General Information

The Office of American Citizens Services provides a wide range of services to assist U.S. citizens travelling and/or residing in Mexico.  These services include:

• Safety and security information
• Assistance for victims of crime
• Welfare and whereabouts checks
• Assistance to arrested or detained U.S citizens
• Resources for Victims of International Parental Abductions
• Assistance to families of deceased U.S. Citizens
• Emergency preparedness information
• Medical / financial assistance
• Providing general information for visiting Mexico such as exit/entry requirements, property issues, marriage and divorce, and spring break in Mexico.

For after-hour emergencies, please call the duty cellphone 044-868-818-15-07.  Also, among the links on the left you will find information for most emergency situations.

U.S. citizens in other areas of Mexico should seek the assistance of the U.S. Consulates or Consular agencies located throughout the country. Click on the following to find a directory of Consulates and Consular Agencies.

The United States Government has no higher responsibility than to serve and protect its citizens, including those who reside or are temporarily abroad. The American Citizen Services (ACS) Unit provides prompt, courteous, and efficient services to United States Citizens and other clients, consistent with U.S. laws and regulations.

The ACS Unit in Matamoros provides a wide range of services to American citizens traveling or residing in Mexico, including applications for passports, registration of citizens living in or traveling in Mexico, information on voter’s registration, notarial services for documents to be used in the United States and certain emergency services relating to deaths, arrests and temporary destitution. U.S. citizens in Mexico are, of course, subject to Mexican laws and procedures. 

For information on visas for Mexican citizens, please visit the Visas section of this website.

If you still have questions, these must be directed to our visa appointment and information service by calling 868-812-61-18 from anywhere in Mexico. If calling from the U.S. or using a calling or credit card, please call: From Mexico: (703)-439-2313

If you are going to be in Mexico for any length of time, please register to receive emergency e-mail notifications and our quarterly newsletter. Any information you give us is completely confidential and will only be released when authorized by you to do so.