Taking Marriage in Mexico as an example, I did some research on some popular travel agent and wedding planning websites. www.weddinglocation.com fails to mention having any translations done at all as does www.getmarriedinmexico.com. Coop Travel gets it half right by explaining the need to have certified translations, but no mention is made of legalising the documents. First Choice seems to have a better idea of what’s required. Their ‘Legal Requirements Guide’ states that for Mexico all documents need ‘certification/legalisation/translation.’ However, they neglect to mention in which order these processes should be done!

The most accurate advice comes from Thomas Cook. Their Weddings brochure states the following:

‘You must have Spanish translations made of all your documents except your passport. These translations will need to be certified as being true copies of the originals by a Spanish speaking lawyer [solicitor].

‘After this has been done, the original documents (except for your passport) and the Spanish translation must be legalised by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office [FCO].’

This advice is inkeeping with the Mexican authorities requirements since 2008. However, from our own experience we have found that the majority of places will still accept a certified translation of the legalised original, without the translation having been signed by a solicitor or legalised. We suggest that you ask your travel agent for advice or contact the place where you intend to marry directly to ask what level of certification they require. If you are travelling independently, we recommend you contact the Embassy or Consulate of the country in which you wish to marry to check their document requirements.

Please note that our advice comes from our own experience: we have always provided certified translations of legalised (apostilled) birth certificates for marriage in Mexico and our clients have never experienced any problems.