trying to get my Mexican divorce certificate

[Jilly_in_VA]

I divorced my (abusive) first husband in Mexico in 1970 and married my second husband shortly thereafter in 1970 in the US. I had my Mexican divorce papers but now I can't find them, and I'm trying to figure out how to get a copy so I can get my damn Real ID in order to fly anywhere (and that's a pain in itself) let alone a passport. The most helpful outfit i could find wanted $$ for a family lawyer so no thank you very much. Anyone have any suggestions for someone whose Spanish is rocky? And yes, I have the address and phone # as well as email for the Mesican consulate in VA, but can't call them until Monday. Any further advice?

[quaint]

1. Here is possibly useless information from Google's AI.

Wish you didn't have this hassle.

AI Overview
Divorce in Mexico - Detailed Guide 2025

To get 1970 Mexican divorce papers, you must contact the specific court or Civil Registry where the divorce was filed, as there is no central archive. You will need to provide the court with information like the names of the parties and the approximate date of the divorce to initiate a search for the decree. You will also need to request a certified copy and an apostille for use in other countries.

Steps to get the papers
Identify the court and location: You must first determine which court or Civil Registry in Mexico issued the divorce decree.
Contact the court directly: Once the location is known, contact the specific court or Civil Registry office. You can try calling them to ask about their process for obtaining certified copies of old divorce records.
Request a certified copy: Formally request a certified copy of the divorce decree, providing all the necessary information about the case.
Obtain an apostille: For the document to be valid outside of Mexico, you will need to get an apostille from the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the designated state authority. This is a form of authentication for international use.
Translate the document: Have the divorce decree translated by a certified translator (perito) if it will be used in a country with different language requirements.
Important considerations
Record-keeping: Divorce records are not stored centrally; each court maintains its own files, and electronic record-keeping was likely not widespread in 1970.
Information needed: Be prepared to provide as much information as possible, including the full names of both parties and the date the divorce was granted.
Time and fees: There may be a significant processing time, and there will likely be fees associated with obtaining certified copies and apostilles.
Legal advice: If you are uncertain about the process or the validity of the divorce, consider consulting with a lawyer who specializes in international family law.

[Jilly_in_VA]

2. I wonder if

it might just be easier to hire a family lawyer here to handle this for me.

[soldierant]

3. Just a thought -

if you can't find a family lawyer who has experience in Mexico in Virginia, you might find one in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, or California. I'd look at California or New Mexico first, since those states are blue. I don't know anything about the process - just making a couple of guesses.

[mnhtnbb]

4. You might want to use an English speaking

Last edited Mon Nov 24, 2025, 07:03 AM - Edit history (1)

lawyer in Mexico. I have a friend who bought property in Mexico near Lake Chapala and moved there a year or so ago. I could try contacting him to see if he could recommend someone.

[Jilly_in_VA]

5. Thanks, that would be nice.

I'm in a bit of a time crunch, though. Need this before the end of January.