Mexican Citizenship by Naturalization: How It Works.

Is this for you?

• You have lived in Mexico as a resident for several years and want citizenship.
• You are married to a Mexican citizen and live in Mexico.
• You are from Latin America or the Caribbean, or a descendant of a Mexican, and the law sets a shorter period.
• You have Mexican-born children and want to review your options.

General requirements

Residence period

The Nationality Law requires, as a general rule, a period of residence in Mexico immediately before applying. For some cases, such as marriage to a Mexican citizen or certain nationalities, the period is shorter. It is counted from your immigration history.

Provable legal residence

Resident card, travel and entry records and, when requested, proof you have lived in Mexico lawfully. Long absences can affect the count.

Birth certificate and personal documents

Birth certificate, apostilled or legalized and translated by a certified translator; passport, CURP and, for marriage cases, the marriage certificate and your spouse's documents.

Knowledge test

A test on Mexican history and culture and on the Spanish language, as set by the SRE. Official study guides exist.

Renunciation of prior nationality and oath

The law requires you to renounce your prior nationality before Mexican authorities, along with any submission to or protection from other states. It is a formal act with consequences; we talk it through before you decide.

Application, fees and supporting proof

The SRE application form, payment of fees under the Federal Fees Law in force and documents showing your address and lawful way of living.

Periods, test and documents vary depending on the ground (ordinary residence, marriage, origin, Mexican children). We verify which one applies and what the SRE requires today.

Step-by-step process

1. 1

   Step 1: Verify ground and time

   We review your immigration history and family situation to see whether you already meet the period and which ground suits you best.

2. 2

   Step 2: Gather and legalize documents

   Civil records, certificates and supporting proof are apostilled or legalized and translated when needed. We check that data is consistent.

3. 3

   Step 3: File with the SRE

   The application is filed with the SRE with your full package. You are assigned a test date when applicable.

4. 4

   Step 4: Knowledge test

   We prepare you with the study guide and the topics that are usually covered, so you arrive confident and without surprises.

5. 5

   Step 5: Renunciation, oath and naturalization certificate

   If the SRE decides in your favor, you make the renunciation and oath before the authority and receive the naturalization certificate. Then come your documents as a Mexican citizen, such as birth record, CURP and passport.

Estimated timelines

Common mistakes

• Applying before the required period is complete, or miscounting it by not reviewing travel records and absences.
• Overlooking that your home country may have its own rules on losing or keeping nationality when you naturalize.
• Filing civil records with no apostille or with translations that are not by a certified translator.
• Showing up for the test unprepared because 'it is just basic history'.
• Not asking about the consequences of renouncing your prior nationality before starting.

What our support includes

• A consultation to identify your ground, the period that applies and whether you can already apply.
• Review of your immigration history and your time spent outside Mexico.
• File assembly, with review of apostilles and translations.
• Preparation for the knowledge test.
• Direct contact with the lead attorney, in English or Spanish, by video call.
• Follow-up with the SRE and defense if there is a denial, through the challenge routes available.

Fees are explained after the consultation, based on your case.

Questions about this process