Please check the information contained here before you e-mail us.
Odds are the answer to your question is right here!If you can't find the information you need, please contact us. In these FAQs, we provide links to several resources on the Internet. These links are provided for informational purposes only. The U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City have no control over the content of these sites and we cannot take responsibility for the use of information from these resources.
General Assistance/Travel to Mexico.Which American Consulate or Embassy can help me? The general answer is whichever is closest to you. Because Mexico is such a large country with so many Americans living and traveling here, we have in addition to the Embassy in Mexico City several Consulates around the country (think of them as branch offices). It is usually best to contact the Embassy or Consulate nearest you, since that office will be in the best position to offer you help or information. We strongly encourage you to check this list of Consulates in Mexico before sending the Embassy an e-mail. If your question involves a different consular district, the Embassy can respond to your e-mail only with information on how to contact the appropriate Consulate. We also staff a number of Consular Agencies. These are smaller offices that provide only basic consular services. You may also want to contact a Consular Agency if you have a specific concern about an incident taking place near that Agency. Do you have any advice on traveling to Mexico? We have prepared Tips for Travelers to Mexico, an informative pamphlet that explains many of the pros and cons of traveling in Mexico, including issues pertaining to Mexico City. Additionally, as your trip approaches, you will want to keep up to date on events that may affect your trip. We publish a Consular Information Sheet with information about travel in general. As events warrant, we update this Sheet with Public Announcements and Travel Warnings on specific topics that may affect Americans traveling in Mexico. You will also want to monitor television, radio and newspaper reports on events in Mexico.
Passports and Other Legal Documents.I'm planning to travel to Mexico. Do I need a passport? We strongly advise all Americans traveling to Mexico to do so with a passport. In addition to providing conclusive proof of citizenship and identity, having a passport will facilitate bank and credit card transactions. You can find the location of the nearest Passport Agency on the web. However, American citizens can also enter Mexico with government-issued ID together with conclusive proof of citizenship: a certified copy of your birth certificate (if you were born in the United States), a certified copy of your Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or your original Naturalization certificate. American citizens do not need to apply for a tourist visa before leaving. On entering the country as a tourist, you will be given a blue tourist card that serves as your visa. This visa will indicate the length of time you are allowed to stay in Mexico--usually90 days. Americans who travel to Mexico for other purposes (such as work, study, business, religious activities or permanent residence) will need a Mexican visa. You can review visa requirements on the web page of the Mexican Embassy in Washington, D.C. I was born in the United States. How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate? To get a certified copy of your birth certificate, you should contact the Department of Vital Records or other authority in the state or country where you were born. I am an American citizen born in Mexico. When my parents registered my birth with the American Embassy, the Embassy issued a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. How can I get another copy of this Report? You need to write to the Department of State to obtain a certified copy of the Report of Birth Abroad. The fee is $20 and the address is: I am an American citizen planning to get married in Mexico and have been told that I need a copy of my birth certificate with an "apostille." What is an apostille, and how do I get one? An apostille is a certification that is valid for use in a foreign country. Information regarding authentication or legalization of documents, including how to obtain an apostille, is available at http://travel.state.gov/law/notarial_authentication.html. I was married/born in Mexico City. How do I get an "apostille" copy of a certificate to use in the United States? To get an apostille of a document issued in Mexico City, contact: Departamento del Distrito Federal
Unidad Consultiva de la Dir. General
Juridica y de Estudios Legislativos
Izazaga 89, 8vo. piso
Col. Centro
Mexico, D.F. Tel. 5709-8492Office hours 8:30am-1pm I was married/divorced/born in Mexico and now need a copy of the official certificate. How do I do this? You should contact the Registro Civil where you were married/divorced/born for a certified copy of your certificate. If this is not practical, you may wish to contract with a firm that specializes in retrieving civil documents. In the Mexico City district, call the Office of Consular Citizens Services at 011-52-55-5080-2260, for more information on these firms. The same procedure applies for death certificates.
Non-immigrant (tourist, student, work) visas to the United States.How do I obtain information about obtaining a visa for the United States (for tourism, business, study, work, etc.)? For information on all types of visa applications visit the websites of the State Department or the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. How do I apply for a tourist (non-resident)visa to visit the United States? All visa applicants in Mexico must make appointments through the information and appointment system. The number to dial within Mexico is 01-900-849-4949; people who can't access "900"numbers can buy a "PIN" at Banamex and then call 01-800-112-8500; more details. To make an appointment from within the United States dial 011-52-477-788-7070 (you will be billed a long-distance fee by the phone company, and a service charge will be billed to your credit card). At the time of scheduling, the operator will provide information about where to pay for the visa application, suggested documents to bring, etc. For more information about visa applications contact the State Department or the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. What if there is an emergency and I need a visa immediately? For those in the Mexico City consular district, there is a formal procedure for requesting emergency visa interviews. Send a fax to the following: U.S. Embassy Mexico City
Visa Unit
Officer of the Month
Fax (from Mexico): (01-55) 5208-8027
Fax (from the U.S.): 011-52-55-5208-8027 In the case of medical emergencies, a doctor's letter should accompany the letter requesting an emergency interview. The doctor's letter should describe the circumstances and the situation. In the case of other emergencies, please send a letter which describes the nature of the emergency. (Ensure that there is a contact number where the applicant can be reached.) When possible an emergency interview will be scheduled immediately. At the time of interview, the applicant will need to qualify under U.S. law for the visa. Where can I obtain information about visa denials? The State Department's Visa Office offers information about immigration law and visa denials. How can I find out if my current visa is still valid? "Indefinite" visas which have not been cancelled are valid for 10 years after the date of issuance. We strongly recommend that you apply for a replacement visa as soon as possible to avoid possible complications at the port of entry. Visas that are not "indefinite" have an expiration date clearly marked on the visa. After that date, the visa is no longer valid and a new application should be made. "Micas" (credit card-sized, flexible Border Crossing Cards) lost their validity on September 30, 2001. For information about how to apply for a new visa, please call 01-900-849-4949 within Mexico, or 011 (52-477) 788-7070 from the U.S. (this call has a credit card charge attached). Whom do I contact to find out why my U.S. visa has not been delivered? For applicants who were issued visas in Mexico City, but whose visas have not arrived within one month, contact Pegaso Express, the messenger service you paid to deliver your visa. Is there any way to obtain a visa for my American child? No. American citizens by law cannot be issued visas. If you believe that your child is an American, you should speak to the office of passports and citizenship at the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy. Can an American Citizen post a bond to ensure that a Mexican citizen returns to Mexico after a trip to the U.S.? No. Bonds are not accepted. All applicants who wish to travel to the United States must qualify for visas. Please consult the State Department website for more information. All applicants in Mexico must make appointments through the information and appointment system. The number to dial within Mexico is 01-900-849-4949. To make an appointment from within the United States dial 011-52-477-788-7070 (this call will be charged to your credit card).
Immigrant Visas (Green cards).How do I get a visa for my spouse/children/siblings/parents to live in the United States with me? The office of Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS -formerly INS-) is responsible for receiving and processing petitions for immigrant visas (or green cards).
Here is a thumbnail sketch of the procedure: First, the eligible U.S. citizen or resident (the petitioner) files a petition on behalf of his or her relative (the beneficiary). CIS then reviews the petition and, after approving it, notifies the would-be immigrant to report for an interview at the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez (in the case of beneficiaries residing in Mexico).
The length of time between filing of the application and its approval depends on the nationality of the beneficiary, the relationship between the petitioner and beneficiary and the merits of the individual case. For more information, contact the nearest CIS office or review information on the CIS web page.
Missing Persons.How do I report a missing person? Keep in mind that many persons who come for vacation in Mexico are having too much fun to call home frequently. In addition, many public phones require phone cards, which are sometimes hard to find in remote areas of the country. Keep in mind that no news is often good news. In most cases, the Mexican authorities notify the Embassy or Consulates immediately when American citizens are arrested, hospitalized, or have died. If you are concerned about a missing friend or relative, call the appropriate Consulate or Embassy. The Citizen Services office will request that you fill out a missing persons report. This report will be distributed to all posts in Mexico. The more information you can provide, the more successful the search is likely to be. Are there services that can help me search for a person who is missing in Mexico? The Embassy and many Consulates maintain lists of private investigators. Contact the appropriate post directly to obtain a list. Often private investigators can help to find persons who have been missing for several years. How can I locate a missing person in the United States? We are unable to assist you in finding people in the United States. You may wish to use on-line locator services, such as Switchboard or AnyWho,in your search. If you are looking for a person in the U.S. who is not an American citizen, you may wish to contact the Embassy or Consulate of the country of which the person is a citizen. Forexample, if you are looking for a Mexican citizen who you believe is in the United States, contact the Mexican Embassy in the U.S.
Dual Nationality (American/Mexican)/Doble Nacionalidad (México/E.U.)I was born in Mexico but am now an American citizen. Can I claim my Mexican nationality? U.S. law recognizes that Americans may also be citizens of other countries. As of March 20, 1998, Mexicanlaw recognizes dual nationality for Mexicans by birth, those born in Mexico or born abroad to Mexican parents.
U.S. citizens who are also Mexican citizens should be aware that they will be considered Mexican by local authorities and that their dual nationality status could therefore hamper U.S. government efforts to provide consular protection. Dual nationals will not, however, be subject to compulsory military service. It is important to note that travelers possessing both U.S. and Mexican nationalities must carry with them proof of their citizenship of both countries. Under Mexican law, dual nationals entering or departing Mexico must identify themselves as Mexican citizens or face a stiff fine. Under U.S. law, U.S. citizens must enter U.S. territory with documents proving U.S. citizenship. Contact the Mexican Embassy in the United States for more information. What effect will this have on my American citizenship? It is very difficult to lose U.S. citizenship, and exercising your dual nationality will not result in the loss of your American citizenship. Generally, even an act such as workingfor a foreign government will not result in loss of citizenship without a formal declaration of the intent to renounce allegiance to the United States. However, in order to hold certain positions of public trust, dual nationals must take an oath of allegiance to Mexico and disavow all loyalty to other nations. Some of the job categories this rule affects arethe military and security forces, the diplomatic corps, the judiciary,and certain high offices of the Mexican government. | Nací en México, pero actualmente soy ciudadano/a americano/a. Puedo reclamar mi ciudadanía mexicana? Estados Unidos acepta que los ciudadanos estadounidenses puedan también tener la ciudadania de otros paises. A partir del 20 de marzo de 1998, la ley mexicana acepta la doble nacionalidad paramexicanos por nacimiento y para los nacidos fuera de Mexico de padres mexicanos. Los ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica que sean también ciudadanos mexicanos deben saber que son considerados mexicanos por las autoridades locales y que su estatus de doble nacionalidad podría impedir los esfuerzos de los Estados Unidos de propocionar protección consular. Personas con doble nacionalidad no serán sujetas al servicio militar de los Estados Unidos.
Es importante mencionar que las personas que viajen y que posean ambas nacionalidades, la americana y la mexicana, se identifiquen como ciudadanos mexicanos o pagarán una ardua multa. Bajo las leyes de los Estados Unidos, los ciudadanos estadounidenses deben entrar al territorio estadounidense con documentos que prueben su ciudadanía norteamericana. La Ley Mexicana requiere que un ciudadano naturalizado mexicano renuncie a otras nacionalidades. Sin embargo, bajo la Ley de los Estados Unidos, esta renuncia no es efectiva y no causa pérdida de ciudadanía de los Estados Unidos. Si está en los EUA, favor de contactar al consulado mexicano para obtener asesoría.
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Customs – Bringing items into Mexico and the United States.Where can I find information on the duty-free allowances for taking goods from the United States and Mexico, or viceversa? The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes duty-free allowance regulations for imports into Mexico.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection controls duty-free allowances for U.S. citizens on goods brought back to the United States. (For a broader range of information see: "Find Answers") What are the requirements for bringing my pet to Mexico with me? You will need a certificate of health for the pet issued by a certified veterinarian issued within fifteen days of departure. You also need a valid certificate of vaccination showing that your pet has had all its vaccinations within fifteen days of departure. It would be best to call Mexican government offices directly for complete information. Contact the nearest Mexican Consulate in the United States, or the "Dirección General de Inspeccion Fitozoosanitaria" in Mexico City, Tel. 011-52-55-5571-3124 Fax 011-52-55-5784-3231. You can also get useful information from several U.S. agencies, including: What are the requirements for taking my car to Mexico? The Mexican Revenue Department has provided the following guidance for taking a car into Mexico. Contact the nearest Mexican consulate in the United States for more information. What do you need before leaving your home? 1. Vehicle Registration or Title for your vehicle (bring original and two copies)2. A valid U.S. or Canadian Driver's License. 3. Proof of Legal Residence in the U.S.: Birth Certificate, Passport, or Resident Alien Card. What are the procedures when you get to the border? 1. Go to the Mexican Customs (ADUANA)/Vehicle Control Checkpoint2. Fill out form: TEMPORARY IMPORT PERMIT 3. Fill out form: VEHICLE RETURN PROMISE AGREEMENT. 4. Fill out form: Tourist Card (FMT or FME). 5. Go to Banjercito (Mexican Army Bank) with those three Forms. 6. Complete vehicle security deposit procedure by using any of the three available methods: Credit Card, Bond or Bank Deposit What other information should you know about driving your car in Mexico? 1. You must have these documents with you while driving: TEMPORARY IMPORT PERMIT, VEHICLE RETURN PROMISE AGREEMENT, Tourist Card (FMT or FME), Your Driver's License, Proof of Citizenship. IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not leave any documents in your unattended vehicle. 2. The temporarily imported vehicle may be driven by the spouse or adult children of the importer (U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S.). Also, foreigners with the same Mexican immigration status of the importer may drive the vehicle. 3. Mexican nationals residing in Mexico or foreigners or foreigners residing permanently in Mexico may drive the vehicle only if the importer, the importer's spouse or the importer's adult son or daughter is in the vehicle.
What are the procedures for crossing the border when you leave Mexico? 1. You must go to any Banjercito (Mexican Army Bank) office.2. Turn in form: TEMPORARYIMPORT PERMIT and VEHICLE RETURN PROMISE AGREEMENT. 3. Turn in: Tourist Card (FMT or FME). 4. Your vehicle security deposit will be returned or your bond agreement, depending which method you used. What do I need to do to import or purchase a firearm in Mexico? As explained in our Consular Information Sheet for Mexico, there are severe penalties for possessing firearms in Mexico. You must contact a Mexican consulate in the United States before attempting to import weapons into Mexico or purchase any while in Mexico. Failure to do so will result in stiff fines and/or jail time.
Children's Issues.I am traveling to Mexico with my children but without my spouse. Do I need to make any special arrangements? EACH parent (a couple may sign the same form; if a couple is divorced, each parent must sign the letter) or the legal guardian must sign an affidavit giving the child permission to travel unaccompanied, in the company of one parent or accompanied by a designated adult. The more information in the affidavit the better. It should give approximate dates, travel itinerary, your name, passport numbers, whatever relevant information they can provide about the trip. The document must be notarized by your local notary public to be valid. A number of unofficial organizations have prepared sample documents that may be used for this purpose (the U.S. Embassy cannot take responsibility for the sufficiency of these forms). We would like to adopt a Mexican child. Where can we find information on the procedures to follow? To adopt a child, you must comply with the requirements of both the Mexican and American governments. Please be advised that you must follow the procedures of both governments. Circumventing these requirements can invalidate an adoption and result in criminal penalties in both the United States and Mexico. I believe that my ex-spouse has illegally taken our children from the United States to Mexico. What can I do to have them returned to the U.S.? You may have recourse under the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction. Mexico and the United States are parties to this treaty, which provides certain remedies in these types of disputes. In its website International Parental Child Abduction the State Department's Office of Citizens Consular Services provides information on how to invoke the Hague Convention, including an application form. You may also wish to contact the State Department's Office of Children's Issues for further information. I live in Mexico with my children. My ex-husband is responsible for child support payments for our children, but has moved to the United States and is no longer making his payments. What can I do to enforce his obligations? You should contact the Mexican Secretaríade Relaciones Exteriores (Foreign Ministry) for assistance in enforcing international child support orders. Contact the Consultoría Jurídica, Pensiones Alimenticias, Departmento de Derecho de Familia (Legal Office for Child Support in the Department of Family Law) in Mexico City at (01-55) 5782-4144.
Working in MexicoDo I need a visa to work in Mexico? Yes, Americans who wish to work in Mexico must have employment visas. For more information, contact the Mexican Embassy or Consulate nearest you in the United States. The Mexican Embassy maintains a list of the addresses of its Embassy and Consulates in the United States. You may also wish to contact the Mexican Immigration Office
Homero 1832
Col. Los Morales
Mexico, D.F.
Telephone: 011-52-55-5387-2400. (You should expect that the person who answers your call will speak only Spanish.) How can I find a job in Mexico? The U.S. Embassy does not maintain information on employment opportunities in Mexico. To find employment opportunities, you may want to contact American clubs and organizations in Mexico City. You can find these groups by searching the Internet. You will find that fluency in Spanish gives you an advantage over other applicants from theUnited States. Can I work in the U.S. Embassy or Consulates? In general, there are few employment opportunities available to U.S. citizens in the U.S. Embassy or the Consulates. American embassies and consulates are staffed by career Foreign Service personnel who have qualified for appointment through competitive entrance examinations, and who agree at the time of their appointment to serve anywhere in the world. Occasionally, a need for special skills arises which is met by the appointment, for a limited period of time, of a highly specialized individual who may serve in the area of his specialty. Such situations occur very infrequently and the probability of obtaining such employment is remote. Any available appointments are posted on this website under Job Opportunities and on a bulletin board at the reception area of the U.S. Embassy, Reforma305, Mexico, D.F. You can also mail your resume to our Personnel Department, and they will consider you for any appropriate vacancies. The address is: Personnel
U.S. Embassy Mexico City
Reforma 305
Col. Cuauhtemoc
06500 Mexico, D.F.
MEXICO Check out the State Department's Personnel Office for more information.
Marriage and Divorce in Mexico.How do I get married in Mexico? As in the United States, each state in Mexico determines its marriage (and divorce) procedures. You should contact the office of the Registro Civil in the jurisdiction where you plan to get married for complete information about the requirements. There are also unofficial sites that also provide useful information on marriage procedures in Mexico. A marriage that is properly executed in Mexico is valid in the United States (unless the marriage would not be legal in the United States). How do I get a divorce in Mexico? To obtain a divorce in Mexico, you must be a resident of Mexico. Usually this process takes several months and you must reside here for at least 6 months before applying for the divorce. You may wish to retain an attorney in Mexico with experience in divorce proceedings. The Embassy also has limited information on divorce in Mexico.
Legal and Business MattersDoes the Embassy have information on how to start or build a business in Mexico? The U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, has a number of resources and services to foster American business interests in Mexico. Among the services available are: access to specialists familiar with your industry, market research, sector analysis, pre-arranged appointments with targeted businesses, and international company profiles. The Commercial Service also operates the Ron Brown Business Center, a suite of office space available for long- and short-term lease. The Commercial Service is located in downtown Mexico City,
Liverpool 31
Col. Juarez
06600 Mexico, D.F.
Telephone: 011-52-55-5140-2600
Fax: 011-55-52-5566-1115. I have a legal problem in Mexico. Can the Embassy represent me in court? No. The U.S. Embassy cannot represent American citizens in court nor advise them on legal matters. Instead, you may wish to consult with an attorney in Mexico, who can provide advice on your options and remedies within the Mexican legal system. Click on the following for current lists of a) attorneys in Mexico City, and for
b) attorneys in the states that comprise the consular district of the Embassy in Mexico City. For lists of local lawyers in other locations, contact the nearest consulate.
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