Thank you for visiting my web site.
I am the Anglican vicar in Cancun. What this means is that I am a priest in the
Anglican church (for those in the USA, you may know us as the "Episcopal Church" -- 'tis basically the same) and I reside where the
weather is 'always' nice, the beaches are beautiful, and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean are crystal clear: Cancún.
If you've found this site, you are probably planning on having a beach wedding in Cancun,
at a resort on the Mexican Caribbean, or in the Merida - Progreso area of Yucatan state. It would be my priviledge to officiate
at your wedding, and I've got to
say, "You've found a truly beautiful location for your wedding."
On this site you will find information on:
.
CONTACT ME:
Telephone:
From the USA or Canada: 011 - 52 - 998 - 845 - 3624
From Mexican Cities (other than Cancun): 01 - 998 - 845 - 3624
From Cancun (cellular service): 044 - 998 - 845 - 3624
E-Mail:
johnehayes@yahoo.com
Because I live where there is only cellular phone service, I have to go into Cancún to check E-mail. I try to do this several times a week, but do not get onto the Internet every day.
I use E-mail like you use the postal service, so please be patient with me.
Conventional Mail:
(The Rev.) John E. Hayes
Apartado Postal 462
CP 77501 Cancún, Q. Roo
México
Please note: International mail goes first to Mexico City, then out to the provinces. You really do not want to use this for planning your wedding; a reply will take a month to reach you after you write me.
1.- Before a couple may be married by the Church (or receive the Church’s blessing) they must have been married under civil law by a judge or justice of the peace. It does not matter whether the civil ceremony was performed in Mexico or in some other country, but proof of the marriage must be presented.
2.- In the case of two non-Mexicans (or two Mexican citizens), the civil marriage process is designed to eliminate undue delay. However, if one of the spouses is a Mexican national, permission must be given by the Secretaria de Gobernación; this request may require several months to be processed.
3.- A blood test must have been performed for each person no more than 14 days before the civil ceremony. If the report is not written in Spanish, a certified translation must be provided. (The blood work costs less in Cancun than the translation, so do this here.)
4.- The judge’s time must be scheduled in advance. A marriage license must be requested at least three days prior to the date of the
ceremony. This is done at the offices of the “Registro Civil”. In Cancun, these offices are located on the northwest side of the
downtown park known as "Parque de las Palapas", about one block west of Tulum Avenue.
5.- The fees for performing a civil marriage between foreigners vary with the dollar to peso exchange rate, but are around $450 Dlls. U.S.
The ceremony can be held at the Registro Civil or at a location of the couple’s choosing. Four witnesses must be present; if not
mexican citizens, they must show proof of identity and that they are legally present in Mexico (show "Tourist Card").
6.- At the time of entering into the civil marriage, the couple must declare that they are being married either :
(a) with all goods and property in common (all goods held as “community property”) or
(b) under the regime of “separación de bienes” which means that each individual will maintain ownership of their pre-marriage property.
7.- Proof of identity must be provided as well as proof that both individuals are in Mexico legally. This requires photo I.D., or a
passport, plus your “Tourist Card” immigration papers. The identity documents must be certified in the country of origin using the
"apostille" protocol. (United Nations Apostille Treaty) (There is usually only one state government office per state or province authorized to do this.)
8.- If one or both individuals has previously been married to a person still living, then proof of a legal divorce must be provided. These also must be certified under the "Apostille Protocol".
OF THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF MEXICO:
1.- For a couple to receive the blessing of their civil marriage (or to participate in the normal wedding ceremony) they must have been married by the civil authorities, in accordance with Mexican law (either in Mexico or elsewhere).
2.- At least one of the persons must be baptized a Christian in some Church, not necessarily in the Anglican or Episcopal Church.
3.- That both parties enter into the marriage freely and knowingly, without fraud, coercion, mistake as to identity of a partner, or mental reservation.
4.- That both parties have been instructed as to the nature, meaning, and purpose of Holy Matrimony by a member of the clergy or other competent counselor.
5.- The couple must agree to sign the following declaration of consent:
"We, (Bride’s Name) and (Groom’s Name) desiring to receive the blessing of Holy Matrimony in the Church, do solemnly declare that we hold marriage to be a lifelong union of husband and wife as it is set forth in the Book of Common Prayer.
"We believe that the union of husband and wife, in heart, body, and mind, is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord.
"And we do engage ourselves, so far as in us lies, to make our utmost effort to establish this relationship and to seek God's help thereto.
"We understand that religious marriage performed by the Church in Mexico does not change an individual's civil status from 'single' to 'married', and that only civil marriage performed by the State can do so.
"Signed this __th day of ______ in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and _____ ."
6.- There must be at least two witnesses.
7.- The priest must be informed of the couple's intent to marry at least thirty (30) days before the date of the ceremony.
8.- If either (or both) of the persons to be married have previously been married to a person still living, then the blessing of
their marriage requires the authorization of the Diocesan Bishop. This is
NOT automatic, and always takes time. So that the
permission of the Bishop can be requested, you must supply the history and all of the relevant information concerning your previous
marriage, such as:
a) When it was performed.
b) When and under what circumstances it was terminated (divorce, annulment), including why it was terminated. (While some courts
accept "Irreconcilable differences", the Bishop needs to know what really happened and what lessons have been learned from the
experience.) Documentary proof of termination should be provided.
c) If there are any children from the first marriage; in this case, please give their names, ages, and custody arrangements.
Both persons must also indicate that they will comply with the Church’s Canons (laws) which require that both of them must undertake to shown continuing concern for the well-being of the former spouse and of any children of the prior marriage.
The Bishop must be convinced that the prior marriage has no possibility of being re-established, renewed, or revived. One element which makes the re-establishment of the prior marriage impossible would be the subsequent marriage of the other spouse. Lacking this proof, the element of time elapsed is always a heavy consideration.