🇲🇽 Mexican Dual Citizenship: Step-by-Step Guide for U.S. Citizens

🇲🇽 Mexican Dual Citizenship: Step-by-Step Guide for U.S. Citizens

Last updated: April 2025

Many U.S. citizens pursue Mexican dual citizenship for family, cultural, business, or retirement reasons. Whether you’re reconnecting with your heritage or planning to live part-time in Mexico, this guide will walk you through how to apply for Mexican nationality without losing your U.S. citizenship.

🧠 Can You Have Dual Citizenship with Mexico and the U.S.?

Yes. Both the United States and Mexico allow dual nationality.

• The U.S. permits dual citizenship but expects U.S. citizens to use their U.S. passport when entering or leaving the United States.

🔗 U.S. Department of State – Dual Nationality

• Mexico recognizes dual nationality and allows citizens to acquire another nationality without renouncing Mexican citizenship.

🔗 Mexican Nationality Law – SRE

🧾 Overview: Ways to Get Mexican Citizenship as a U.S. Citizen

There are 3 main ways a U.S. citizen can obtain Mexican citizenship:

🪪 Path 1: Mexican Citizenship by Birth (Parents or Grandparents)

If one or both of your parents are Mexican citizens born in Mexico, you are already eligible for Mexican nationality by birth.

✅ Requirements:

• Proof that at least one parent (or grandparent in some cases) was born in Mexico

• Your U.S. birth certificate (apostilled + translated)

📝 Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Get your U.S. birth certificate apostilled in the state where you were born.

🔗 Find your state’s apostille office

2. Translate it into Spanish by an official translator (traductor público certificado).

3. Schedule an appointment at a Mexican Consulate near you:

🔗 https://citas.sre.gob.mx

4. Submit:

• Original and apostilled birth certificate + Spanish translation

• Mexican parent’s birth certificate (or passport)

• Your U.S. passport and ID

• Passport-sized photos

• Completed application form

5. Receive your Mexican birth certificate (Acta de Nacimiento) and CURP (ID number).

📌 This process does not require residency in Mexico and is usually completed within a few weeks.

💍 Path 2: Mexican Citizenship by Marriage

If you’re married to a Mexican citizen, you can apply for Mexican citizenship after 2 years of legal residency in Mexico.

✅ Requirements:

• Valid marriage to a Mexican citizen (must be registered in Mexico)

• Proof of living in Mexico for 2 years

• Valid residency card

📝 Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Register your marriage in Mexico (if married abroad)

🔗 Marriage Registration – SRE

2. Apply for temporary or permanent residency at a Mexican consulate:

🔗 https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx

3. After two years of continuous residency, submit your naturalization application at the SRE.

Required documents:

• Marriage certificate (registered in Mexico)

• Valid U.S. passport

• Permanent residency card

• Proof of address in Mexico

• 2 recent passport photos

4. Pass the citizenship exam (unless exempt—e.g., over 60 or disabled):

🔗 Citizenship Exam Guide – SRE PDF

5. Receive your Carta de Naturalización (naturalization certificate).

🏡 Path 3: Mexican Citizenship by Residency (Naturalization)

This is the most common route for non-Mexican citizens who have lived legally in Mexico.

✅ General Eligibility:

• 5 years of legal residency (2 years for some Latin American and Iberian citizens)

• No criminal record

• Basic Spanish proficiency and knowledge of Mexican culture

📝 Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Obtain temporary or permanent residency in Mexico through:

• Family ties

• Retirement income

• Investment/business

• Work sponsorship

🔗 Visa Types – Mexican Government

2. After 5 years (or 2 in special cases), apply for naturalization.

Required documents:

• Application form:

🔗 Download here – Naturalization Form

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months)

• Residency card

• Apostilled and translated birth certificate

• Proof of income or employment

• Criminal background check

• CURP

• Proof of integration into Mexican society (e.g., work, volunteer, cultural involvement)

3. Schedule appointment at SRE:

🔗 https://citas.sre.gob.mx

4. Take the citizenship exam on history, government, and culture.

5. Receive your Carta de Naturalización.

🧾 After Approval: Next Steps

Once you’re approved, you’ll receive:

• Carta de Naturalización

• Mexican CURP (Unique Population Registry Code)

• You can now apply for:

• A Mexican passport

🔗 Apply for passport – SRE

• An INE (voter card) if over 18

• Rights to own property, work, and vote in Mexico

🛂 Using Two Passports: Important Rules

• Use your U.S. passport to enter/leave the U.S.

• Use your Mexican passport to enter/leave Mexico

• Comply with tax obligations in both countries, especially if living abroad more than 183 days per year

• Renew both passports before expiration

⚠️ Apostille Requirement for U.S. Documents

All U.S. documents used in your application (e.g., birth or marriage certificates) must be:

1. Apostilled in the U.S.

🔗 U.S. Apostille Requirements – State Dept

2. Officially translated into Spanish by a certified translator in Mexico or U.S.

🕐 Processing Time and Fees

📚 Official Resources

🧠 FAQs

Q1: Will I lose my U.S. citizenship if I become a Mexican citizen?

No. The United States allows dual nationality. You can hold both passports.

Q2: Can I vote in Mexico as a dual citizen?

Yes. Once you have your Mexican voter ID (INE), you can vote in elections.

Q3: Is the citizenship test hard?

It’s basic but requires preparation. You’ll need to know Mexican history, symbols, and government structure.

Q4: Can I own land in Mexico as a dual citizen?

Yes. As a Mexican citizen, you can buy property in the restricted zones (e.g., near beaches and borders) without a fideicomiso.

Q5: Can I pass on Mexican citizenship to my children?

Yes. Once you’re a Mexican citizen, your children (even if born abroad) are eligible for nationality by birth.

✅ Final Thoughts

Obtaining Mexican dual citizenship as a U.S. citizen is a structured but highly accessible process, especially if you have Mexican ancestry or a connection to the country. Whether you’re pursuing it for cultural roots, freedom of travel, or retirement, the process is well worth the effort.

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