Naturalization — this is the process that every foreigner must go through to acquire Mexican citizenship. The process includes several stages: collecting and submitting documents, passing exams, and receiving a letter of naturalization. It is the letter of naturalization that is the main document confirming that a non-resident has acquired Mexican citizenship.
There are all kinds of grounds for obtaining Mexican citizenship. There are 7 of them in total. Basic base — required to live in Mexico as a resident for 5 years. However, this period can be up to 2 years if you married a Mexican citizen, gave birth to a child in Mexico, are a citizen of one of the Ibero-American countries, or you — outstanding personality. Each basis requires the preparation of its own package of papers. For minors — their standards for obtaining citizenship, children have the right to begin the naturalization process after one of the parents receives citizenship.
The naturalization procedure is carried out by selected offices of the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE). They accept documentation, conduct examinations, and issue letters of naturalization.
Prepare the main documents
All standards for the validity period of documentation presented below are calculated from the expected date of submission of documents for naturalization.
1. Check yourinternational passport. The minimum validity period of the passport must be at least 45 days. If your passport's validity period is shorter, you will have to get a new one. If you cannot obtain a valid document proving your current citizenship, you will not be able to complete the naturalization process. Make 2 copies of all pages of your passport, including the outer cover, each spread (2 pages) in natural size on a separate sheet. We strongly advise making color copies of your passport pages, in other words after scanning.
If you are a refugee, instead of a passport, you may have a temporary travel document issued by the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which in addition can verify your identity. This document must be valid for at least 45 more days.
The passport must allow you to track all your exits and entries into Mexico over the past 2 years. If your passport is recently issued, you will also need your previous passport and 2 copies of all its pages. If you don’t have an old passport or the stamps in your passport are illegible, you should contact the migration service at the place where you received your resident card and request information about all your exits and entries (constancia de flujo migratorio or certificado de movimientos migratorios). It may take a week or more to purchase this document from the migration service. How to get flujo migratorio from the migration service, we told in thispublications. We advise you to always purchase a document on exits and entries from the migration service, even if the history of absence from Mexico can be traced using a passport.
2. Prepareapplication for exits and entriesor their absence. Calculate the number of days you were absent from Mexico in the 2 years preceding the day you submitted your naturalization documents. How to correctly count these days, we told in thisarticle. There you will also find the format for an application for departures and entries or about the absence of departures during this time. Children before naturalization should not leave Mexico within 1 year, and for them you should fill out an application for no travel, which you can also find at the link above. The application must be accompanied by 2 black and white copies of it.
Your application for citizenship must be approved by the migration service (opinión el Instituto Nacional de Migración), which will receive a copy of your file from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where you will apply for citizenship. If the data on exits and entries that you indicated in the application does not match the data in the migration database, you will receive a refusal.
3. You must havebirth certificatewith an apostille, brought from home. The apostille should be on the original, and not on a notarized copy. This original will be taken from you. Instead of the original certificate, there may be a repeated certificate or a duplicate, which has the force of the original. An old-style certificate (a book with a cover) will also be suitable, the main thing is that it has an apostille attached to it.
3.1. If you changed your first or last name, accompany your birth certificate with a certificate of change of name or marriage certificate, in addition with an apostille. This document can only be purchased in the home country or where the marriage certificate was issued if the surname changed during marriage.
Birth certificates and certificates of change of name must be translated into Spanish by an officially licensed Mexican translator. This will be a «certified translation». If the middle name is included in the translation, you must obtain a certificate from the consulate of your country stating that the middle name (nombre patronímico) is not part of the first or last name. The certificate may be issued personally or by a third party with the applicant’s passport. The certificate is issued by appointment on the day of application. It will already be in Spanish. You can ask the translator in advance to omit the middle name in the translation, then a certificate from the consulate is not needed.
If the birth certificate is in two languages, the translation is done from one language, but the translator indicates that the texts of the certificate in different languages are identical.
3.2. If you changed your last name, the consulate is required to obtain a certificate stating that the person on the birth certificate and in the passport are the same person. The consulate will issue this certificate based on the certificate of change of name. Help will be in Spanish.
4.Resident cardmust have a remaining validity period of at least 6 months. This restriction applies to all Temporary Resident Cards and Minor Permanent Resident Cards. If your card's validity period is shorter, you must first obtain a new card and then begin the naturalization procedure. For example, 2 years after receiving a resident card due to marriage to a Mexican citizen, you must first apply for a new temporary or permanent resident card, and then apply for citizenship.
It is important to make sure that 2 or 5 years have passed since the purchase of your very first resident card. To do this, we suggest having copies of old resident cards.
Make 2 photocopies of each card, full size front and back on one sheet.
5. Make two of the same colorphotospassport size (4.5 x 3.5 cm), on a white background, full face, without glasses, with bare head. You can quote the following to the photo studio employee: Entregar dos fotografías iguales recientes a color, tamaño pasaporte (4.5 x 3.5 cms.), fond cono blanco, de frente, sin anteojos, cabeza descubierta.
6. Download yourCURP— unique number of a resident of Mexico. We told you how to do thisHere. What you need is a file with confirmation of CURP registration so that it can be printed later. Preferably print in color. In addition, make 2 black and white copies.
7. Get federal and localcertificates of no criminal record. The federal one is very easy to find on the Internet. In a number of states, it is possible to obtain a local certificate via the Internet; in other states, you will have to apply for it in person. The federal certificate must be validated. For instructions on obtaining police clearance certificates, see thispublications. The validity period of both certificates — 3 months.
In total, you must have: 1) a federal certificate of no criminal record, 2) a page for its validation, 3) a local certificate of no criminal record, and also 2 copies of each of these documents.
If you have lived5 years as a resident, these papers will be enough to acquire citizenship. When you are allowed to apply for Mexican citizenship earlier than 5 years after purchasing a resident card, additional paperwork will be required.
Citizenship by birth of a child
- A certified copy of the child's Mexican birth certificate (can be prepared online) or its original.
It is better to contact the Civil Registry Office (Registro Civil office) and get a certified copy on colored stamp paper. Other additional papers may be required, for example, primary documentation from the hospital about the birth.
The presence of the child at the submission of documents is not necessary.
Citizenship by marriage to a Mexican citizen
The personal presence of the Mexican spouse is required!
- A marriage certificate issued in Mexico or an extract from the Mexican Civil Registry documenting a marriage registered abroad.
You should get married or make an entry in the Civil Register no earlier than two years before submitting your application for naturalization. If you are submitting a certified copy of the Mexican Certificate, it must be recent (date of receipt matters) and preferably received from the Civil Registry Office on stamped colored paper.
- Mexican spouse ID with photo and signature.
This may be a foreign passport or an INE voting card. The home address (as shown on the INE card) must match the address that is registered in the system of the National Institute of Migration of Mexico when issuing a resident card to the foreign spouse (i.e., the addresses of the spouses at which both of them are registered must be the same).
- One of the following documents for the Mexican spouse:
- certified copy of birth certificate — a fresh copy received from the registry office on stamped colored paper,
- certificate of Mexican citizenship, if citizenship is derived from the citizenship of the parents,
- naturalization letter for naturalized citizens.
If the spouse was not born in Mexico, a certified copy of his parents' marriage certificate or a certified copy of the birth certificate of one of his parents will also be required — a Mexican citizen or a certified copy of an older sibling's birth certificate.
- a statement signed personally by the Mexican spouse when submitting documents in the presence of an employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stating that for the last 2 years the spouses have lived together on Mexican territory.
The date on the application is the day of signing. The address of residence must match the address registered with the migration service. If the Mexican spouse was absent from Mexico on behalf of the Mexican government, a declaration of cohabitation is sufficient. You can view the application formHere.
You need to make 2 copies of the photo spread from your spouse’s passport, and from your INE card — 2 full-size copies of the card on both sides on one sheet (the same as with the resident card).
Citizenship for children of Mexicans by birth or naturalization
One or both parents are required to attend in person. The child must have his own passport, resident card and birth certificate with translation, as described above.
- Identification card for each parent with photo and signature.
If the parent is a Mexican citizen, this may be an INE voting card or passport. If the parent is not a Mexican citizen, they can verify their identity by providing a passport + Mexican resident card, if available.
- One of the following documents confirming the parent's Mexican citizenship:
- certified copy of birth certificate — a fresh copy received from the registry office on stamped colored paper,
- certificate of Mexican citizenship, if citizenship is derived from the citizenship of the parents,
- naturalization letter for naturalized citizens.
If a parent acquired Mexican citizenship by birth but was not born in Mexico, a certified copy of the parent's marriage certificate or a certified copy of one parent's birth certificate will also be required — a Mexican citizen or a certified copy of an older sibling's birth certificate.
- A certified copy of the adoption document, if applicable,
- Authorization from the other parent for the child to acquire Mexican citizenship if such parent is not a Mexican citizen.
The authorization must state that the Mexican parent is the responsible parent, accepts responsibility for the child and fulfills financial obligations. This document must be signed by the other parent in person upon submission (you will also need his or her photo ID, confirmation of parental rights and legal status in Mexico, plus 2 photocopies of these papers) or issued as a power of attorney through a Mexican consular office abroad.
Do not sign documents that require a signature in advance. You will sign them upon submission, in the presence of an employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
We talked about the peculiarities of obtaining Mexican citizenship by minor foreigners (children) in thisarticle.
Citizenship for outstanding individuals:documentation issued by a university or government agency that confirms that work or services have been performed.
In the list above, we have omitted the criteria for documents for acquiring citizenship by foreigners who are descendants up to the second degree of Mexicans born in Mexico.
Sign up to submit documentation and receive confirmation
Pre-registration for submitting documentation is required. Register here herepageMexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SINNA) and confirm your email address. Use only a computer to register, not a smartphone. Fill in the required fields with your personal information. Once you have started the process of registering and purchasing an appointment to submit documents on the site, complete it to the end, since it is impossible to save the data already entered.
Select the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office where you will submit documents. There you will take exams and then receive a letter of naturalization. Available offices across the country are presentedHere, you can contact any without reference to your residential address.
After registering on the site, a letter with the application number (folio) will be sent to the specified email address. By clicking on the link in the letter, you need to select and confirm the day and time for submitting documents. After your appointment to submit papers is confirmed, you will receive another confirmation letter, application number (folio), date and time of paper submission. Confirmation must be savedprintand present it at the entrance to the selected MFA office and when submitting documents.
Fill out the DNN-3 application
Fill out online or download, print and fill out the application formDNN-3(Solicitud de carta de naturalización). The downloaded application file can be filled out on a computer or by hand. Don't sign it yet. This is a basic application for citizenship. A link to download the DNN-3 application form will be available on the calendar page for selecting the date of visit when you signed up to submit documents.
The DNN-3 application form is a 9-page PDF file, but only the first 3 pages must be completed. The remaining six pages describe the official criteria and how to complete the form and do not need to be printed. All materials that you enter into DNN-3 must exactly match what is indicated in your passport, birth certificate and other supporting documents. Some tips for filling out the application:
- address, marital status and place of work must match those contained in the migration service database. You provided this information when receiving your resident card or upon subsequent notifications. If, as a resident, you changed this data, make sure that you notify the migration service of the changes. If not notified, then notify first and then enter them into DNN-3,
- all names, dates, and place names must be spelled identical to those in your documents. Try to match the case of letters too,
- sign the form only at the time of submission in front of the Foreign Ministry employee who will accept your application,
- The parent fills out the form for the child.
Matching the specified addressthe one contained in the migration service database is very significant. When you contact the migration service for any reason related to naturalization, they will definitely ask you to confirm the relevance of your address and even have the opportunity to check whether you really live there.
If a child is being naturalized, the address indicated in DNN-3 must match not only the address in the migration service database, but also the address of the parent indicated on his INE voting card, if the parent confirms his identity with such a card.
There should be no empty fields or columns. If you have nothing to enter in the field, enter «n/a» there.
It is better to fill out the PDF on your computer. And to do this, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader or the full version of Adobe Acrobat. To fill out a form accompanied by a reading version of Adobe Acrobat, look for the «Fill and Sign» option that should appear in the menu on the right after opening the file. If you take your laptop with you to your application, you will be able to make any changes on the spot and then print your application at your local office supply store.
Photos are submitted separately from the DNN-3 application; they do not need to be pasted in.
Make with DNN-3 statementtwopaperphotocopies.
Get your documents together
As a result, he should purchase approximately the following package of documentation from you:
- confirmation of registration for submission of documentation received by email,
- DNN-3 statement,
- international passport,
- birth certificate + official translation,
- application for entry and exit,
- resident card,
- CURP,
- 2 photos,
- federal certificate of no criminal record + its validation,
- local certificate of no criminal record,
- papers explaining the change of first and last name (if changed),
- certificate from the consulate about the middle name (if the middle name was included in the translation),
- other documentation if you receive citizenship based on the birth of a child in Mexico, marriage to a Mexican citizen, as a minor, etc.
Later, a receipt for payment of the state duty for carrying out the naturalization processes will be added to them.
In addition, take with you:
- an empty lockable folder for papers of the size of oficio, preferably paper,
- black ballpoint pen.
Each document must be accompanied by 2 simple photocopies. Where signatures are required, place them on copies after you sign the main document in the presence of a Foreign Ministry employee.
Place all papers in a folder. Attach copies to the original only with a paper clip, not a stapler.
Submit the papers
To submit documents, you must come to the selected office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in person and unaccompanied. Arrive a little early as there are no long lines. Translators are not allowed. If the procedure for obtaining citizenship by marriage, both spouses must be present. If a minor is to undergo naturalization, both parents must be present or the second parent must have a consular power of attorney.
Before submitting your documents, you will be given a paper invoice to pay the state fee. Fill only the top part, as shown in the example in our picture. Please include your RFC, CURP and last name — name in correct order. If you have the same last name, replace Apellido materno with a dash. You must pay the bill at one of the specified banks. You can easily find such a bank nearby. The current amount of state fees for procedures related to naturalization can be found in thispublications(«Naturalization process»). On the Internet you can find instructions on how to independently generate payment details. We do not suggest using these instructions or invoices received on the Internet or in other offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as they may contain incorrect details. Use the invoice form obtained only from the office where you will undergo the naturalization procedure.
After payment, make 2 photocopies of the payment receipt and return to the MFA office to continue submitting documents.
An employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will begin checking the papers. If there is any comment or error in the documents, their acceptance will be refused, and the reason for the refusal will be announced. If you have the right to quickly make corrections, you will have time to resubmit the documentation on the same day. Otherwise, you will have to get a new appointment through the website for a visit on another day.
In addition, you will be asked to sign additional documentation; for this you must have your own pen.
If your documents are accepted, you will be notified by email and an exam date will be assigned. Most often, the exam takes place on the same day, immediately after receiving the documentation. You should be prepared for this, but you have the right to refuse «today» and ask to set another date.
You must pass 1 or 2 exams, on knowledge of the Spanish language and on the history and culture of Mexico. Minors, those over 65 years of age, and also refugees are exempt from the second.
The history and culture exam is conducted on a computer. You must correctly answer at least 8 out of 10 questions, choosing the answer options from the proposed ones. The duration of the exam is 10 minutes.
The language exam is also conducted on a computer. The exam will require you to answer 6 simple questions related to 6 passages from Mexican legends. Possible answers are provided, but they are also often clear from the passage itself. There must be at least 5 correct answers. The exam lasts 10 minutes.
Then a short oral interview is conducted in Spanish (minimum A2 required) recorded on camera. General questions will be asked, including asking you to repeat some information from the DNN-3 questionnaire (how old are you? why do you want to become a Mexican citizen? what Mexican traditions do you know? etc.).
If you pass the exams successfully, you will go through the biometric steps (photographing and fingerprinting). In the future, you will be able to track the naturalization process online. After about six months, you will receive a letter of naturalization. You will be notified when the naturalization letter is issued. You must pick up the letter within 15 calendar days from the date of notification.
This will complete the process of acquiring Mexican citizenship. Next, you can prepare other Mexican papers, including your voting card (INE/IFE) and passport for traveling abroad.
If you need assistance in collecting, preparing and submitting documentation for Mexican citizenship, write to us.
