While many foreign residents arrive in Mexico for a time and return to their home countries within a few years, a significant number of them do stay in Mexico long-term —perhaps for work or lifestyle reasons— but more usually when their partners and families have settled here, or when they retire.
If you’re in Mexico for the long-haul, at some stage you might choose to take your residency status to the next level: naturalization. Naturalization is the process by which you apply for and, if successful, subsequently acquire Mexican citizenship.
Benefits of acquiring Mexican citizenship
Mexican naturalization offers several benefits to foreigners. Among them (in no particular order of importance):
- you can cast a vote in Mexican elections;
- you can change address or jobs without having to inform the National Institute of Immigration (INM) of your moves;
- you can avoid having to visit Immigration kiosks at airports when you leave to check-out, and wait less time in immigration lines at airports on your return;
- you avoid having to pay to change your immigration status and/or renew your visa each year to extend you stay in Mexico; and
- you can own property situated near coasts and land borders in your own name without the need to operate a bank trust (fideicomiso) — which can save you thousands of dollars in fees over the years — although some people choose to operate a trust for estate planning purposes.
Things to be aware of before you apply for Mexican citizenship
There are a few matters you should be aware of in regard to becoming a Naturalized Mexican.
Consular protection from your home country
Following your naturalization, while you are in Mexico, you are not allowed to seek consular protection by virtue of your ‘other’ nationality; so if you become caught up in any problems with the authorities you cannot rely upon your home country’s Consulate to support you.
Surrendering other nationalities
Depending on your country of citizenship, you might have to surrender your home country’s passport —and citizenship— when you acquire your Mexican nationality. This is, however, rare: most countries, including Mexico, allow their citizens to hold dual or multiple nationalities.
Residency in Mexico
Once you become a Naturalized Mexican Citizen, you need to remain resident in Mexico to keep it. See the blue information box below for more details about this.
Land trusts and property taxes
As a Naturalized Mexican, there is no obligation to keep your home inside a property trust if it’s near the ocean or a land border—although some people choose to, for estate planning purposes.
However, your property still remains liable to any capital gains taxes when you sell it. You should talk to an experienced financial advisor about your personal and business tax affairs,
Procedures to apply for Mexican citizenship
The procedures that lead to Mexican naturalization demand a number of requirements for qualification. These depend upon an assortment of factors such as:
- your links to Mexico,
- your current immigration status, and
- how long you have been physically resident here.
Legal and physical residency requirement
Importantly, you must have at least 5 consecutive years of legal residency (temporary and/or permanent) and you must prove that you have been situated physically in Mexico for at least 18 months in the past two years preceding your application date.
History and Spanish language exams
Part of the application process requires applicants to pass a history & culture exam, as well as a Spanish language aptitude examination, tested with an oral conversation.
In years past, the history exam consisted of studying 100 “multiple choice” type questions, answering 5 and getting at least 3 correct. However, since January 2018 the exam process has been revised to test your knowledge of Mexican culture and history, and a reading comprehension exam has been introduced to test your Spanish language.
Exam exemptions
Some people are exempt from the history & culture exam, but all applicants must demonstrate a working knowledge of Spanish, tested via an oral exam.
The following are exempt from the history & culture exam:
- Minors (under 18 years of age);
- People over 60 years old; and
- Refugees and humanitarian cases under the auspices of COMAR.
Naturalization certificate, INE, and Mexican passport
Once you file the application, the procedures take about a year to complete, and may take longer in some cases. Toward the end of the process, you will be asked to sit an exam, unless you are exempt (see above).
At the completion of the journey that leads to your Mexican naturalization, you will get a handshake from an official at the SRE (Mexico’s equivalent of the US State Department), and a Naturalization Certificate.
With this certificate in hand, you may apply for your Mexican passport and your INE card (known colloquially as simply, el INE)—that is technically a voter registration document, but also serves a de facto National ID Card in Mexico. The card incorporates features such as scanned fingerprints, holograms and other security devices. It’s the size of a driving license and is thus readily portable.
Residency requirement for Naturalized Mexican Citizens
If you become a Naturalized Mexican citizen (i.e. a foreign national who applies for and gets granted Mexican citizenship) and you subsequently reside outside of Mexico for 5 or more consecutive years, you legally lose your Mexican citizenship.
We are not sure how this is tracked and enforced, but this restriction is explicitly documented in the legislation which governs ‘Naturalization’ of foreigners as Mexican Citizens. (Article 37, Part B, Section 2.)
Natural Mexican citizens (Mexicans by birth) never lose their nationality, regardless of how long they might live outside of Mexico.
Further guidance and assistance
Applications to become a Naturalized Mexican are complex, require a specific process to be followed with strict criteria being met, and take at least a year to complete. Here are some resources you may find helpful:
- Government website about naturalization
- Online search for lawyers specializing in naturalization (Google)
- Learn about matters related to residency in Mexico
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Hi, I am not sure if I am asking this question correctly. My husband and I have decided to retire in Mexico. My father was born in Mexico therfore, I want to get my dual citizenship. Although my husband is retired and gets a steady social security income, he still did not meet the income criteria to get temporary or permanent residence. My question is:
Should I fly to Mexico first and get my Mexican citizenship process completed before moving out there? I would like to get my Mexican passport and CURP since we want to buy a house upon moving. Second, will doing this in advance help my husband get his temporary residency in Mexico? I want us to be as prepared as possible.
Thank you
Lili
Once you become a legal Mexican citizen get married in a civil union by a Mexican judge in Mexico. This negates any financial criteria for your husband. Good luck…
Hello,
I’m a 69 y/o USA citizen married to a Canadian . While my husband has a permanent residency, I just got my temporary visa valid for the next four years.
We both lived in Mexico for nearly five years now were we own a house with a fidecomiso.
Hubby is about to take his citizenship test in the next few months and hopefully will pass.
But because I just got my temporary visa I think I have a long while yet.
The idea is to get rid of the fidecomiso annual expenses.
It appears that both of us need to be Mexican citizens in order to accomplish this.
Would the fact that my husband had become a Mexican citizen allow me on my temporary visa to be able to take the test without waiting any longer?
As I understand , one needs to have had either a permanent or temporary visa for at least 5 years before you can apply to take the test. Am I correct?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Ian
Hello Ian,
You yourself need to be legally resident for at least five years, unless you are married to a Mexican National in which case that would be 2 full years.
So you ought to be able to qualify for residency two years after your husband obtains his naturalization certificate; i.e. you don’t have to wait for the five years.
If you are both co-owners on the property’s title deed, then you’d both need to be naturalized to take your property out of the trust and hold it in your own names. If, however, only your husband is cited on the title deed, then you could begin the process to take the property out of the trust without delay. Contact a Notary Public to determine your options and to undertake the changes; see also:
https://www.mexperience.com/finding-a-notary-public-in-mexico/
If you need assistance with your naturalization application, our associates can help — see:
https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/relocation-consulting-request/
Hola. I am married to a Mexican Citizen and we have a Mexican (citizen) daughter. I obtained my permanent resident card 26 months ago. I will be 61 in March 2022. Must I be fluent in Spanish based upon the above info to receive citizenship for myself?
Hi Todd,
Under the rules, people 60 and over don’t need to take the exam, but there is an interview in which they expect you have at least a basic conversational capability in Spanish, so you ought to be able to converse at that basic level. You have time to practice as applications are currently suspended. You might find these courses helpful:
https://www.mexperience.com/tag/spanish-language-courses/
Thank you very much for replying! What is the reason for the current suspension of citizenship applications? Covid or other? Again, thank you very much!
Applications were suspended shortly after Covid began, so we gather that the two are linked.
Hi, I was born and raised in Italy therefore I have an Italian citizenship although my Italian passport was expired right before it was stolen from me. Thankfully for me I had my still valid Canadian passport being also a Canadian citizen. And that’s the passport I use now.
I have been living 365 dayside year in Mexico Mor precisely in Quintana Roo where I bought a house on a beach with a fidecomiso almost 5 years ago. I’m 57 years old.
The only reason I wold like to get a citizenship is to get away from the fidecomiso fees and own my house finally.
I understand that from the application presentation to the actual exam date can pass more than one year .
1) Because of that would it be feasible to send in the application now ( not 5 years of living in Mexico completed yet ) or I simply can’t and have to wait the completion of the 5 years before I can actually send in the application?
2) having already a double citizenship Italian and Canadian ; do I need to surrender one of them?
If so, can I choose which one of the two? And could I surrender the Italian since I don’t have a valid passport anymore? Or do I need to have a phisical valid passport to surrender? ( in other words, I can’t surrender that citizenship unless I have a valid passport in my hands )
3) I read somewhere that of I was over 60 the exam would be much easier, does that apply to any states of Mexico or in some states the exam is easier ? Should I consider wait a few more years to get the easier exam?
4) where do I get the material to study to prepare myself for the exams?
5) I read that they suspended the application, is that still true as today 23 October 2021?
Thanks very much
Danilo
Hi Danilo,
Re exam and date: you have to qualify with time in Mexico before you can apply, and you cannot get an exam date before you apply. If you are 60 or over, you are *exempt* from the exam.
Re other citizenships: this is a fluid issue — our associate could advise (see below).
Re: Exam study: there is a reading list of materials that the SRE provides.
Re: Applications — they are still suspended as of October 2021. We have no information about when they will be reopening appplications.
If you would like assistance with your application, you might consider using our associate’s support service. Details here:
https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/relocation-consulting-request/
Can’t you just get a new Italian passport? Your Italian citizenship does not depend on you having a valid passport. The passport is merely proof of your Italian citizenship and allows you to travel abroad as an Italian. To give you some perspective, look at the USA: half of Americans do NOT even have a passport, but they all have US citizenship.
Hello! I moved to Mexico in 2015 and went through the 4 years of temporary residency with permission to work and now have had my permanent residency for 2 years. Would I now qualify for Mexican citizenship? Or does it have to be 5 years as a permanent resident to qualify? I am not married to a Mexican nor am I of Mexican decent.
Thanks!
Hi Brooke,
As you have held legal residency (temporary and/or permanent) in Mexico for at least 5 consecutive years, you qualify. However, you will be asked to demonstrate that you have been present physically in Mexico for the 18 months prior to your application date.
If you need assistance with the process, you might consider using our associate’s service, details here:
https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/relocation-consulting-request/
My parents were born in Mexico. In 1972 my mom became a Naturalized American Citizen. At that time she had to renounce her Mexican citizenship. I’m going thru the process of becoming a dual citizen, US & Mexico. On the application do I state my mom is a US citizen and provide her naturalized certificate, or Mexican citizen even though she is no longer technically officially Mexican citizen?
Hi Isela, you’d need to cross check that with the SRE to ask how to correctly complete the form they provide. If you nee assistance with the process, you might consider using our associate’s service, details here:
https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/relocation-consulting-request/
Hello! U.S. Citizen currently living abroad in South Korea. My father is Mexican. I am wondering if I have to consecutively live two years in Mexico before applying for citizenship? Someone on Reddit stated that they went to their consulate in Raleigh, NC and got their Mexican passport/citizenship in one appointment (they provided the proof of Mexican lineage and apostilled translations). So My follow-up question is: does it vary depending on which consulate you go to? Thank you so much!
Hi
I am a Mexican citizen by naturalization and I had stayed abroad ( outside Mexico) for over 5 consecutive years, technically by law I have lost my citizenship.
What should I do to regain my citizenship back?
Hi Alex,
You might have to re-apply from scratch.
Some options to consider:
A) Contact the SRE yourself and ask them about your situation
B) Hire a specialized lawyer to look into your case
C) Hire our associate’s Immigration Assistance Service (less expensive than B) – you can get details about their service and make a request are here:
https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/relocation-consulting-request/
Hey Alejandro:
So to answer your question, with each consulate it depends on their way that they do a a process called Registro Civil or Civil Registry. You would not need to live in MX for 2 years if your dad can prove his MX citizenship and if your parents were married before you were born. If your parents were married after you were born, your dad would have to go to the consulate with you. I would check with the nearest MX consulate or embassy to you in either the US or South Korea. Also depending on the MX consulate that you go to you may not need to have your US Birth Certificate apostilled or translated. For me when I did this process, this was the case. Also on the MX consulate that you end up going to, you can look up who does the Registro Civil and send them a email with your situation and they will be more than willing to help you out.
Hi, I am married to a mexican national (by birth). To get the Mexican passport do I still need to speak Spanish or would I be excluded?
Hi Cristina,
If you are under 60 years old, you need to take the exam and part of that exam requires you to have at least a conversational level of Spanish. This is relevant whether you are married to a Mexican national or not.
If you need to practice your Spanish, you may find this section of the website helpful:
https://www.mexperience.com/tag/spanish-language-courses/
Hello, I am Lou,
Is dual citizenship still available in Mexico? I am a US citizen and my
father was born in Mexico now deceased. I am retired and planning to live in Mexico in
the state of Oaxaca with my wife, also retired. She was born in Mexico and became a US
Citizen about 35 years ago. We like Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido. We would like to
rent a house or condo first, so any info you can share would be appreciated. Thank you.
Hi Lou,
You can hold a Mexican passport and a foreign passport, provided the foreign country allows this; the US does, for example.
You need to apply for residency first, and then after 2 years (married to a Mexican national) you can apply for citizenship if you want to; or you can live here indefinitely by applying for Residente Permanente.
Our associate offers a consultation to help you get oriented with the options, and then can also provide practical help as you wend your way through the procedures to apply for residency and afterwards Naturalization.
You can learn more about the service and make a service request here:
https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/relocation-consulting-request/
Sir / Ma
I am living in Mexico as a stateless person and i have five years permanent resident permit and i wanted to apply for naturalization, I wanted to know if i am going to write naturalizations exam before i can be able to naturalize.
Because i understand that Refugee is exempt from writing naturalizations exam and i wanted to know if a stateless person is also exempt from the exam as well.
Hi,
My spouse and came to Mexico a few years ago and have residency. I was given Perm immediately but my spouse recieved Temp. My spouse falls in the category of 2 years until applying for citizenship but I have to wait 5. With that being said, my spouse applied for citizenship and should have it soon…..Can I now apply for citizenship once my spouse becomes a citizen? I will have 3 years of being a Perm resident and married to Mexican.
Hi DAndrea,
Foreign residents who have 2 continous years of (temporary and/or permanent) residence married to a Mexican can apply for citizenship–whether they are natural Mexican citizens or naturalized foreigners who have acquired Mexican citizenship. So you can begin the application when your spouse is naruralized. Our associate’s immigration assistance can help, details are here:
https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/relocation-consulting-request/
Q: One reason I procrastinated getting my citizenship was that I got confusing information about what it means to “renounce” my US citizenship to get Mexican
The typical meanining is that I have to give up my passport and from what I am reading online, it does seem to have been the case before 1997… even natural-born Mexicans could lose their citizenship if they exercised their right to another one.
A law student told me that “renounce” used to mean me renouncing to my government and giving up my passport, but what happened was that countries simply would not accept the renunciation and would return the passport. Today “renounce” means stating that while within Mexican territory, I am only a citizen of Mexico… not my home country. This makes sense. It fits with what you say about no consular protection
What I cannot find is some kind of official Mexican government document online that states this. Might you know what it is and how I can get it?
Leigh, USA considers you a citizen until you fill out official paperwork at the State Department or at an embassy, have no outstanding tax debt, and pay a sizable “exit fee.” They do not care what you tell another country. I do not know Mexico’s specifics, but for example, becoming a citizen of Spain requires you to tell them you renounce US citizenship. Spain knows it is completely meaningless but they want you to say it anyway.
Good afternoon,
My question is pretty simple: I have a daughter (who isn’t from Mexican origin) and I want to apply to become a Mexican citizen. Will my daughter automatically get the citizenship from my process? Or can I apply for her citizenship as well at the same time? We both have permanent residency, I got mine from my youngest daughter (mother of a Mexican child) born in Mexico and my oldest got her permanent residency from me. Thank you!
Hi Jinny
We recommend you seek the advice of an immigration lawyer, or you could use the Immigration Assistance Service (see link in the article above) — they can advise you on your situation.
Hi, I’m a Mexican citizen by birth and naturalized Canadian when my parents immigrated to Canada. My Mexican passport expired in 1997 and hasn’t been renewed since. I have my birth certificate and old Mexican passport as proof of my status as a Mexican citizen. Would I be able to go to a consulate/embassy abroad and renew my passport or do I need to apply as a first time applicant for a Mexican passport? Also what documents would I need to bring with me at the appointment?
Hi Eduardo,
We recommend you contact your nearest Mexican Consulate who will be able to provide advice on passport applications/renewals and what documents they require.
I am married to a Mexican citizen. How do I go about becoming a citizen as well. I am a U.S. born citizen but I spend equal amount of time in both countries
Hi Maria,
You can find information about Citizenship applications in the Mexico Immigration Guide (see link in article). You will need to be physically resident for at least a whole year (no breaks) in the year before you apply for citizenship.
If you need assistance with the application, consider using the Mexico Immigration Assistance service, details here:
https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/relocation-consulting-request/
Hello. I received my double citizenship for Mexico (born in USA) by Mexican born father. I have since lost my citizen paperwork . How do I obtain a copy? What is needed? Please help!
Hi Theresa, you’ll need to contact the Mexican Foreign Office (SRE) to ask about replacement of documents. If you need assistance with the process, consider using our associate’s Immigration Assistance Service, details here
https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/relocation-consulting-request/
Hi, my son was born in Canada. I am a Canadian citizen and my wife is a Mexican citizen. Can I apply to become a mexican citizen or have a residency and then apply for citizenship? Thank you
yes you can . i did and its a very simple process
Hi, I and my wife both got Mexican PR in 2016 after our son was born in Mexico. Then we left Mexico and after 3 years (last year) we came back to the country. It is 4 years that we received our PR, for applying naturalization do we still need waiting for another year to accomplish 2 years law?
Hello Saeed, you need to have RP for 5 consecutive years; so your target date is 2021. It’s important that you are *physically resident in Mexico* with very few (and only short) absences in the two consecutive years before you apply. You can find details in the Immigration Guide (link above).
If you would like assistance with the preparations and applications, consider using the Immigration Assistance Service:
https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/relocation-consulting-request/
Hi, my father has a house in mexico and is leaving his property to me, I am an American citizen, do I have to become a Mexican citizen to inherit the house? I do plan on retiring in Mexico.
Hi Yolanda, you don’t need to be a Mexican citizen to inherit property in Mexico, but if the property in the restricted zone (near land and sea borders) it will need to be transferred into a Trust.
If you would like some advice in regard to this and retirement permits, consider using the Mexico Immigration Assistance Service provided by our associates:
https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/relocation-consulting-request/
Once one applies for Mexican citizenship, is one allowed to leave the country during the process? And if so, for how long. The reason I ask is that I have applied for a replacement card for my Permanent Resident card and while waiting for it to process( it has been 3.5 months so far), I can get temporary permission to leave for a maximum of 60 days. Is there a similar allowance when one has applied for citizenship.
hi. I plan to get married with my girlfriend in mexico. she is mexican. the question ; Does mexico allow dual citizenship ? Do I have to renounce my current citizenship while I apply for mexican citizenship ? thank you
Mexico does allow dual citizenship. But if you, for example, are from Austria, then you Austria doesn’t allow you have dual citizenship, so from the Austrian side, you wouldn’t be able to have both. So basically, in this case it will depend on your country, because Mexico does allow it.
I am a naturalized US citizen. Can I become a naturalized Mexican citizen ? will I lose my US Citizenship ?
No. In order to lose your US citizenship, you have formally renounce. This costs over $4,000.00 to do.
Can a naturalized Mexican citizen live outside of Mexico for indefinite amount of time without losing the citizenship?
Mexicans by birth never lose their citizenship, regardless of how long they may reside outside of Mexico. However, people who acquired Mexican Citizenship through a procedure of naturalization by law lose their Mexican nationality if they remain resident outside of Mexico for 5 continuous years. How this is traced and enforced is not clear, but if you intend to retain your Mexican naturalization status once acquired, you should not remain resident outside Mexico for more than 5 continuous years.
Article 37, Part B, Section 2 (an English version has it under Part A) of the Mexican Constitution says that a naturalized Mexican can lose his/her citizenship if resides for 5 continuous years outside the country. The most recently updated constitution (2019) still has this statement.
hi, one question i am about to apply for Mexican citizenship after staying in Permanent Resident status for few years. My question is aftre getting Mexican citizenship am i eligible for TN visa that allows to work in USA lie any other Mexican and Canadian citizen?
Thank you
Hi,
You need to direct that question to the US Consulate / State Department.
Hi Biswaj, do you have any further information that you gathered?
In your article, there is a mention about renunciation of country of origin/birth during naturalization in Mexico. Quote as below:
“Depending on your country of citizenship, you might have to surrender your home country’s passport – and citizenship – when you acquire your Mexican nationality. (This is rare: most countries allow their citizens to hold dual or multiple nationalities.)”
Which countries are required to be renounced? What documents do I need to submit to Mexico government if my country is one of the countries required to be renounced? Or just simply turn in passport of my country of birth to Mexico government during naturalization?
Your answers are much appreciated. Thanks.
Hi Kevin,
You need to contact your country’s consulate / State Department to ask about the policy for the country in regard to multiple nationalities. If you need to surrender your passport to acquire a different nationality, they will tell you what the procedure is to do that.
Hey,
I was born in Mexico and became a US citizen when I turned 19 years old. I also decided to make a few changes on my name once I became a US citizen. My question is: Can I obtain my Mexican citizenship back? whats the process since my name is no longer the same from my birth certificate.
When you go to the Mexican embassy just make you have your Original birth certificate from Mexico ?? They will literally type you in their system and you will pop up. You should really have any problems that’s what I did for years ago.
Hi,
I am a Ghanaian and married to a Mexican. I naturalized 2 years ago. I had to renounce my country of birth, of which I did. I love Mexico and also my country of birth. My question is can I use my Ghanaian passport outside of Mexico when traveling or I would have to use my new Mexican passport?
I would like to visit my country next year and I don’t want to end up with any problem at the airports.
Thanks
Justice
Justice,
If you still have a Ghanaian passport, then presumably you are a dual-national. Most dual-nationals use their Mexican passport when leaving and re-entering Mexico and their other passport when entering/leaving their home country. Some countries require that you show both passports when entering–you would need to check with the Ghanaian consulate about that.
Thanks a lot. Really appreciate it.
Hi Justice,
What is the renunciation of your country of birth (Ghana) for Mexican naturalization like? What steps did you have to go through? Did you have to submit any proof to Mexico government for your renunciation of Ghana citizenship? I wanted to know how stringent the requirement of renunciation of country of birth in the Mexico naturalization process?
Thanks!
Hello. I lived in Mexico 9 years and I have permanent resident card. I have two children that born in Mexico. My husband is Mexican. We went after my husband to US for work and my visa right now depends from his visa TN (my visa TD). He tramited his visa inside of country and we can not right now go back to Mexico. We still have our house in Mexico. My older son born in my country (Russia) and he had temporal card from Mexico, I need to renew his card but I can not return right now to Mexico. Can I renew his visa in US? And other question: I was thinking to aply for naturalization. Can I apply from US? We are married 13 years. Thank you
Hi Olga,
You need to be physically in Mexico to renew your Mexican residency card/status, and you need to physically in Mexico to apply for naturalisation (citizenship). These procedures cannot be undertaken outside of Mexico.
I had a child in Mexico, and I registered him with Mexican citizenship (I’m in the status of a tourist). If I leave from Mexico, can I be the parent of a Mexican child to apply for permanent permanent residence in a country of my own by contacting the consulate of Mexico? 2) If I return to Mexico as a tourist and a child as a Mexican citizen can I be refused entry to the country by a migration officer at the airport?
As the parent of Mexican child, you do not have to leave Mexico to exchange your visitor permit (FMM) for a residency permit.
See this article for details about family-unit applications:
https://www.mexperience.com/applications-for-residency-from-within-mexico/
My wife’s parents were born in Mexico, but she was born in the u.s. is it easier for our family the get a permenant Visa or dual citizenship?
I am a professional looking to become a naturalized citizen in Mexico. Can you give me any information on their rumored points system?
Hi Gary,
The Points System was referenced in the 2012 Law; however, it has never been formally introduced and, as of spring 2018, there is still no information about it. It’s effectively unavailable as a route to application for residency, and we have no information about when it might become available.
Excuse me does your guide 2018 includes a better study guide than the bibliography posted on SRE page? Or is the same? Because I haven’t been able to find anything new about the current exams. Only the old 100 questions thanks.
I too am looking for the possible 100 questions for the updated SRE 2018 exam. As of this date almost 40% of the 10 question test, are NOT within the Bibliography provided by SRE. (as reported on an independant expat site). This makes it very difficult to study for the test when the content give is over 1000pages and counting.
Hi Rose and T,
Thanks for your comments. The exam is very new and we have no further details about it than what is published by the Ministry of Foreign Relations (SRE).
One of our associates is assisting a client with the new exam as part a naturalization application and, based on that real-life experience, we will be able to publish additional information in due course — likely by late summer.
Hi,
I’ve been living in Baja Norte for 5 yrs, no visa only random 7 day tourist visas, I am marrying a Mexican in Mexico. Where is the best place to start getting legal?
Best
Shari
Hi Shari,
After marrying a Mexican national you will be able to apply for residency right away and (if you want to afterwards) you can then apply citizenship after 2 full years of permanent residency.
You can contact an immigration lawyer locally to discuss your situation, or if you want to get a handle on the rules yourself, full details about the residency and citizenship requirements and processes to follow are in the Mexico Immigration Guide: https://www.mexperience.com/ebook/mexico-immigration-guide/
Alternatively, if you want some one-to-one counsel over the phone/email to discuss your individual situation, you might consider the “Relocation Consultancy” service that covers immigration/naturalization matters: https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/relocation-consulting-request/
Wishing you well with your plans.
Probably Mexicali, B.C. since it is the capital of Baja and all of the government offices are there. Near the “registro civil” in Mexicali there are private practices that can assist and help speed up the process. I did it some years back and it took alot of patience as well as many mexican pesos. Also, make sure you have a relatively clean background in your country of origin or you may encounter problems when applying for mexican citizenship.
I am 67 from USA. I will apply for naturalization in May. Do I need to have my birth certificate apostilled in Oklahoma and the translated into Spanish or vice versa? I live in AZ so it would be easier to get the translation done after it is apostilled. Also I have been in and out of Mexico during my five years with permanent residency. Will my application be denied because I have spent more than 180 days outside of Mexico during the last two years.
Hi Creagh,
Any foreign-issued documents you use as part of your application (e.g. Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate) need be Notarized and translated into Spanish. Translations must be done by approved translators–ask the local INM office for a list of locally-certified translators, and/or search online. You can find information about Notarizing your documents here:
https://www.mexperience.com/getting-your-documents-apostilled-for-mexico/
People 60 years of age and over are exempt from taking the exam but must still qualify under other criteria which include having to be physically in Mexico: The applicant must prove 5 consecutive years with either Temporary Residency or Permanent Residency, and must not have been physically outside of the country for more than 180 days (about six months) in the last 2 years prior to the application date. (If you are married to a Mexican national, the qualification period may reduce to 2 years.)
I am 65. Do I need to be in Mexico for 16 months out of 24 as one of the conditions in order to become a citizen?
Hi Don,
While you are exempt from the exam at 65, you must still qualify under the other criteria which include having to be physically in Mexico full-time for the period leading up to the application. Other than very occasional and brief visits abroad (for a short holiday) you should ideally be in Mexico for at least the last 12 months.
I have read that naturalized Mexican citizens cannot do some things natural born citizens can, like: serve on a mexican aircraft as a pilot or cabin crew or join the military in a time of peace. Can you please clarify? Thanks!
Hi Sam,
We checked on this and found out that only Mexican-born citizens can join the military forces, see: http://www.gob.mx/sedena/acciones-y-programas/requisitos-para-personal-que-desee-formar-parte-de-companias
Both Mexican-born and naturalized Mexicans can serve on Mexican aircraft as a pilot or cabin crew, but only for private or commercial flights, not of the army. Article 44 of the immigration law covers this: http://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=669659&fecha=24/06/2004
Hi..
Trying to gain a Mexican passport. My father is born in Mexico and my mom in the US.
What documents do I need? And…
If I need his passport, can I obtained his birth certificate without him even if he is still living? He is uncooperative at times.
Hi G Marie,
You can make an application for nationality (and thereafter, apply for a Mexican passport) based on your Father’s Mexican nationality. You don’t need his passport, but you will need a copy of his Birth Certificate which can be acquired from the state where he was born.
You can find full details about the requirements and processes to follow in the Mexico Immigration Guide: https://www.mexperience.com/ebook/mexico-immigration-guide/
Or, if you want some one-to-one counsel over the phone/email to discuss your individual situation, you might consider the “Relocation Consultancy” service that covers immigration/naturalization matters: https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/relocation-consulting-request/
Wishing you well with the application
My father lives in Mexico and my mother is with me in the US, both of my parents were born in Mexico, but I was born in the US. If my mother doesn’t have her papers but she’s working on them, can I still get dual citizenship through my dad who is still living in Mexico? I was thinking to use my dual citizenship to reduce my cost of tuition as well other things.
Hi Abigail, you might like to contract the services of an immigration lawyer to help you in your situation, or you might try the Relocation Consulting Service, here: https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/relocation-consulting-request/
Hello, I was born in Mexico and moved to the US when my parents divorced. During the divorce my name was changed to my mothers maiden name. I have my original Mexican birth certificate but the name on that document is different than my drivers license and US passport. Do I have to go to Mexico to change my name on my Mexican birth certificate? Do I need to hire an attorney in Mexico to do this without going to Mexico?
Joe, we suggest you contact your nearest Mexican Consulate for advice. You can find a directory of Mexican Consulates abroad here on Mexperience:
https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/mexico-essentials/mexican-consulates-abroad/
This question may seem silly, but if I have had my permanent visa for 1.5 years, which I got after having the temporary visa for 4 years, and I have been married to a Mexican national for 2 years, would I be able to start my naturalization process now, or do I have to wait until I’ve been with my permanent residency card for 2 years? I’ve basically been a resident here for 5.5 years. The law doesn’t seem to be clear about that.
Hi Cameron, you would most probably have to have 2 full and continuous years of permanent residency status before you can apply for citizenship as a foreign resident married to a Mexican national.
HI, I can’t find any information on how and when the ebooks are delivered, or what format they are in. Can you help me with this?
Hi Sheila,
Thank you for your question. Our Mexico eBooks are delivered in PDF files and you can download them immediately after payment. Our eBooks Shop sends you an email with an encrypted link that enables you to download the eBook file(s) to your computer.
You can find full information on our FAQs page, here:
https://www.mexperience.com/shop/ebook-faqs/
Hi guys
Can i get visa or mexican citizenship with investor like start business???
Hi Mamad,
There are investor options to get a resident visa, check the general information here:
https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/visas-and-immigration/
Even with an investment route, you will need to have Permanent Resident status for five years before you can apply for citizenship.
I’m looking for information to gain Mexican citizenship. I have a son from a Mexican national. He was born in Mexico and has both US and Mexican citizenship and passports. Can this benefit and expedite the naturalization process for me or will 5 yrs be the standard. Thank for any assistance.
Hello John,
Normally, you would have to be married and living in Mexico to qualify for the shorter (2 year) nationalization period; although you might qualify for the exemption if your dependent son is Mexican.
If you are seeking some detailed advice based on your personal circumstances, you might consider our Relocation Consulting Service, that’s offered in partnership with immigration lawyers in Mexico. You can find details of the service here:
https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/relocation-consulting-request/
Wishing you well with your plans,
Please kindly advice me , how long can I use my permanent resident before applying for nationality in Mexico?
Hello Akinyande,
You would normally need to be permanently resident for 5 years before being able to apply for Mexican Citizenship. However, if you are married to a Mexican National, then this can be reduced to 2 years. You can find full details about applying for Citizenship in the Guide to Mexico Immigration: https://www.mexperience.com/store/vuitem.php?itemid=26
I understand that when applying for Mexican Citizenship, the applicant cannot be out of Mexico for more than 180 days in two years. Is this correct or has the number of days allowed out of country changed?
Hi Jan,
That information is correct: when applying for Mexican Citizenship, the applicant cannot be out of Mexico for more than 180 days in two years.
Hi I am looking for some information as to gaining Mexican citizenship, if you are married to a Mexican national does the wedding and marriage certificate have to be in Mexico or will a US mmarriage be acceptable? Also we live in the US, in order for me to gain citizenship would I have to live in Mexico for a certain amount of time before gaining naturalization, and if so are there any ways around that? Thank you for your time and help
Hi Ben, if you married a Mexican national outside of Mexico (e.g. in the USA) then your US marriage certificate will be valid as proof, but you will need to get it apostiled by US authorities (contact State Department for details) for it it be recognized in Mexico. As a foreigner married to a Mexican national you need to have permanent residency status for at least 2 years to apply for naturalization.
You can find out about how to Apostille your documents on this article:
https://www.mexperience.com/getting-your-documents-apostilled-for-mexico/
my mom was born in Mexico. I was born in Detroit. I would like to obtain Mexican citizenship. What do I need to do?
Hi Ray, you can contact your local Mexican Consulate for advice. Or, if you want some one-to-one counsel over the phone/email to discuss your individual situation before you make the application, you might consider the “Relocation Consultancy” service that covers immigration/naturalization matters: https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/relocation-consulting-request/
My son was born in the usa and he just got his Mexican Citizenship. I want to buy property but i need to know what we need to do for him to make ME a citizen. Is this possible and how? Any links? i am fluent in spanish but the consulate web site is no help.
Hi Matthew, you could contact an immigration lawyer in Mexico for advice on your specific circumstances. Or, if you want some one-to-one counsel over the phone/email to discuss your individual situation, you might consider the “Relocation Consultancy” service that covers immigration/naturalization matters: https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/relocation-consulting-request/
Emma: you need to live as a legal resident in Mexico at least 2 years before obtaining the Mexican citizenship. Your child can have it immediately because she’s the daughter of a Mexican. He only has to register her in the nearest Mexican Consulate.
Hi,
I’m a French citizen and I’m married to a Mexican citizen. We recently decided to move back to Mexico and I would like to get the Mexican citizenship. Do I have to get a FM3 before requesting the citizenship? We also have a 2 year old daughter and we’ve been living together for about 3 years in Mexico and in Canada.
Thank you,
Emma
If you are over 60, do you still need to be able to speak Spanish to get Mexican citizenship?
I thought their was an exception in the past.
Thanks,
John
Hi John,
At the age of 60+, you are not required to take the test, but there’s still an interview that needs to take place with an officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the applicant will need to speak some Spanish at some point of the interview – so a basic conversational grasp is recommended.