Nationality of Mexico: all obtaining pathways
Mexico requires five years of residence for ordinary naturalization, reduced to two for Ibero-Americans and other privileged cases, with exams on language, history and culture, and renunciation of the previous nationality. Letters for distinguished merits are exempt from residence, and descent is acquired at birth.
1Naturalization by residence (5-year general rule)
Naturalization by residence (5-year general rule)
Requirements
- Legal residence in Mexico for at least 5 years immediately before the application
- Demonstrating good moral character
- Never having been convicted of a serious offence carrying a prison term of more than 1 year
- Accrediting lawful means of subsistence
- Demonstrating knowledge of the Spanish language and of Mexican history and culture
- Filing the application with the Secretariat of Foreign Relations (SRE)
- Nationality Law, art. 20: 5 years of residence immediately prior to the application.
Documentation
- Naturalization application (SRE)
- Migration document proving 5 years' legal residence
- Letter of good conduct / no criminal record
- Proof of lawful means of subsistence
- Certificate of knowledge of Spanish and of Mexican history and culture
- Valid official identification
- Legalised or apostilled birth certificate
2Naturalization by residence (2 years, Ibero-Americans)
Naturalization by residence (2 years, Ibero-Americans)
Requirements
- Being a national of an Ibero-American country, Portugal, or of countries with which Mexico has concluded treaties
- Legal residence in Mexico for at least 2 years immediately before the application
- Demonstrating good moral character
- Never having been convicted of a serious offence carrying a prison term of more than 1 year
- Accrediting lawful means of subsistence
- Demonstrating knowledge of Spanish and of Mexican history and culture
- Filing the application with the SRE
- Nationality Law, art. 20, section I: 2 years of residence suffices for descendants of a Mexican, parents of Mexican children, nationals of a Latin American country or the Iberian Peninsula, or outstanding achievements; the Executive may waive residence in exceptional cases.
Documentation
- Naturalization application (SRE)
- Migration document proving 2 years' legal residence
- Proof of nationality of an Ibero-American country or of a treaty country
- Letter of good conduct / no criminal record
- Proof of lawful means of subsistence
- Certificate of knowledge of Spanish and of Mexican history and culture
- Valid official identification
- Legalised or apostilled birth certificate
3Letter of naturalization (for distinguished merits)
Letter of naturalization (for distinguished merits)
Requirements
- Having rendered distinguished services to the Mexican nation or contributing outstandingly to the country
- No minimum residence period is required in exceptional cases
- Demonstrating good moral character
- Accrediting lawful means of subsistence
- The SRE assesses appropriateness case by case
Documentation
- Letter-of-naturalization application (SRE)
- Documents evidencing the distinguished merits or outstanding contribution
- Letter of good conduct / no criminal record
- Proof of lawful means of subsistence
- Valid official identification
- Legalised or apostilled birth certificate
4Nationality by marriage to a Mexican citizen
Nationality by marriage to a Mexican citizen
Requirements
- Being married to a Mexican by birth or a naturalised Mexican
- Residing legally in Mexico
- Demonstrating good moral character
- Never having been convicted of a serious offence carrying a prison term of more than 1 year
- Accrediting lawful means of subsistence
- Demonstrating knowledge of Spanish and of Mexican history and culture
- Filing the application with the SRE
- No minimum residence period required
- Nationality Law, art. 20, section II: spouses of Mexicans must show residence and joint life in the marital domicile in the national territory during the 2 immediately preceding years (exception if the Mexican spouse resides abroad on assignment for the Government).
Documentation
- Naturalization-by-marriage application (SRE)
- Mexican marriage certificate
- Migration document proving legal residence
- Letter of good conduct / no criminal record
- Proof of lawful means of subsistence
- Certificate of knowledge of Spanish and of Mexican history and culture
- Mexican spouse's official identification
5Nationality by descent (birth abroad to Mexican parents)
Nationality by descent (birth abroad to Mexican parents)
Requirements
- Having been born abroad to a Mexican father or mother by birth
- The Mexican parent must register the birth at a Mexican consular office
- Mexican nationality by birth is granted (art. 30 section A, sub-para. II of the Constitution)
- Registration is possible at any time (no age limit)
Documentation
- Child's birth certificate registered at a Mexican consulate
- Mexican parent's birth certificate
- Mexican parent's official identification
- Proof of birth abroad
6Nationality by adoption
Nationality by adoption
Requirements
- Being a minor adopted by a Mexican national
- The adoption must be full under Mexican law
- They are deemed Mexican by birth (art. 30 section A, sub-para. I of the Constitution)
- The adoption must have been granted and registered
Documentation
- Judgment or act of full adoption
- Adopted child's birth certificate
- Mexican adoptive parent's official identification
- Registration of the adoption record with the Civil Registry
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Mexico
How many years of residence does Mexico require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Mexico (Naturalization by residence (5-year general rule)), the term is 5 years. The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Can the nationality of Mexico be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Nationality by marriage to a Mexican citizen pathway (2 years of residence and joint life in the marital home in Mexico (Nationality Law, art. 20, section II)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Mexico require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Naturalization application (SRE); Migration document proving 5 years' legal residence; Letter of good conduct / no criminal record; Proof of lawful means of subsistence; Certificate of knowledge of Spanish and of Mexican history and culture; among 2 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Mexico?
Mexico provides 6 pathways: Naturalization by residence, Naturalization by residence, Letter of naturalization, Nationality by marriage to a Mexican citizen, Nationality by descent, Nationality by adoption.
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