Naturalization Process for Mexico

October 19, 2023


While many foreigners in Mexico choose to return to their home countries after a few years, others choose to make Mexico their new home. They may want to stay because of professional obligations, because they have established a family in Mexico, or simply because they enjoy the Mexican lifestyle and the country’s natural beauty. Some may want to retire in Mexico.

If you’ve chosen to stay in Mexico indefinitely, you can maintain permanent residency or apply for naturalization to obtain Mexican citizenship. Citizenship entitles you to obtain a Mexican passport, vote in elections, and own certain property otherwise restricted to residents or requiring a bank trust.

If you are thinking of naturalization, this guide gives you insights into the requirements, comprehensive answers to frequently asked questions, and the time frames to expect.

Can a US citizen become a Mexican citizen?

Absolutely. Many US citizens choose to reside permanently in Mexico for various reasons—work, family ties, lifestyle, or retirement. They can do this by acquiring Mexican citizenship through naturalization.

How easy is it for Americans to become Mexican citizens?

Becoming a naturalized Mexican citizen involves meeting some criteria, including residency requirements and passing tests to prove Spanish language proficiency and an understanding of Mexican culture and history. The process can take up to a year to complete, including a review of the application by the Mexican authorities.

What are the routes to Mexican citizenship for US citizens?

The primary route to Mexican citizenship for US citizens is naturalization through residence, which requires at least five years of legal residency in Mexico. Other routes include:

  • Marrying a Mexican national
  • Having Mexican children
  • Having Mexican parents, even if you were born abroad or adopted
  • Being a national of any Latin American country or the Iberian peninsula and applying for Mexican naturalization based on common ties
  • Applying for Mexican citizenship through contributions to the Mexican nation in culture, science, arts, society, sports, technology, or enterprise.

What are the steps to becoming a naturalized citizen of Mexico?

Gaining Mexican citizenship through residence requires:

  • Being of legal (18), or being a minor who meets certain criteria: either “blood rights” (i.e., having been born in Mexico or having Mexican parents) or having parents who have become Mexican citizens. Other foreign persons must wait until they are 18 years or older to apply for citizenship.
  • Fulfilling the requirement of at least five years of legal residency
  • Demonstrating ties to Mexico
  • Submitting an application
  • Passing the history, culture, and language exams
  • Waiting for approval, which typically takes from five months to a year

What are the required documents for Mexican citizenship?

The application documents required to become a Mexican citizen through residence are:

  • An original and a copy of the DNN-3 application. The application can be downloaded after preregistration
  • An original and two photocopies of the card issued by the Ministry of the Interior proving the condition of temporary or permanent residence
  • An original and a photocopy of the foreign birth certificate, issued by the corresponding Civil Registry office, adequately legalized by the Mexican diplomatic or consular representative of the place of its issuance (or apostilled by the competent authority where applicable). It must also be translated into Spanish by an expert translator authorized by the Judicial Power of any federal entity of the national territory
  • Original and two legible photocopies of all the pages of the foreign passport or, where applicable, of the identity and travel document
  • A letter listing the number of exits and entries made from and to the country during the prior two years before the application submission and affirming the truth. An example for this letter and an alternative to certify no entries or exits during the specified period can be downloaded from the Mexican government’s naturalization by residency page.
  • Copies of your criminal records issued by the competent authorities at the federal and local levels
  • Proof of passing the test on Mexican history and culture and the Spanish proficiency test
  • Two identical, recent color photographs of yourself, front-facing, without glasses, and head uncovered. The photos must be passport size (4.5 x 3.5 cm) with a white background.
  • Two printed copies of the Unique Population Registration Code (CURP)
  • The original and a copy of the proof of payment of the corresponding fees

When can I apply for Mexican citizenship?

The period of residence required before you can apply for Mexican citizenship varies based on the path you choose.

  • Those applying for naturalization by residency can do so after fulfilling the requirement of at least five years of legal residence.
  • Those applying for naturalization through a Mexican spouse or Mexican child can do so after two years of legal residence.
  • Individuals who seek naturalization through contributions to the Mexican nation can do so after two years of legal residence.
  • Nationals of Latin American or Iberian peninsula countries can apply for Mexican citizenship after two years of legal residence.
  • Those claiming their Mexican citizenship through parentage (including by adoption) can do so after one year of legal residence.

Individuals residing in Mexico with a temporary student visa cannot apply for naturalization, regardless of their qualifications, without obtaining another legal residency status. Your time in Mexico as a student does not count toward the residency time required to apply for citizenship.

How long does the naturalization process for Mexico take?

The process to become a Mexican citizen typically takes around five months to a year to complete, including the time Mexican authorities need for an official review of the application. However, this timeline may vary based on the individual case. Applicants will be notified of the decision no more than three months after review by the immigration authorities at the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) de la Secretaría de Gobernación.

What regulations are involved with becoming a naturalized citizen of Mexico?

Some of the regulations include a requirement for legal residence in Mexico for at least five years and passing a history, culture, and Spanish language exam. All applicants must prove a working knowledge of Spanish, but some people, including minors, those over 60, and those who reside in Mexico on humanitarian grounds under the auspices of COMAR, may be exempt from the Mexican history and culture exam.

Applicants who fail the exam initially may retake it in 15 working days, and up to two times. If you continue to fail the exam, you must wait a year to reapply for citizenship and retake the exams.

After becoming a naturalized Mexican citizen, you cannot seek refuge in your original country’s embassy or consulate should you find yourself in legal trouble in Mexico.

It’s important to note that naturalized Mexican citizens must reside in Mexico. Residing outside Mexico for five years or longer may cause you to lose Mexican citizenship status by law. At the same time, individuals born in Mexico will never lose their Mexican nationality, regardless of how long they might live abroad.

What is the fee for becoming a Mexican citizen?

As of 2023, the mandated government fee for Mexico’s naturalization application is  8,395 (Mexican pesos; MXN). There are other fees for obtaining certified copies of documents related to the application. The Mexican government’s naturalization website has a full schedule of current fees and the time required to obtain the necessary documents. All fee payments must be made via bank transfer by approved means.

FAQs about Mexico’s naturalization process

Can a foreigner get citizenship in Mexico?

Yes, foreigners can obtain Mexican citizenship through naturalization by one of several pathways: via residence, family ties, or significant contributions to Mexico.

Can I live in Mexico permanently?

Yes, foreigners can live in Mexico permanently through long-term residency or by obtaining Mexican  . It is possible to live in Mexico indefinitely as a Permanent Resident without applying for citizenship.

How do I apply for Mexican citizenship?

Applications for citizenship must be submitted to the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs (SRE) through the main office in Mexico City, or at approved regional offices.

Is dual citizenship allowed in Mexico?

Dual citizenship is allowed in Mexico, but potential dual citizens should verify whether the laws of their country of birth also accept dual nationality.

Will my child get Mexican citizenship?

If a child is born in Mexico, even to parents who are not Mexican nationals, or born abroad to at least one parent who is a Mexican citizen, they are granted Mexican citizenship by birth.

What does Mexican citizenship entitle me to?

Mexican citizenship entitles you to various benefits, such as the right to vote, the freedom to change jobs or address without having to notify authorities, and the ability to own property in select areas without needing a bank trust.

How long does it take to get Mexican citizenship?

The process of acquiring Mexican citizenship once residency requirements have been met typically takes between five months and a year, depending on individual circumstances and administrative burdens.

Is the Mexican citizenship test difficult?

The citizenship test requires knowledge of Mexican history and national culture and the ability to speak Spanish. There is a study guide available on the Mexican Naturalization webpage that provides links to study tools. Minors, individuals over 60, and those residing in Mexico under the auspices of COMAR are exempt from the history and culture exam, but all applicants must pass the basic Spanish language test.

Does Mexico give citizenship by birth?

Yes, anyone born in Mexico is granted citizenship by birth.

How long does it take to get Mexican citizenship after permanent residency?

You must reside in Mexico for at least five years to apply for citizenship, either through temporary or permanent residency, unless qualifying through other means than residency alone. The process of your naturalization application will take another year, so it could be six years before you become a Mexican citizen. Once obtained, naturalized citizens must not reside outside of Mexico for any longer than five consecutive years or they risk losing their Mexican citizenship.

Which is the best way to become a Mexican citizen?

The best way for most to obtain Mexican citizenship is through naturalization by residence, which requires at least five years of legal residency. You may apply for citizenship sooner if you have forged a family while in Mexico, either through marriage or by having children, or if you have contributed a special service to the Mexican nation.

How difficult is it to become a Mexican citizen?

The Mexican citizenship process might be cumbersome because of the number of documents required, and it could take up to a year to complete, but with the correct guidance and meeting the required criteria, it is achievable. In more complex cases, you may want to consult a reputable immigration attorney for guidance—and to avoid multiple trips to the Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SER) to refile your naturalization documents.

How can I track my Mexican citizenship application status?

You can track your application status by contacting the Mexican immigration authorities.

What can I do if my application for Mexican citizenship is refused?

If your application was refused, you may want to consult a reputable immigration attorney to understand the reasons for refusal and determine your next steps.

Can I become a citizen of Mexico if I have previous criminal convictions or offenses?

The impact of previous convictions or offenses on your citizenship application would depend on the nature of those offenses. You may want to consult with a reputable immigration attorney to guide you through the application process in your specific situation.

What happens after I become a citizen of Mexico?

Once you receive your naturalized Mexican citizenship card, you can apply for a Mexican passport and enroll to vote. As a Mexican citizen, you can enjoy greater freedoms: to engage in public life, purchase property, and have more freedom of movement and career opportunities.

Are you ready to apply for Mexican citizenship?

An experienced immigration specialist can help you navigate the complexities of border crossings and adjusting to a new culture. Contact Newland Chase for a quote today.