00 USD*.
Reception: Starting from 41 guests incur in a private event and additional charges apply.

IMPORTANT: Please note that our stated policies are mandatory; therefore, no exceptions are allowed.