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Email | Mexico Reciprocity Schedule |
| Visa Classification | Fee | Number of Applications | Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months [A] |
| A-2 | None | Multiple | 24 Months [A] |
| A-3 [1] | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| B-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| B-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| B-1/B-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| BBBCC | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| C-1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| C-1/D | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| C-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| C-3 | None | One | 3 Months |
| D | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| E-1 [2] | $100.00 | Multiple | 12 Months [B] |
| E-2 [2] | $100.00 | Multiple | 12 Months [B] |
| F-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| F-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| F-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| G-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| G-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| G-3 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| G-4 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| G-5 [1] | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| H-1B | $100.00 | Multiple | 12 Months [3] [B] |
| H-1C | $100.00 | Multiple | 12 Months [3] [B] |
| H-2A | $100.00 | Multiple | 12 Months [3] [B] |
| H-2B | $100.00 | Multiple | 12 Months [3] [B] |
| H-2R | $100.00 | Multiple | 12 Months [3] [B] |
| H-3 | $100.00 | Multiple | 12 Months [3] [B] |
| H-4 | $100.00 | Multiple | 12 Months [3] [B] |
| I | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| J-1 [4] | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| J-2 [4] | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| K-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-1 | $100.00 | Multiple | 12 Months [3] [B] |
| L-2 | $100.00 | Multiple | 12 Months [3] [B] |
| M-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| M-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| M-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| N-8 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| N-9 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| NATO 1-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| O-1 | $100.00 | One [C] | 6 Months [3] |
| O-2 | $100.00 | One [C] | 6 Months [3] |
| O-3 | $100.00 | One [C] | 6 Months [3] |
| P-1 | $100.00 | One [C] | 6 Months [3] |
| P-2 | $100.00 | One [C] | 6 Months [3] |
| P-3 | $100.00 | One [C] | 6 Months [3] |
| P-4 | $100.00 | One [C] | 6 Months [3] |
| Q-1 [6] | $100.00 | One [C] | 6 Months [3] |
| R-1 | $100.00 | Multiple | 12 Months |
| R-2 | $100.00 | Multiple | 12 Months |
| S-5 [7] | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-6 [7] | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-7 [7] | None | One | 1 Month |
| T-1 [9] | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| T-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-4 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-5 | None | One | 6 Months |
| TD [5] | $100.00 | Multiple | 12 Months [B] |
| TN | $100.00 | Multiple | 12 Months [B] |
| V-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| V-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months [8] |
| V-3 | None | Multiple | 120 Months [8] |
Documents
In the Republic of Mexico the maintenance of public records and the issuance of certificates fall within the jurisdiction of the 31 States and the Federal District (Distrito Federal), which comprise the Republic. An exception applies to military certificates, which are issued by the Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional (Ministry of National Defense) or by the Secretaria de Marina (Ministry of the Navy.)
The rules and regulations regarding the maintenance of public records and the issuance of certificates in the 31 states are similar, with slight modifications to those prevailing in the Federal District. Non-residents are strongly urged to use the Spanish language in their correspondence with Mexican authorities. In order to avoid undue delay, they may also find it advisable, if feasible, to enlist the aid of a resident of Mexico to secure a copy of a public record.
Records of birth, marriages, deaths and divorces are normally recorded in the State Capitals and are available from the Central Archives of the States. In order to minimize the possibility of fraud, applicants should obtain their documents from the Central Archives. If the applicant cannot obtain a document from the Central Mexico Archives (i.e., because of destruction or because the books from certain towns were not forwarded to the Central Archives) a certificate of non-existence giving the reasons why the document is unavailable may be obtained from the Central Archives and presented along with the civil record from the municipality. Please note that all records of births, marriages and deaths contained in the archives of the State of Zacatecas were destroyed in a fire on November 26, 1975. The State archives are a depository for duplicate copies of documents made at the local registrar in the town, city or municipality in which the event occurred. In those rare cases where such records are not available, church copies of baptismal and burial certificates are acceptable. Church marriage certificates are not normally acceptable, as they have no validity in Mexico without a civil ceremony. Frequently a couple will marry in church without the benefit of a civil ceremony.
Birth Certificates
Available. Birth Certificates (acta de nacimiento) are generally available since 1870, although in many municipalities the records prior to 1915 have been partially or totally destroyed. A letter may be obtained certifying that no record is available, except in the Federal District where civil registry officials decline to issue such negative statements to individuals. Birth certificates are issued by the appropriate Official del Registro Civil (official of the Civil Registry), and, in the Federal District, by the Jefe de la Oficina del Registro Civil del Distrito Federal (Chief of the Office of the Federal District) in whose archives are consolidated the records of subordinate civil registries of the Federal District. A charge may be made for searching the records.
Civil registries receive delayed birth registrations, based upon the testimony of witnesses. If of recent date, and especially if long delayed, these may be open to question. Baptismal certificates (fe de bautismo) issued by religious authorities are not considered by the Mexican government to be official documents. In cases in which the delay of a birth record raises serious questions regarding identity, however, baptism certificates may be offered as secondary evidence. The most reliable baptism record is a photocopy of the entire page of the baptism book issued under the seal of the parish where the baptism in question is recorded.
Marriage and Death Certificates
Available. Marriage and death certificates (acta de matrimonio; acta de fallencimiento) may be obtained from the same source as birth certificates.
Divorce Certificates
Available. The divorce certificates (certificado de divorcio) are issued by the Juzgado de lo Civil (Civil Court) where the divorce was granted. In most states and the Federal District, divorce certificates will not be issued to a third person, which requires direct communication by one of the parties to the action, or that a power of attorney be issued to a representative.
Police Records
Unavailable.
Prison Records
Available. Persons who have been incarcerated may obtain records from the Laboratorio de Criminalistica e Identificacion, Jefatura de la Policia (Laboratory of Criminology and Identification, Police Headquarters) in Mexico City, or from the Presidente Municipal (Municipal President) or Delegacion de Policia (Police Headquarters) of the area of residence.
Official documents are usually typed on stationery bearing a round seal containing the Mexican coat of arms. The stationery also bears a similar rubber stamp seal, with the coat of arms of Mexico, and reflects the name of the issuing office. This special stationery, frequently referred to as "tax paper", invariably bears either a fee stamp or a printed statement of the cost of the blank form. The cost of the prison record depends upon the number of sheets of tax paper utilized and the variable cost of investigation entailed in the issuance of the record.
Military Records
Available. Military identity cards (cartilla militar) may be accepted in lieu of a record from the Ministry of Defense, or of the Navy. However, in the case of individuals who have served, or are serving in a career status, military records may be obtained from the Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional (Ministry of National Defense) or from the Secretaria de Marina (Ministry of the Navy) in Mexico City. Certificates cannot be issued to the 1924 to 1929 classes of the National Military Service. Members of these classes, whose military identity cards contain the notation "pase a la reserva" and the required renewal stamp, are considered to have fulfilled their military requirements. Members Certificates for the classes from 1930 to 1939 are available.
Passport and Other Travel Documents
The only travel documents issued by Mexican authorities that are considered acceptable for U.S. visa issuance are Mexican federally issued passports. Mexican state government issued provisional passports and FM-13's (documents issued to persons living in the border region and used in application for Immigration and Naturalization Service border crossing cards) are considered unacceptable travel documents for U.S. visa issuance.
Special Clearance and Issuance Procedures
None.
Visa Issuing Posts
Mexico D.F. (Embassy)
| Post | State | Visa Categories |
|---|---|---|
| Ciudad Juarez (Consulate General) | Chihuahua | All Categories |
| Guadalajara (Consulate General) | Jalisco | NIV only |
| Hermosillo (Consulate) | Sonora | NIV only |
| Matamoros (Consulate) | Yucatan | NIV only |
| Mexico, D.F. (Embassy) | Mexico | NIV only |
| Monterrey (Consulate General) | Nuevo Leon | NIV only |
| Tijuana (Consulate General) | Baja California Norte | NIV only |
Visa Services
Immigrant visas for nationals of Mexico are processed by the embassy in Mexico City. Nonimmigrant visas are available as described in the table below.
| State | NIV Issuing Post |
|---|---|
| Aguascalientes | Guadalajara |
| Baja California Norte | Tijuana |
| Baja California Sur | Tijuana |
| Campeche | Merida |
| Chiapas | Mexico City |
| Chihuahua | Ciudad Juarez |
| Coahuila de Zaragoza | Monterrey,Nuevo Laredo |
| Colima | Guadalajara |
| Distrito Federal | Mexico City |
| Durango | Monterrey or Ciudad Juarez |
| Guanajuato | Mexico City |
| Guerrero | Mexico City |
| Hidalgo | Mexico City |
| Islas Marias (Federal Territory) | Guadalajara |
| Jalisco | Guadalajara |
| Mexico | Mexico City |
| Michoacan de Ocampo | Mexico City |
| Morelos | Mexico City |
| Nayarit | Guadalajara |
| Nuevo Leon | Monterrey or Nuevo Laredo. |
| Oaxaca | Mexico City |
| Puebla | Mexico City |
| Queretaro de Arteaga | Mexico City |
| Quintana Roo | Merida |
| San Luis Potosi | Monterrey or Mexico City |
| Sinaloa | Hermosillo |
| Sonora | Hermosillo, Nogales, Mexicali (temporary processing facility) |
| Tabasco | Mexico City or Merida |
| Tamaulipas | 1) Mexico City 2) Nuevo Laredo 3) Matamoros 4) Monterrey |
| Tlaxcala | Mexico City |
| Veracruz-Llave | Mexico City |
| Yucatan | Merida |
| Zacatecas | Monterrey or Guadalajara |
Country Specific Footnotes
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For exception to visa requirements for holders of Mexican diplomatic and official passports, see 22 CFR 41.2(g)(4).
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Employment-based visas may be issued validity periods exceeding 12 months at the rate of $100.00 per each additional year. {For example: H-1B:Multiple entry, 24 Months, $200.00} The validity of a visa, however, cannot exceed the validity period of the petition. For TD and TN categories, the maximum validity is 36 months.
Employment-based visas may be issued for 12 months to 60 months for E categories at the rate of $100 per each additional year (12 month increment), for up to a total of 60 months or $500.
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$125.00 for multiple entries.
