How to Become a Citizen of Mexico

Co-authored by Miatrai Brown, Esq.

Last Updated: December 27, 2023 References

Want to become a Mexican citizen? The process is similar to that of other countries, with plenty of paperwork, an exam, and some waiting time while your forms are processed. Be patient, work diligently, and ask questions when you need to. Once your hard work pays off, you'll officially be a Mexican citizen.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Determining Your Eligibility for Naturalization

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If you were born in Mexico, you're automatically considered a Mexican citizen. The citizenship process is typically taken care of during a child's first year, but can also be completed after that, as long as you have the proper documentation.^{[1]
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2
Be a permanent resident of Mexico for 5 years if you were born in a foreign country. Foreigners can become Mexican citizens if they receive permanent residence and maintain it for 5 years. To become a permanent resident, you'll need to show that you're related to a permanent resident or Mexican citizen , that you're able to cover your expenses while living in Mexico, or that you've been granted political asylum, among other options. You'll need to start the process, which can be done online, within your first thirty days in Mexico.^{[2]
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- You won't need to renew your permanent residence once you've received it.
Tip: You can also receive permanent residence if you've been a temporary resident for 4 consecutive years.

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As in most countries, if you marry a Mexican citizen, you can become a naturalized citizen of Mexico as well. You'll also need to show that you're a temporary or permanent resident for at least 2 years before you start your application.^{[3]
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Prove your origin from a Latin American or Iberian country. If you're a citizen of a Latin American country or a country in the Iberian Peninsula, you can receive citizenship after living in Mexico for 2 years as a permanent or temporary resident. You'll need to prove that you're from that country by providing your birth certificate and passport, as well as other documents.^{[4]
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- Latin American countries include most of Central and South America. Countries on the Iberian Peninsula include Spain and Portugal.
5
Show that your parents are Mexican to naturalize by descent. If your parents are Mexican citizens but you were born outside of the country, you'll still be considered a naturalized Mexican citizen. This extends to children adopted by Mexican parents as well.^{[5]
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- You'll need to have lived for 1 year in Mexico as either a temporary or permanent resident.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Gaining Citizenship

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1
Fill out the DNN-3 form. No matter what form of eligibility you're using, you'll need to download the DNN-3 form online and fill it out completely. You'll need to provide personal information, giving details about where you live, any property you own, and your family, among other things. Remember to fill in the form in Spanish!^{[6]
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- You can fill in the form on the computer or print it out and answer the questions by hand with black ink.
- Download the form here: http://sre.gob.mx/images/stories/docnatnacio/dnn3.pdf and bring 2 copies of it to your appointment.
2
Bring your residency card, birth certificate, and passport. To become a naturalized citizen of Mexico, no matter what eligibility you use, you'll need to show several government documents verifying your identity and residency. Make sure you have your residency card, your foreign birth certificate, and your foreign passport. You should also make 2 copies of each to bring in as well.^{[7]
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- There's a possibility that the government will keep your original forms for their records, so make an extra third copy of each document as well. Leave it at home when you go to complete your application.
- Make copies of every page of your passport.
3
Turn in a letter detailing your travels abroad over the last 2 years. You'll need to list all of the times you've exited and re-entered Mexico over the last 2 years. Log on to the Mexican government's citizenship website to see what this list should look like at https://sre.gob.mx/tramites-y-servicios/nacionalidad-y-naturalizacion.^{[8]
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- You'll need the original document and 2 copies of this as well.
4
Fill in a certificate showing that you don't have a criminal record. You'll need to obtain a federal and state “carta de antecedentes no penales” to prove that you have a clear criminal record. To do this, you'll need to go to your local police station in Mexico as well as the police headquarters in Mexico City. Explain what you're there for and present your birth certificate, permanent residency card, and a bill with your home address, along with a copy of each.^{[9]
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- You'll turn in the original form along with 2 copies.
5
Turn in any extra forms needed for your method of naturalization. Along with documents verifying your identity and residence, you may also need to bring in evidence of your eligibility. Review the requirements for your eligibility and bring in the extra documents as needed.^{[10]
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- Extra required forms could include a marriage certificate, parents' birth certificates, or a birth certificate from a Latin American or Iberian country.
6
Turn in your forms to the secretary of foreign affairs' office. If you're in Mexico, you'll turn in your forms at the secretary of foreign affair's office, either by email or in person—get in touch with them to see which is best. If you're outside of Mexico, turn them in at the Mexican embassy or the nearest consulate.
- Call ahead to see if you should set up an appointment or if you can just drop the forms off.
- Once you turn in your forms, the government might take a year or more to review them.
Near the end of the application process, you'll be asked to take an exam testing your knowledge of the Spanish language and Mexico's history and culture. This test contains multiple choice questions along with a reading comprehension section to test your knowledge of the language.^{[11]
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Tip: You can download a study guide for the exam from the Mexican citizenship website, near the bottom of the page at http://sre.gob.mx/carta-de-naturalizacion-por-residencia.
8
Pay a fee to finalize your application. After you've passed your test, you'll be asked to pay a fee of about 1400 pesos, which is the last step in your citizenship application. Once the papers are cleared, you'll receive notification that you're officially a Mexican citizen.^{[12]
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- The process can take a year or longer, so try to be patient! You can call to check on the status of your application at any time.

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Can you be a citizen of both Mexico and the United States?

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Yes, you can have dual nationality to both the U.S. and Mexico. If you’re a dual citizen, you’ll need a U.S. passport to enter or leave the U.S. You may also need a Mexican passport to leave or enter Mexico.

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What are the duties of a Mexican citizen?

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The obligations of Mexican citizenship include sending your children to school, reporting for any obligatory military or civil instruction, enlisting and serving in the National Guard, and paying taxes.

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Can I get citizenship through my parents?

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Yes, you can apply for citizenship if you can prove that at least one of your parents is a Mexican citizen. You don’t need to establish residency first under these circumstances.

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Tips

If you want to have dual citizenship—be a citizen of Mexico in addition to another country—check the laws in the other country first. Mexican law allows you to naturalize in another country while maintaining your Mexican citizenship, as does the U.S.

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