If you want to live in Mexico indefinitely for all sorts of reasons (jobs, education, family, etc.) and enjoy the rights as other Mexican citizens do, you can apply for naturalization to get Mexican citizenship. This comprehensive guide will take you through everything about obtaining Mexican citizenship.
Who Are Qualified for Mexican Citizenship?
According to the Political Constitution of Mexico, Mexican citizenship can be acquired by birth or by naturalization.
Mexican citizenship by birth
- Those who are born in Mexico, regardless of the nationality of their parents.
- Children of a Mexican citizen, regardless of birthplace.
- Children born abroad of a Mexican naturalized citizen.
Mexican citizenship by naturalization
For foreigners, under any one of the seven circumstances, they may apply for a naturalization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
- Having at least 5 consecutive years of legal residency in Mexico.
- Being a direct descendant of a Mexican citizen (two years of legal residency required).
- Having a child born in Mexico (two years of legal residency required).
- Being originally from a Latin American country or the Iberian peninsula (two years of legal residency required).
- Having provided services or performed outstanding works (two years of legal residency required).
- Marriage to a Mexican citizen (two years of legal residency required).
- Being an adopted child of Mexicans (one year of legal residency required).
What Should You Be Aware Of Before Application?
Here are a few reminders for you to think about before applying for citizenship:
Forfeit the right to consular protection
Once you have applied for Mexican nationality, you will no longer have the right to enjoy consular protection from your country of origin while you are in Mexico.
Renunciation of other nationalities
Not every country accepts dual nationality. If your home country doesn’t allow dual nationality, to get Mexican nationality, you will have to give up your home country’s one.
📖 Read Also: Dual Citizenship Advantages and Disadvantages
Continuous Residency in Mexico
Once you acquire Mexican citizenship by naturalization, you should remain residency in Mexico. If you live abroad for five continuous years, you will lose your Mexican nationality.
Land trusts and property taxes
As a Mexican citizen, you have easier access to mortgages in the country. Besides, you have the right to buy property in the restricted zones without a bank trust. However, you still have to pay capital gains taxes if you sell your property.
What are the Requirements for the Application?
No matter which naturalization category you are applying for, you should prepare the following documents:
- Original and copy of the completed DNN-3 application form. The DNN-3 form can be downloaded from the SRE website.
- Original and two legible photocopies of all pages including the outer covers of the valid passport from your home country.
- Original and two photocopies of a valid resident card issued by Mexico.
- Original and a photocopy of the foreign birth certificate. You should have it legalized by a Mexican consulate or have an Apostille affixed to it. If the birth certificate is not in Spanish, you should have it translated into Spanish by an authorized translator in Mexico.
- Two identical recent color passport-size (35 x 45 mm) photos on a white background, which should be taken from the front, without glasses, face uncovered. You can get them done in a local photo shop, or make them yourself at home by using an online passport photo tool.
- Proof of no criminal records in original and photocopy, including federal and local ones (with validation printed in duplicate) within the last three months. The federal background check can only be done in Mexico City, requiring documents including a valid passport, your birth certificate with legalization or Apostille, an official translation of your birth certificate (if applicable), a resident card, and copies of all of them. The local one will be performed in the municipality where you live, with a similar procedure.
- A letter of Entrances and Exits enclosed with two photocopies of your immigration records of entrances and exits from Mexico over the last two years. You must not leave Mexico for more than 180 days in the two years preceding the day you apply.
- Proof of payment of application fees, in original and copy.
- Proof of passing the Mexican History & Culture exam and the Spanish proficiency test. In the case of refugees, minors, and people over sixty years old, it will be sufficient for them to prove that they know how to speak Spanish through the language exam.
- Two copies of the printed Unique Population Registry Code.
How to Apply for Mexican Citizenship by Naturalization?
The whole application process can take about a year to complete, and even longer in some cases. Therefore, you should confirm the appropriate method of naturalization and timing of your application. And then you may pre-register your data online.
STEP 1. Go to the official website, and prepare all the required documents based on your method of naturalization. You can find the detailed requirements in each modality.
STEP 2. Start pre-registration on a computer.
STEP 3. Register for an account with a valid email address.
STEP 4. Fill in the forms. Here you may select the date and time of your appointment to the Office. When completed, click submit.
STEP 5. You will receive a confirmation email of your application, with an application number and the time of appointment with the Office. You should present them along with all the required documents on the appointed date and time. The review process can take months to a year. You can call to check on the status at any time.
STEP 6. Near the end of the process, you will be asked to take the Mexican History & Culture and the Spanish language exams. You can download the study guide from the official website.
STEP 7. After you’ve passed the exams, you will be asked to pay for the application fees. After that, your naturalization certificate will be issued. That means you are officially a Mexican citizen.
Alternative Ways to Become a Mexican Citizen
Several other documents are required under the following two categories you apply.
Mexican citizenship by descent or ancestry
If you are a direct descendant of a Mexican citizen but were born in another country, you may apply for Mexican citizenship after one year of residence in the country. Getting Mexican citizenship through parents requires proof of your parent or grandparent’s Mexican nationality. One out of the three documents is acceptable: a Mexican birth certificate, certificate of Mexican nationality, or naturalization letter issued by Mexico. Besides, you should prepare your parents’ or grandparents’ marriage or divorce papers, to prove their relationships as well. Each document requires a certified copy and two photocopies of them unless specified.
If your child is born in Mexico, you may apply for Mexican citizenship as well. You should present the Mexican birth certificate for each of your children (requires a certified copy and two photocopies).
Mexican citizenship by marriage
If you marry a Mexican citizen, you can apply for Mexican citizenship after two years of residence in the country. Here are the additional documents required. Each one requires a certified copy and two photocopies of them unless specified.
- Marriage certification: If you were married in Mexico, a marriage certificate issued by the Mexican Civil Registry Office is required. If married abroad, the marriage should have been registered in the Office as well. In both cases, the date of the marriage must be two years before the submission of the application.
- Proof of Spouse’s Mexican nationality: your spouse should present one out of the three documents: Mexican birth certificate, certificate of Mexican nationality, and naturalization letter issued by Mexico.
- Spouse’s official identification: your spouse should present a valid identification with a photograph and signature of him/her.
Besides, your spouse should write a declaration letter under oath of truth that you two have lived together as a couple for at least two years. No copy is required on this letter.
Benefits of being Mexican citizens
It seems easier to remain a permanent resident in Mexico than to get Mexican citizenship, but there are some significant differences for you to consider. Compared with temporary and permanent residency, Mexican citizenship entitles you to some obvious advantages:
✅ Employment and entrepreneurship in Mexico without immigration restrictions.
✅ The right to vote.
✅ Purchase of property with no need for bank trust.
✅ No more reporting to Immigration or renewing residency.
✅ A Mexican passport.
FAQ
- Can I get dual citizenship in Mexico?
Mexico accepts dual citizenship. However, whether you can get dual citizenship depends on your home country. You should verify whether your country of origin also accepts dual citizenship.
- Does the U.S. accept dual citizenship?
Yes, the United States accepts dual citizenship.
- Is it easy to get Mexican citizenship?
To become a Mexican citizen, first of all, you should fulfill the residency requirements. Besides, you should pass the Mexican history & culture exam and the Spanish language test. The entire naturalization procedure may take up to one year, which includes a review of the application by the Mexican authorities.
- Can I live in Mexico without being a citizen?
Yes, you can live in Mexico as a permanent resident without applying for citizenship. There are two situations. For one, if you want to live in Mexico indefinitely, you need to apply for a Permanent Resident Visa at the Consular Office closest to your residence. For another, if you want to live in Mexico temporarily (less than 4 years), you may apply for a Temporary Resident Visa.
Conclusion
This guide covers everything about how to get Mexican citizenship by naturalization, including preparing correct documentation, step-by-step guidance on application, and frequently asked questions. It takes effort and time to achieve the goal, but you will find it totally worth it, given the benefits of being a Mexican citizen.
Dolores Xiao