HOW TO GET MEXICAN CITIZENSHIP: Costs and Requirements

Living and working in Mexico is inexpensive. There’s affordable housing everywhere. The beaches and welcoming culture make life worth living. There’s also excellent healthcare to look forward to.

But you can only have free access to these benefits by being a citizen. Yes, getting Mexican Citizenship gives you a massive advantage in living a prosperous life in Mexico.

You can apply for a Mexican passport after five years of residency. And it doesn’t matter if you have lived either as a temporary or permanent resident in Mexico. 

Be sure you have some Spanish language skills and get ready to pass a test and interview about Mexican history, culture, and values before you can get your Mexican Citizenship.

Looking for how to get Mexican Citizenship? Keep reading to understand the costs and requirements.  But first, how easy can it be to get Mexican Citizenship?    

Is it Easy to Get Mexican Citizenship?

Yes, it is relatively easy to become a Mexican citizen once you obtain your permanent residency after living in Mexico for a minimum of five years. In fact, most foreigners qualify for Mexican citizenship through naturalization. While there are other means to become a citizen in Mexico, such as by birth or marriage,  reaching the required number of permanent residency is easy for foreigners.  

Does Mexico Allow Dual Citizenship?

Yes, Mexico allows dual citizenship, so you don’t have to renounce your current citizenship to obtain Mexican citizenship. 

How Can I Get Mexico Citizenship?

You can apply and get Mexican Citizenship after 5 years of residence in Mexico. You can also get Mexican Citizenship by parents, by marriage, and by descent.

How To Get Mexican Citizenship Through Parents

You can apply to become a Mexican citizen if one or both of your parents have Mexican nationality.

Requirement 

• Present evidence that the applicant’s children, parents, or grandparents have Mexican nationality by origin by presenting an original or certified copy of the Mexican Electoral ID, passport, and birth certificate.
• Show evidence that the applicant has lived in Mexico for at least 24 months, legally and continuously with a FM3 or a FM2. You may not be out of the Country for more than 180 days of the 24 months immediately before filing for the application.
• Complete and sign the application form, including his personal data.
• Submit his original FM-3 or FM-2, which must be current for at least six months before submitting your application (e.g. if you apply for citizenship on January 1, your FM must be valid at least until July 1). The original is inspected, and the Authority keeps only copy.
• List all entries and exits from Mexico during the 24 months before the date of application.
• Present original and current foreign passport and copies thereof (the original is inspected, and the Authority keeps only copy).
• Present two color and passport-sized photos. No glasses or hats may be worn.
• Pay a filing fee: of 3,205.00 pesos (approximately $300 US dollars).
• Present evidence that you can speak Spanish, know Mexican history and are integrated into the national culture.

Cost of Mexican Certificate, Office Address, and Contact

If your parents live abroad, they can obtain a Mexican certificate at the consulate. To book an appointment, see a link to the appointment page below:

https://mexitel.sre.gob.mx/citas.webportal/pages/public/login/login.jsf

• Cost of a certified copy of the Mexican certificate: approximately $13
• Cost of Processing: $89.75  

You can also Click Here to fill out the application form for registration of birth of Mexicans born abroad. After that, click here to schedule your appointment.

Note: Both parents and two witnesses over 18 years must be present during the whole process on the date of the appointment. 

Tel:  1-424-309-009 for further inquiries.

Address: Consulate General of Mexico in Houston, Texas. 10555 Richmond Ave. (Parking by 3200 Rogerdale Rd.) Houston TX 77042 

How To Get Mexican Citizenship Through Marriage

If you are married to a Mexican citizen, you need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa first. Then after two years, you can become a permanent resident. However, if you gave birth to a child in Mexico, you can go right ahead and apply for permanent residency.  

Either case, you must fulfill the following requirements:

• Present certified copy of the marriage certificate.
• Original and copy of the spouse’s official Mexican ID and naturalization card or birth certificate.
• Present evidence of being married for years before filling the application.
• Proof that the applicant has lived legally and continuously in Mexico for at least 24 months with an FM-3 or an FM-2.
• You may not be out of the country for more than 180 days of the 24 months immediately before applying.
•  Complete and sign the application form, including his data.
• Submit your spouse’s original copy of the current FM-3 or FM-2. The Authority inspects the original and documents only a copy.
• List all entries and exits from Mexico during the 24 months before the date of application.
• Provide original and current foreign passports and copies to the Authority.
• Present two color and passport-sized photos. Make sure you don’t wear glasses or hats.
• Pay a filing fee of 1,130.00 Pesos (approximately $100). 
• Evidence that you speak Spanish and know Mexican history and culture from the Institute “Matias Romero.”  

Contact: 1-424-309-009

How To Get Mexican Dual Citizenship

You can apply for naturalization-based citizenship if you’ve been a legal resident of Mexico for at least five years. You will pay a filing fee of 3,205.00 pesos (approximately $300 US dollars). You’ll also present evidence that you can speak Spanish, know Mexican history, and are akin to the national culture.

How To Get Mexican Citizenship Through Residency

To become a Mexican citizen by residency, you must fulfill the following requirements:

• Provide evidence you have lived in Mexico legally and continuously with a FM-3 or a FM-2 for at least five years. You may not be out of the Country for more than 180 days in the 24 months immediately before filing for the application.
• Complete and sign the application form, including your data.
• Submit your original FM-3 or FM-2, which must be current for at least 180 days following the date of application. The original FM will be inspected and returned upon submittal of the application and relinquished upon receipt of your Naturalization Card.
• List all entries and departures from Mexico FOR ONLY THE PAST TWO YEARS before the date of application.
• Present original and current foreign passport and copies thereof (the original is inspected and returned, and the Authority keeps the copy).
• Present two color and passport-sized photos. No glasses or hats may be worn.
• Pay a filing fee of 3,205.00 pesos (approximately $300 US dollars)
• 8. Evidence that you can speak Spanish, know Mexican history, and integrate into the national culture.

Contact: 1-424-309-009

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Citizen of Mexico?

• The filing fee for Mexican Citizenship through Marriage is 1,130.00 Pesos (approximately $100)
• Filling fee for Mexican Citizenship through parents is 3,205.00 pesos (approximately $300 US dollars)
• Filing Fee for Mexican Citizenship through residency is 3,205.00 pesos (approximately $300 US dollars)

What Are the Benefits of Being a Mexican Citizen?

Many perks come with being a Mexican citizen. You’ll have access to healthcare, jobs, education, and other social services that every Mexican enjoys. The following are other benefits that come with being a Mexican citizen:  

• Dual nationality 
• You can obtain a Mexican passport
• You will not have to pay special fees to enter Mexico
• Unlike other foreigners, you can acquire properties in Mexico without limitations
• You can vote in Mexico
• Access to public schools
• You can enroll in National health insurance
• You can work without a work visa
• If you have kids, they can enter the country and leave as they like
• You live in Mexico as much as you want

Where is the Easiest Country to Get Citizenship?

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Greece
• Paraguay
• Argentina 
• Vanuatu
• Barbados
• Fiji
• Jamaica
• Mexico
• Panama
• Uruguay

Summary

You can become a Mexican citizen through your parent, spouse, or residency. If any or two of your parents have Mexican Nationality, it might cost you about 3,205.00 pesos (approximately $300 US dollars) to complete the filing.

Those seeking citizenship through their spouse may pay a filing fee of about 1,130.00 Pesos (approximately $100). In comparison, those seeking to become citizens through naturalization might pay a filing fee of 3,205.00 pesos (approximately $300 US dollars).