Exercise increased caution in Mexico due to crime. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Violent crime, such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is widespread.
The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico as U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel to these areas.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from intercity travel after dark in many areas of Mexico. U.S. government employees are also not permitted to drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico with the exception of daytime travel on Highway 15 between Nogales and Hermosillo.
Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.
Do not travel to:
For all other states in Mexico, please see detailed information below.
If you decide to travel to Mexico:
Aguascalientes state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling between cities at night. Additionally, U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in Aguascalientes.
Baja California state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Criminal activity and violence, including homicide, remain an issue throughout the state. According to the Baja California State Secretariat for Public Security, the state experienced an increase in homicide rates compared to the same period in 2016. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted, criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Bystanders have been injured or killed in shooting incidents.
Due to poor cellular service and hazardous road conditions, U.S. government employees are only permitted to travel on “La Rumorosa” between Mexicali and Tijuana on the toll road during daylight.
There are no U.S. government restrictions in tourist areas in Baja California, which includes: Ensenada, Rosarito, and Tijuana.
Baja California Sur state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Criminal activity and violence, including homicide, remain an issue throughout the state. According to Government of Mexico statistics, the state experienced an increase in homicide rates compared to the same period in 2016. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted, criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Bystanders have been injured or killed in shooting incidents.
There are no U.S. government restrictions for travel in Baja California Sur, which includes the tourist areas of Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, and La Paz.
Campeche state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution. Police presence and emergency response are extremely limited outside of the state capital.
There are no travel restrictions on U.S. government employees.
Chiapas state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
U.S. government employees are encouraged to remain in tourist areas and are not permitted to use public transportation. U.S. government employees are permitted to drive during daylight only.
There are no restrictions on U.S. government employees in tourist areas in Chiapas state, such as: Palenque, San Cristobal de las Casas, and Tuxtla Gutierrez.
Chihuahua state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are widespread.
Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions:
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Coahuila state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime is widespread. Local law enforcement has limited capability to prevent and respond to crime, particularly in the northern part of the state.
U.S. government employees are not permitted to travel in Coahuila state, with the exception of Saltillo, Bosques de Monterreal, and Parras de la Fuente. U.S. government employees can only travel to those cities using the most direct routes and maximizing the use of toll highways. Between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., U.S. government employees must remain within Saltillo, Bosques de Monterreal, or Parras de la Fuente.
U.S. government employees are permitted to travel to Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuna but they must travel to these cities from the United States only.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in Coahuila.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Colima state – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Do not travel due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are widespread.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel to Tecoman or within 12 miles of the Colima-Michoacán border and on Route 110 between La Tecomaca and the Jalisco border.
There are no restrictions on U.S. government employees travel along Route 200 from the Jalisco border to Manzanillo, including the Manzanillo airport. There are no restrictions on U.S. government employees for stays in Manzanillo from Marina Puerto Santiago to Playa las Brisas.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in Colima.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Durango state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity along the highways are common.
U.S. government employees may travel outside the city of Durango only during daylight on toll roads. Between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., U.S. government employees must remain within Durango city.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in Durango.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Estado de Mexico state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime is common in parts of Estado de Mexico.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel to the following municipalities, unless they are traveling directly through the municipalities on major thoroughfares:
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel on any roads between Morelos, Huitzilac, and Santa Martha, Estado de Mexico, including the Lagunas de Zempoala National Park and surrounding areas.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Guanajuato state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
There are no travel restrictions on U.S. government employees.
Guerrero state – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Do not travel due to crime. Armed groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. Members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and may use violence towards travelers.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel to the entire state of Guerrero, including Acapulco.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Hidalgo state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
There are no travel restrictions on U.S. government employees.
Jalisco state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Jalisco state.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel to areas bordering Michoacán and Zacatecas states. U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling between cities after dark and from using Highway 80 between Cocula and La Huerta.
U.S. government employees may use federal toll road 15D for travel to Mexico City. However, they may not stop in the towns of La Barca or Ocotlan for any reason.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in Jalisco.
There are no restrictions on U.S. government employees for stays in the following tourist areas in Jalisco state: Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Ajijic.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Mexico City – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
There are no travel restrictions on U.S. government employees.
Michoacán state – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Do not travel due to crime. U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel in Michoacán state, with the exception of Morelia and Lazaro Cardenas cities and the area north of federal toll road 15D.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel by land, except on federal toll road 15D.
U.S. government employees may fly into Morelia and Lazaro Cardenas.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Morelos state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Morelos state.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel on any roads from Huitzilac to Santa Martha, Estado de Mexico, including Lagunas de Zempoala National Park and surrounding areas.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Nayarit state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Nayarit state.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel in most areas of the state, with the following exceptions:
When traveling to permitted areas above, U.S. government employees must use major highways and cannot travel between cities after dark.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in Nayarit.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Nuevo Leon state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Nuevo Leon state.
U.S. government employees may travel outside Monterrey only during daylight on toll roads, with the exception of travel to the Monterrey airport, which is permitted at any time.
U.S. government employees must remain within San Pedro Garza Garcia or Santa Catarina (south of the Santa Catarina river) municipalities between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in Nuevo Leon.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Oaxaca state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
In Oaxaca, U.S. government employees are encouraged to remain in tourist areas and are not permitted to use public transportation.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel on Highway 200 throughout the state, except to transit between the airport in Huatulco to hotels in Puerto Escondido and Huatulco.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel to the El Istmo region. The El Istmo region is defined by Highway 185D to the west, Highway 190 to the north, and the Oaxaca/Chiapas border to the east and includes the towns of Juchitan de Zaragoza, Salina Cruz, and San Blas.
Puebla state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
There are no travel restrictions on U.S. government employees.
Queretaro state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
There are no travel restrictions on U.S. government employees.
Quintana Roo state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
According to Government of Mexico statistics, the state experienced an increase in homicide rates compared to the same period in 2016. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted, criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Shooting incidents injuring or killing bystanders have occurred.
There are no restrictions on U.S. government employees for travel in Quintana Roo state, which includes tourist areas such as: Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the Riviera Maya.
San Luis Potosi state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of San Luis Potosi state.
U.S. government employees may travel outside San Luis Potosi city only during daylight hours on toll roads. U.S. government employees must remain within San Luis Potosi city between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in San Luis Potosi.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Sinaloa state – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Do not travel due to crime. Violent crime is widespread. Criminal organizations are based and operating in Sinaloa state.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel in most areas of the state. In areas where travel is permitted, the following restrictions are in place:
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Sonora state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Sonora is a key location utilized by the international drug trade and human trafficking networks. However, northern Sonora experiences much lower levels of crime than cities closer to Sinaloa and other parts of Mexico. U.S. government employees visiting Puerto Peñasco must use the Lukeville/Sonoyta crossing, and they are required to travel during daylight hours on main roads.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel to:
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Tabasco state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
There are no travel restrictions on U.S. government employees.
Tamaulipas state – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Do not travel due to crime. Violent crime, such as murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, extortion, and sexual assault, is common. Gang activity, including gun battles, is widespread. Armed criminal groups target public and private passenger buses traveling through Tamaulipas, often taking passengers hostage and demanding ransom payments. Local law enforcement has limited capability to respond to violence in many parts of the state.
U.S. government employees are subject to movement restrictions and a curfew between midnight and 6 a.m.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in Tamaulipas.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Tlaxcala state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
There are no travel restrictions on U.S. government employees.
Veracruz state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime.
U.S. government employees are encouraged to remain in tourist areas and are not permitted to use public transportation. U.S. government employees are permitted to drive during daylight only.
Yucatan state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution. Police presence and emergency response are extremely limited outside of the state capital.
There are no restrictions on U.S. government employees for travel in Yucatan state, which includes tourist areas such as: Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid.
Zacatecas state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Zacatecas state.
U.S. government employees may travel outside Zacatecas city only during daylight hours on toll roads. U.S. government employees must remain within Zacatecas city between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in Zacatecas.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Passport must be valid at time of entry
1 page per stamp
Yes, if visiting more than 180 days
None
$10,000
$10,000
List of Consulates / Consular Agencies
(Also available at: https://mx.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/)
U.S. Embassy Mexico City
Paseo de la Reforma 305
Colonia Cuauhtemoc
06500 Mexico, D.F.
Telephone: 011-52-55-5080-2000
Emergency Telephone: 01-55-5080-2000, extension 0
Fax: 011-52-55-5080-2201
acsmexicocity@state.gov
Facebook , Twitter
U.S. Consulate General Ciudad Juarez
Paseo de la Victoria #3650
Fracc. Partido Senecú
Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico
Telephone: (011) (52) (656) 227-3000
Emergency Telephone: (01) (656) 227-3000 (within Mexico) / 227-3000 (within Ciudad Juarez) / 011- 52 (656) 227-3000 (from U.S.)
Email: CDJSCS@state.gov
Facebook , Twitter
U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara
Progreso 175
Col. Americana
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Telephone: (01-33 ) 3268-2100 (from Mexico) / 011-52-33-3268-2100 (from U.S.)
Emergency Telephone: (01-33) 3268-2145 (from Mexico) / 011-52-33-3268-2145 (from U.S)
Fax: (01-33 ) 3826-6549 (from Mexico) / 011-52-33-3826-6549 (from U.S.)
acsgdl@state.gov
Facebook , Twitter
U.S. Consulate General Hermosillo
Monterrey #141 entre las calles
Rosales y Galeana
Col. Esqueda, C.P. 83000
Hermosillo, Sonora, México
Telephone: 01-662-289-3500 (from Mexico) / 011-52-662-289-3500 (from U.S.)
Emergency Telephone: 044-662-256-0741 (local calls) / 045-662-256-0741 (within Mexico) / +52-1-662-256-0741 (international)
hermoacs@state.gov
Facebook
U.S. Consulate General Matamoros
Calle Primera #2002
Colonia Jardín
Matamoros, Tamaulipas
México 87330
Telephone: 011-52-(868)-812-4402
Emergency Telephone: (01) (868) 812 44 02 (within Mexico) / 812 44 02 (within Matamoros) / 011-52-868 812 44 02 (from U.S.)
Fax: 52 868 816- 08 83 (within Mexico) / 816-08-83 (within Matamoros) / 011-52-868 816 08 83 (from U.S.)
MatamorosUSCitizens@state.gov
Facebook , Twitter
U.S. Consulate General Merida
Calle 60 No. 338-K x 29 y 31
Col. Alcala Martin
Merida, Yucatan, Mexico 97050
Telephone: From the U.S. 011-52-999-942-5700 / within Mexico 01-999-942-5700 / within Merida 942-5700
Emergency Telephone: 011-52-999-942-5700 (from the U.S.) / 01-999-942-5700 (within Mexico) / 942-5700 (within Merida)
Fax: 011-52-999-942-5758 (from the U.S.)
Email: AskMeridaACS@state.gov
The Consulate in Merida provides consular services for the three Mexican states of Yucatan, Quintana Roo and Campeche.
U.S. Consulate General Monterrey
Ave. Constitución 411 Pte.
Monterrey, Nuevo León. México 64000
Telephone: (81) 8047-3100
Emergency Telephone: (81)8362-9126 (from Mexico) / 011-52-1-81-8362-9126 (from the U.S.)
Fax: (81) 8342-5433
MonterreyACS@state.gov
Facebook , Twitter
U.S. Consulate General Nogales
Calle San José s/n
Fraccionamiento los Alamos
C. P. 84065 Nogales, Sonora.
Mexico
Telephone: (52)-(631)-311-8150
Emergency Telephone: (521)-(631)-318-0723
Fax: (52)-(631)-313-4652
nogalesACS@state.gov
Facebook
U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo
Calle Allende 3330, Col. Jardin
Nuevo Laredo, Mexico
Telephone: From Mexico: (867) 714-0512, ext. 3128 (If calling from the U.S., dial 01152 before the number)
Emergency Telephone: 01-55-5080-2000 ext. 0
Fax: (867) 714-0512, ext. 3197 (from Mexico) / 011-52-867-714-0512, ext. 3197 (from U.S.)
NuevoLaredo-ACS@state.gov
U.S. Consulate Tijuana
Paseo de las Culturas s/n
Mesa de Otay
Delegación Centenario C.P. 22425
Tijuana, Baja California
Mexico
Telephone: (664) 977-2000 (Dialing from the U.S. 011-52 + phone number)
Emergency Telephone: 001 (619) 692-2154 (from Mexico) / (619) 692-2154 (from the U.S.)
ACSTijuana@state.gov
Facebook
Consular Agencies
(Also available at: https://mx.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/consular-agencies/)
U.S. Consular Agent - Acapulco
Hotel Continental Emporio
Costera M. Alemán 121 - Office 14
Acapulco, Gro. 39670
Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(744) 481-0100 or (011)(52)(744) 484-0300
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.
Fax: (52) (744) 484-0300
Monday – Friday: 9:00a.m. – 2:00p.m.
U.S. Consular Agent - Los Cabos
Las Tiendas de Palmilla L-B221
Km. 27.5 Carretera Transpeninsular
San José del Cabo, B.C.S. 23406
Mexico
Telephone: (624) 143-3566
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana.
Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
U.S. Consular Agent - Cancun
Blvd. Kukulcan Km 13 ZH
Torre La Europea, Despacho 301
Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(999) 942-5700
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Merida.
Fax: (998) 883-1373
Email: ConAgencyCancun@state.gov
The U.S. Consular Agency in Cancun is open for business Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. An appointment is required for all services.
U.S. Consular Agent - Cozumel
Telephone: (011)(52)(999) 942 5700
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Merida.
A U.S. Consular Agent serves on the island of Cozumel for non-routine emergency services only.
U.S. Consular Agent - Mazatlán
Playa Gaviotas No. 202
Zona Dorada
Mazatlán, Sinaloa 82110
Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(818) 047-3145
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Hermosillo.
General Business hours: Monday thru Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
ConAgencyMazatlan@state.gov
U.S. Consular Agent - Oaxaca
Macedonio Alcala No. 407, Office 20
Oaxaca, Oax. 68000
Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(951)514-3054 or (011)(52)(951) 516-2853
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.
Fax: (52) (951) 516-2701
Monday – Thursday: 10:00a.m. – 3:00p.m.
U.S. Consular Agent - Piedras Negras
Abasolo #211, Local #3
Centro
26000 Piedras Negras, Coahuila
Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(878) 782-5586 or (011)(52)(878) 782-8664
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Nuevo Laredo.
Fax: (52) (878) 782-8707
Monday– Friday: 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
E-mail: NuevoLaredo-ACS@state.gov
U.S. Consular Agent - Playa del Carmen
(An extension of the Consulate in Merida)
Plaza Progreso, Local 33
Carretera Federal Puerto Juarez-Chetumal, Mz. 293 Lt. 1.
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo C.P. 77710
Phone: (52)(999) 942-5700
E-mail: ConAgencyPlayadelC@state.gov
The U.S. Consular Agency in Playa del Carmen is open for business Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. An appointment is required for all services.
U.S. Consular Agent - Puerto Vallarta
Paseo de Los Cocoteros 85 Sur
Paradise Plaza - Local L-7
Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit C.P
Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(322) 222-0069
U.S. Consular Agent - San Miguel de Allende
Dr. Hernandez Macías No. 72
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(81) 8047-3145
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.
Fax: (52) (415) 152-1588
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
ConAgencySanMiguel@state.gov
See the State Department’s Fact Sheet on Mexico for more information on U.S.-Mexico relations.
Visit the Mexican National Institute of Migration’s (Instituto Nacional de Migración, INM) website (Spanish only) or the Embassy of Mexico in Washington, D.C. for the most current entry, exit, and visa requirements.
If you enter by land and plan to travel further than 25 kilometers into Mexico, you must stop at an INM office at the port of entry to obtain an entry permit (Forma Migratoria Multiple - FMM), even if not explicitly directed to do so by Mexican officials. You will likely be asked to present this form at immigration checkpoints on your route of travel. You must present a valid passport in order to receive the entry permit. For more information, visit the INM website (Spanish only). If you enter by sea, review the Mexican boating permit requirements prior to travel or contact the Embassy of Mexico in Washington, D.C., for more information.
U.S. citizens should be aware that Mexican law permits Mexican immigration authorities to deny foreigners entry into Mexico if they have been charged with or convicted of a serious crime in Mexico or elsewhere.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents in Mexico.
INM requires a notarized consent document from one parent/legal guardian for all minors departing Mexico with only one parent. INM requires at least one parent complete a SAM (Formato de Salida de Menores) for all minors departing Mexico with a third party. Travelers should contact the Mexican Embassy in Washington, D.C., the nearest Mexican consulate, or INM for more information.
Information about dual nationality, or prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.
Travelers are urged to review the Mexico Travel Warning, which provides updated information about safety and security concerns affecting the country on a state-by-state basis.
U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Mexico should not expect to be protected by public health and safety standards similar to those in the United States. Even where such standards exist, enforcement may vary by location. Instead, travelers should mitigate risk of illness or injury by taking standard health and safety precautions.
The phone number to report emergencies in Mexico is “911”: Although there may be English-speaking operators available, it is best to seek the assistance of a Spanish speaker to place the call.
Crime: Crime in Mexico occurs at a high rate and can be violent. Street crime, ranging from pick-pocketing to armed robbery, carjackings, kidnapping, and extortion are serious problems in most major cities. Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see high levels of violence and crime, though there are exceptions. See our Mexico Travel Warning for exceptions.
See the Department of State and FBI pages for information on scams.
Credit/Debit Card “Skimming”: There have been instances of fraudulent charges or withdrawals from accounts due to “skimmed” cards. If you choose to use credit or debit cards, you should regularly check your account to ensure there are no unauthorized transactions. Whenever possible, travelers should watch service workers swipe their credit cards.
Victims of Crime: U.S. citizen victims of crime should contact the local authorities to file a Mexican police report before departing Mexico. In most instances, reports are filed formally with criminal investigators (Ministerio Público) and not police first responders. U.S. citizens should also inform the U.S. Embassy or the nearest consulate or consular agency. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.
See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.
We can:
Alcohol: There have been allegations that consumption of unregulated alcohol has resulted in illness or blacking out. If you choose to drink alcohol, it is important to do so in moderation and to stop and seek medical attention if you begin to feel ill. The Mexican Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS) is responsible for investigating reports of unregulated alcohol and has the authority to inspect hotels, restaurants, or other establishments for health violations, including concerns about alcohol. Please email COFEPRIS at contactociudadano@cofepris.gob.mx with any questions. Additionally, you should notify the American Citizen Services unit at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City or the nearest U.S. Consulate, or you may contact the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747.
Demonstrations: Demonstrations are common in all parts of Mexico. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. Protesters in Mexico may block traffic on roads, including major thoroughfares, or take control of toll booths on highways. U.S. citizens are urged to avoid demonstration areas and to exercise caution if near any protests. Travelers who encounter protesters demanding unofficial tolls are generally allowed to pass upon payment. U.S. citizens should avoid participating in demonstrations and other activities that might be deemed political by authorities, as Mexican law prohibits political activities by foreigners and such actions may result in detention and/or deportation.
Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy or Consulates for assistance.
Sexual Assault: Rape and sexual assault are serious problems in some resort areas. Many of these incidents occur at night or during the early morning hours, in hotel rooms, on deserted beaches, and may follow the drugging of drinks. Pay attention to your surroundings. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation and to stop and seek medical attention if you begin to feel ill.
Drug Smuggling: Mexican criminal organizations are engaged in a violent struggle to control trafficking routes. Criminal organizations have targeted unsuspecting individuals who regularly cross the border as a way to smuggle drugs to the United States. Frequent border crossers are advised to vary their routes and travel times, and to closely monitor their vehicles to avoid being targeted.
For further information:
Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.
Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.
Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. consulate immediately. The Mexican government is required by international law to contact the U.S. Embassy or consulate promptly when a U.S. citizen is arrested, if the arrestee so requests. This requirement does not apply to dual nationals. See our webpage for further information.
Firearms and Other Weapons: Weapon laws in Mexico vary by state, but it is generally illegal for travelers to carry firearms, knives, daggers, brass knuckles, ammunition (even used shells), or weapons of any kind. Illegal firearms trafficking from the United States to Mexico is a major problem, and the Department of State warns all U.S. citizens against taking any firearm or ammunition into Mexico. If you are caught entering Mexico with firearms or ammunitions, you will be imprisoned. Visit the Department’s Traveling Abroad with Firearms webpage, the Mexican Secretary of Defense page (Spanish only), and the Mexican Customs page (Spanish only) for further information. For additional information about importing hunting weapons or ammunition into Mexico, contact ANGADI (Asociación Nacional de Ganaderos Diversificados Criadores de Fauna, Spanish only) at info@angadi.org.mx. For more information on firearms and ammunition issues in English, contact the Embassy of Mexico in Washington, D.C.
Vessels entering Mexican waters with firearms or ammunition on board must have a permit previously issued by a Mexican embassy or consulate.
Surrogacy: Although surrogacy agencies/clinics claim surrogacy is legal in Mexico and actively promote Mexico as a destination for international commercial surrogacy, there is no legal framework for foreigners or same-sex couples to pursue surrogacy in Mexico. As a result, surrogacy agreements between foreign or same-sex intending parents and gestational mothers are not enforced by Mexican courts.
If you decide to pursue parenthood in Mexico via assisted reproductive technology (ART) with a gestational mother, be prepared for long and unexpected delays in documenting your child’s citizenship. Make sure you understand Mexican law, which recognizes the gestational mother as the child’s legal parent with full parental rights and mandates that the gestational mother be listed on the Mexican state-issued birth certificate. Be aware that individuals who attempt to circumvent local law risk criminal prosecution. Mexican authorities have made arrests stemming from surrogacy cases.
Real Estate and Time Shares: U.S. citizens should exercise caution when considering time-share investments or purchasing real estate and be aware of the aggressive tactics used by some sales representatives. Mexican law allows time-share purchasers five days to cancel the contract for unconditional and full reimbursement. U.S. citizens should consult with a Mexican attorney before undertaking a real estate purchase or time-share investment to learn about important regulations and law that govern real estate property. For more information, visit the Federal Attorney’s Office of Consumer website.
Drugs and Prescription Medications: Carrying any form of marijuana into Mexico, even if it is accompanied by a prescription or medical marijuana license, is a Mexican federal offense and considered as international drug trafficking. Offenders can expect large fines and/or jail sentences of up to 25 years.
For a list of controlled substances in Mexico, visit the Federal Commission for the Protection Against Sanitary Risk website (Spanish only) and the Mexican Drug Schedule list (Spanish only). U.S. citizens are advised to carry a copy of your prescription or doctor’s letter, but it is still possible that you may be subject to arrest for arriving to Mexico with substances on these lists. Note that medicines considered “over the counter” in the United States may be a controlled substance in Mexico. For example, pseudoephedrine, the active ingredient in Sudafed, is considered a controlled substance in Mexico. For more information, contact the Mexican Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Importing Medicines into Mexico: Visit the Mexican Health Department website (Spanish only) or contact the Mexican Embassy in Washington, D.C., for more information about obtaining a permit to import medicine into Mexico.
Mountain Climbing and Hiking: The Mexican government has declared the area around the Popocatepetl and the Colima volcanoes off limits. In remote rural areas, there can be limited cell phone coverage and internet connectivity.
Storm Season: Tropical storms in the Gulf of Mexico or along the Caribbean and Pacific Coast between May and November can produce heavy winds and rain. Please visit our Hurricane Season webpage for more information.
Potential for Natural Disasters: Mexico is in an active earthquake zone. Tsunamis may occur following significant earthquakes. For information concerning disasters, see:
Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.
Resort Areas and Spring Break: Millions of U.S. citizens visit Mexican beach resorts each year, especially during “spring break” season. The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18.
Warning flags on beaches should be taken seriously. If black or red warning flags are up, do not enter the water. U.S. citizens have drowned or disappeared at Mexican beaches and are advised not to swim alone.
Boats used for excursions sometimes lack adequate life jackets, radios, and tools to make repairs, and may not be covered by accident insurance.
LGBTI Travelers: U.S. citizens should exercise discretion in identifying themselves publicly as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Intersex (LGBTI). See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of the Department of State’s Human Rights report for further details.
Persons with Mobility Issues: U.S. citizens with disabilities should consult individual hotels and facilities in advance of travel to ensure they are accessible. Mexican law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, and mental disabilities in employment, education, air travel, and other transportation, access to health care, and the provision of other services. Please visit our Traveling with Disabilities webpage for more information.
Faith-Based Travelers: See the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report and Faith-Based Travel Information.
Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers.
Excellent health facilities are available in Mexico City and other major cities, but training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards. Mexican facilities often require payment “up front” prior to performing a procedure. Hospitals in Mexico do not accept U.S. health insurance or Medicare/Medicaid. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. You should consider supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. A list of doctors and hospitals is available on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website.
U.S. citizens have lodged a large number of complaints about unethical business practices, prices, and collection measures against some of the private hospitals in Cancun, the Maya Riviera, and Cabo San Lucas. Travelers should make efforts to obtain complete information on billing, pricing, and proposed medical procedures before agreeing to any medical care in these locations. Be aware that some resorts have exclusive agreements with medical providers, which may limit your choices in seeking emergency medical attention.
The U.S. Government does not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.
Water Quality: In many areas in Mexico, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water.
Altitude: Many cities in Mexico, such as Mexico City, are at high altitude, which can lead to altitude illness. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Altitude Illness.
The following diseases are prevalent:
Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For further health information, go to:
U.S. driver’s licenses are valid in Mexico. Mexican law requires that only owners drive their vehicles, or that the owner be inside the vehicle. Mexican insurance is required for all vehicles, including rental vehicles. Mexican liability insurance is recommended in the event of a vehicle accident. Driving under the influence of alcohol, using a mobile device while driving, and driving through a yellow light are all illegal in Mexico.
If you drive your vehicle into Mexico 20-25 km south of the border (the area varies in the state of Sonora, for more information see the Mexican Customs Solo Sonora website – Spanish only), you must apply for a temporary vehicle import permit with Mexican Customs, BANJERCITO, or at some Mexican Consulates in the United States. The permit requires the presentation of a valid passport and a monetary deposit that will be returned to you upon leaving Mexico before the expiration of the permit. Failing to apply for a temporary vehicle import permit may lead to impoundment. For more information, see the Mexican Customs website ( English version).
Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of U.S. citizen deaths. If you have an emergency while driving, dial “911.” If you are driving on a toll highway (“cuota”) or any other major highway, you may contact the Green Angels (Angeles Verdes website – Spanish only), a fleet of trucks with bilingual crews, at (01) (55) 5250-8221.
Road Conditions and Safety: Avoid driving on Mexican highways at night. Travelers should exercise caution at all times and should use toll (“cuota”) roads rather than the less secure “free” (“libre”) roads whenever possible. Do not hitchhike or accept rides from or offer rides to strangers anywhere in Mexico.
Vehicular traffic in Mexico City is restricted daily, according to the license plate number, in order to reduce air pollution. For additional information, refer to the Hoy No Circula website (Spanish only) maintained by the Mexico City government.
For more information, please visit our Road Safety page. Also, we suggest you visit Mexico’s national tourist office website, MexOnline, and Mexico’s Customs website Importación Temporal de Vehículos for more information regarding travel and transportation.
Public Transportation/Taxis: When possible, travel by bus only during daylight hours and only in first-class. Robberies and assaults on passengers in taxis not affiliated with a taxi stand (“libre” taxis) are common. Avoid taking any taxi not summoned by telephone or contacted in advance, including “libre” taxis. When in need of a taxi, telephone a radio taxi or “sitio” (regulated taxi stand), and ask the dispatcher for the driver’s name and the taxi’s license plate number. Application-based car services such as Uber are available in many larger Mexican cities, though these services have sometimes had violent conflicts with local taxi unions and, in some cases, U.S. citizens have been injured.
Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Mexico’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Mexico’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA safety assessment page.
Maritime Safety Oversight: The Mexican maritime industry, including charter fishing and recreational vessels, is subject solely to Mexican safety regulations. Travelers should be aware that Mexican equipment and vessels may not meet U.S. safety standards or be covered by any accident insurance.
Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Mexico should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at www.marad.dot.gov/msci. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website, and the NGA broadcast warnings website under “broadcast warnings”.
DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE TOTALLY ACCURATE IN A SPECIFIC CASE. QUESTIONS INVOLVING INTERPRETATION OF SPECIFIC FOREIGN LAWS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE APPROPRIATE FOREIGN AUTHORITIES OR FOREIGN COUNSEL.
List of Consulates / Consular Agencies
(Also available at: https://mx.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/)
U.S. Embassy Mexico City
Paseo de la Reforma 305
Colonia Cuauhtemoc
06500 Mexico, D.F.
Telephone: 011-52-55-5080-2000
Emergency Telephone: 01-55-5080-2000, extension 0
Fax: 011-52-55-5080-2201
acsmexicocity@state.gov
Facebook , Twitter
U.S. Consulate General Ciudad Juarez
Paseo de la Victoria #3650
Fracc. Partido Senecú
Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico
Telephone: (011) (52) (656) 227-3000
Emergency Telephone: (01) (656) 227-3000 (within Mexico) / 227-3000 (within Ciudad Juarez) / 011- 52 (656) 227-3000 (from U.S.)
Email: CDJSCS@state.gov
Facebook , Twitter
U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara
Progreso 175
Col. Americana
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Telephone: (01-33 ) 3268-2100 (from Mexico) / 011-52-33-3268-2100 (from U.S.)
Emergency Telephone: (01-33) 3268-2145 (from Mexico) / 011-52-33-3268-2145 (from U.S)
Fax: (01-33 ) 3826-6549 (from Mexico) / 011-52-33-3826-6549 (from U.S.)
acsgdl@state.gov
Facebook , Twitter
U.S. Consulate General Hermosillo
Monterrey #141 entre las calles
Rosales y Galeana
Col. Esqueda, C.P. 83000
Hermosillo, Sonora, México
Telephone: 01-662-289-3500 (from Mexico) / 011-52-662-289-3500 (from U.S.)
Emergency Telephone: 044-662-256-0741 (local calls) / 045-662-256-0741 (within Mexico) / +52-1-662-256-0741 (international)
hermoacs@state.gov
Facebook
U.S. Consulate General Matamoros
Calle Primera #2002
Colonia Jardín
Matamoros, Tamaulipas
México 87330
Telephone: 011-52-(868)-812-4402
Emergency Telephone: (01) (868) 812 44 02 (within Mexico) / 812 44 02 (within Matamoros) / 011-52-868 812 44 02 (from U.S.)
Fax: 52 868 816- 08 83 (within Mexico) / 816-08-83 (within Matamoros) / 011-52-868 816 08 83 (from U.S.)
MatamorosUSCitizens@state.gov
Facebook , Twitter
U.S. Consulate General Merida
Calle 60 No. 338-K x 29 y 31
Col. Alcala Martin
Merida, Yucatan, Mexico 97050
Telephone: From the U.S. 011-52-999-942-5700 / within Mexico 01-999-942-5700 / within Merida 942-5700
Emergency Telephone: 011-52-999-942-5700 (from the U.S.) / 01-999-942-5700 (within Mexico) / 942-5700 (within Merida)
Fax: 011-52-999-942-5758 (from the U.S.)
Email: AskMeridaACS@state.gov
The Consulate in Merida provides consular services for the three Mexican states of Yucatan, Quintana Roo and Campeche.
U.S. Consulate General Monterrey
Ave. Constitución 411 Pte.
Monterrey, Nuevo León. México 64000
Telephone: (81) 8047-3100
Emergency Telephone: (81)8362-9126 (from Mexico) / 011-52-1-81-8362-9126 (from the U.S.)
Fax: (81) 8342-5433
MonterreyACS@state.gov
Facebook , Twitter
U.S. Consulate General Nogales
Calle San José s/n
Fraccionamiento los Alamos
C. P. 84065 Nogales, Sonora.
Mexico
Telephone: (52)-(631)-311-8150
Emergency Telephone: (521)-(631)-318-0723
Fax: (52)-(631)-313-4652
nogalesACS@state.gov
Facebook
U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo
Calle Allende 3330, Col. Jardin
Nuevo Laredo, Mexico
Telephone: From Mexico: (867) 714-0512, ext. 3128 (If calling from the U.S., dial 01152 before the number)
Emergency Telephone: 01-55-5080-2000 ext. 0
Fax: (867) 714-0512, ext. 3197 (from Mexico) / 011-52-867-714-0512, ext. 3197 (from U.S.)
NuevoLaredo-ACS@state.gov
U.S. Consulate Tijuana
Paseo de las Culturas s/n
Mesa de Otay
Delegación Centenario C.P. 22425
Tijuana, Baja California
Mexico
Telephone: (664) 977-2000 (Dialing from the U.S. 011-52 + phone number)
Emergency Telephone: 001 (619) 692-2154 (from Mexico) / (619) 692-2154 (from the U.S.)
ACSTijuana@state.gov
Facebook
Consular Agencies
(Also available at: https://mx.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/consular-agencies/)
U.S. Consular Agent - Acapulco
Hotel Continental Emporio
Costera M. Alemán 121 - Office 14
Acapulco, Gro. 39670
Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(744) 481-0100 or (011)(52)(744) 484-0300
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.
Fax: (52) (744) 484-0300
Monday – Friday: 9:00a.m. – 2:00p.m.
U.S. Consular Agent - Los Cabos
Las Tiendas de Palmilla L-B221
Km. 27.5 Carretera Transpeninsular
San José del Cabo, B.C.S. 23406
Mexico
Telephone: (624) 143-3566
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana.
Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
U.S. Consular Agent - Cancun
Blvd. Kukulcan Km 13 ZH
Torre La Europea, Despacho 301
Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(999) 942-5700
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Merida.
Fax: (998) 883-1373
Email: ConAgencyCancun@state.gov
The U.S. Consular Agency in Cancun is open for business Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. An appointment is required for all services.
U.S. Consular Agent - Cozumel
Telephone: (011)(52)(999) 942 5700
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Merida.
A U.S. Consular Agent serves on the island of Cozumel for non-routine emergency services only.
U.S. Consular Agent - Mazatlán
Playa Gaviotas No. 202
Zona Dorada
Mazatlán, Sinaloa 82110
Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(818) 047-3145
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Hermosillo.
General Business hours: Monday thru Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
ConAgencyMazatlan@state.gov
U.S. Consular Agent - Oaxaca
Macedonio Alcala No. 407, Office 20
Oaxaca, Oax. 68000
Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(951)514-3054 or (011)(52)(951) 516-2853
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.
Fax: (52) (951) 516-2701
Monday – Thursday: 10:00a.m. – 3:00p.m.
U.S. Consular Agent - Piedras Negras
Abasolo #211, Local #3
Centro
26000 Piedras Negras, Coahuila
Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(878) 782-5586 or (011)(52)(878) 782-8664
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Nuevo Laredo.
Fax: (52) (878) 782-8707
Monday– Friday: 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
E-mail: NuevoLaredo-ACS@state.gov
U.S. Consular Agent - Playa del Carmen
(An extension of the Consulate in Merida)
Plaza Progreso, Local 33
Carretera Federal Puerto Juarez-Chetumal, Mz. 293 Lt. 1.
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo C.P. 77710
Phone: (52)(999) 942-5700
E-mail: ConAgencyPlayadelC@state.gov
The U.S. Consular Agency in Playa del Carmen is open for business Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. An appointment is required for all services.
U.S. Consular Agent - Puerto Vallarta
Paseo de Los Cocoteros 85 Sur
Paradise Plaza - Local L-7
Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit C.P
Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(322) 222-0069
U.S. Consular Agent - San Miguel de Allende
Dr. Hernandez Macías No. 72
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(81) 8047-3145
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.
Fax: (52) (415) 152-1588
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
ConAgencySanMiguel@state.gov
U.S. Embassy Mexico City
U.S. Consulate General Ciudad Juarez
U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara
U.S. Consulate General Hermosillo
U.S. Consulate General Matamoros
U.S. Consulate General Merida
U.S. Consulate General Monterrey
U.S. Consulate General Nogales
U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo
U.S. Consulate Tijuana
U.S. Consular Agency Puerto Vallarta
U.S. Consular Agency Mazatlan
None.
Mexico is a party to the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extra Judicial Documents in Civil and Commercial Matters. Complete information on the operation of the Convention, including an interactive online request form are available on the Hague Conference website. Requests should be completed in duplicate and submitted with two sets of the documents to be served, and translations, directly to Mexico’s Central Authority for the Hague Service Convention. The person in the United States executing the request form should be either an attorney or clerk of court. The applicant should include the titles attorney at law or clerk of court on the identity and address of applicant and signature/stamp fields. In its Declarations and Reservations to the Convention, Mexico formally objected to service under Article 10 of the Hague Service Convention, and does not permit service via postal channels. While cases have been reported where U.S. courts have accepted alternative methods of service, Mexico's accession to the Hague Service Convention indicates that service through the Mexico Central Authority is the exclusive method available. For additional information see the Hague Conference Service Convention web page and the Hague Conference Practical Handbook on the Operation of the Hague Service Convention. See also Mexico’s response to the 2008 Hague Conference questionnaire on the practical operation of the Service Convention.
The United States and Mexico are also parties to the Inter-American Convention on Letters Rogatory and Additional Protocol. The U.S. Central Authority for the treaty is the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division, Office of Foreign Litigation, Washington, D.C. Requests for service under the Inter-American Convention on Letters Rogatory and Additional Protocol may be sent to the U.S. Department of Justice's contractor, Process Forwarding International (PFI), for transmittal to the Mexican Central Authority.
Service on a Foreign State: See also our Service Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) feature and FSIA Checklist for questions about service on a foreign state, agency or instrumentality.
Service of Documents from Mexico in the United States: See information about service in the United States on the U.S. Central Authority for the Service Convention page of the Hague Conference on Private International Law Service Convention site and Process Forwarding International (PFI)’s website for service under the Inter-American Convention and Additional Protocol.
Prosecution Requests: U.S. federal or state prosecutors should also contact the Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division, Department of Justice for guidance.
Defense Requests in Criminal Matters: Criminal defendants or their defense counsel seeking judicial assistance in obtaining evidence or in effecting service of documents abroad in connection with criminal matters may do so via the letters rogatory process.
Obtaining Evidence in Civil and Commercial Matters: Mexico is a party to the Hague Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil and Commercial Matters. See the Hague Evidence Convention Model Letters of Request for guidance on preparation of the letter of request. Requests for the compulsion of evidence under the Hague Evidence Convention are transmitted directly from the requesting court or person in the United States to the Mexican Central Authority and do not require transmittal via diplomatic channels. Letters of Request and accompanying documents should be prepared in duplicate and translated into Spanish. See Mexico’s Declarations and Reservations regarding the Hague Evidence Convention. Mexico objected to the methods of obtaining evidence in article 17 and 18 of the Convention. See also Mexico’s response to the 2008 Hague Conference questionnaire on the practical operation of the Hague Evidence Convention.
Requests from Mexico to Obtain Evidence in the United States: The U.S. Central Authority for the Hague Evidence Convention is the Office of International Judicial Assistance, Civil Division, Department of Justice, 1100 L Street N.W., Room 8102, Washington, D.C. 20530.
Voluntary depositions of U.S. citizen witnesses may be conducted in Mexico regardless of the nationality of the witness, provided no compulsion is used. Voluntary depositions of Mexican and third country nationals require prior permission from the Mexican Central Authority for the Hague Evidence Convention. Oral depositions or depositions on written questions may be taken on notice by U.S. consular officers or by private attorneys from the United States or Mexico at the U.S. Embassy, one of the U.S. Consulates or at another location such as a hotel or office. If the services of a U.S. consular officer are required to administer an oath to the witness, interpreter and stenographer, such arrangements must be made in advance with the U.S. embassy directly.
Mexico is a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement for Legalization of Foreign Public Documents. Mexico’s competent authority for the Hague Apostille Conventionwill authenticate Mexcian public documents with Apostilles. For information about authenticating U.S. public documents for use in Mexico, see the list of U.S. Competent Authorities. To obtain an Apostille for a U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America, contact the U.S. Department of State, Passport Services, Vital Records Office.
List of Consulates / Consular Agencies
(Also available at: https://mx.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/)
U.S. Embassy Mexico City
Paseo de la Reforma 305
Colonia Cuauhtemoc
06500 Mexico, D.F.
Telephone: 011-52-55-5080-2000
Emergency Telephone: 01-55-5080-2000, extension 0
Fax: 011-52-55-5080-2201
acsmexicocity@state.gov
Facebook , Twitter
U.S. Consulate General Ciudad Juarez
Paseo de la Victoria #3650
Fracc. Partido Senecú
Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico
Telephone: (011) (52) (656) 227-3000
Emergency Telephone: (01) (656) 227-3000 (within Mexico) / 227-3000 (within Ciudad Juarez) / 011- 52 (656) 227-3000 (from U.S.)
Email: CDJSCS@state.gov
Facebook , Twitter
U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara
Progreso 175
Col. Americana
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Telephone: (01-33 ) 3268-2100 (from Mexico) / 011-52-33-3268-2100 (from U.S.)
Emergency Telephone: (01-33) 3268-2145 (from Mexico) / 011-52-33-3268-2145 (from U.S)
Fax: (01-33 ) 3826-6549 (from Mexico) / 011-52-33-3826-6549 (from U.S.)
acsgdl@state.gov
Facebook , Twitter
U.S. Consulate General Hermosillo
Monterrey #141 entre las calles
Rosales y Galeana
Col. Esqueda, C.P. 83000
Hermosillo, Sonora, México
Telephone: 01-662-289-3500 (from Mexico) / 011-52-662-289-3500 (from U.S.)
Emergency Telephone: 044-662-256-0741 (local calls) / 045-662-256-0741 (within Mexico) / +52-1-662-256-0741 (international)
hermoacs@state.gov
Facebook
U.S. Consulate General Matamoros
Calle Primera #2002
Colonia Jardín
Matamoros, Tamaulipas
México 87330
Telephone: 011-52-(868)-812-4402
Emergency Telephone: (01) (868) 812 44 02 (within Mexico) / 812 44 02 (within Matamoros) / 011-52-868 812 44 02 (from U.S.)
Fax: 52 868 816- 08 83 (within Mexico) / 816-08-83 (within Matamoros) / 011-52-868 816 08 83 (from U.S.)
MatamorosUSCitizens@state.gov
Facebook , Twitter
U.S. Consulate General Merida
Calle 60 No. 338-K x 29 y 31
Col. Alcala Martin
Merida, Yucatan, Mexico 97050
Telephone: From the U.S. 011-52-999-942-5700 / within Mexico 01-999-942-5700 / within Merida 942-5700
Emergency Telephone: 011-52-999-942-5700 (from the U.S.) / 01-999-942-5700 (within Mexico) / 942-5700 (within Merida)
Fax: 011-52-999-942-5758 (from the U.S.)
Email: AskMeridaACS@state.gov
The Consulate in Merida provides consular services for the three Mexican states of Yucatan, Quintana Roo and Campeche.
U.S. Consulate General Monterrey
Ave. Constitución 411 Pte.
Monterrey, Nuevo León. México 64000
Telephone: (81) 8047-3100
Emergency Telephone: (81)8362-9126 (from Mexico) / 011-52-1-81-8362-9126 (from the U.S.)
Fax: (81) 8342-5433
MonterreyACS@state.gov
Facebook , Twitter
U.S. Consulate General Nogales
Calle San José s/n
Fraccionamiento los Alamos
C. P. 84065 Nogales, Sonora.
Mexico
Telephone: (52)-(631)-311-8150
Emergency Telephone: (521)-(631)-318-0723
Fax: (52)-(631)-313-4652
nogalesACS@state.gov
Facebook
U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo
Calle Allende 3330, Col. Jardin
Nuevo Laredo, Mexico
Telephone: From Mexico: (867) 714-0512, ext. 3128 (If calling from the U.S., dial 01152 before the number)
Emergency Telephone: 01-55-5080-2000 ext. 0
Fax: (867) 714-0512, ext. 3197 (from Mexico) / 011-52-867-714-0512, ext. 3197 (from U.S.)
NuevoLaredo-ACS@state.gov
U.S. Consulate Tijuana
Paseo de las Culturas s/n
Mesa de Otay
Delegación Centenario C.P. 22425
Tijuana, Baja California
Mexico
Telephone: (664) 977-2000 (Dialing from the U.S. 011-52 + phone number)
Emergency Telephone: 001 (619) 692-2154 (from Mexico) / (619) 692-2154 (from the U.S.)
ACSTijuana@state.gov
Facebook
Consular Agencies
(Also available at: https://mx.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/consular-agencies/)
U.S. Consular Agent - Acapulco
Hotel Continental Emporio
Costera M. Alemán 121 - Office 14
Acapulco, Gro. 39670
Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(744) 481-0100 or (011)(52)(744) 484-0300
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.
Fax: (52) (744) 484-0300
Monday – Friday: 9:00a.m. – 2:00p.m.
U.S. Consular Agent - Los Cabos
Las Tiendas de Palmilla L-B221
Km. 27.5 Carretera Transpeninsular
San José del Cabo, B.C.S. 23406
Mexico
Telephone: (624) 143-3566
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana.
Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
U.S. Consular Agent - Cancun
Blvd. Kukulcan Km 13 ZH
Torre La Europea, Despacho 301
Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(999) 942-5700
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Merida.
Fax: (998) 883-1373
Email: ConAgencyCancun@state.gov
The U.S. Consular Agency in Cancun is open for business Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. An appointment is required for all services.
U.S. Consular Agent - Cozumel
Telephone: (011)(52)(999) 942 5700
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Merida.
A U.S. Consular Agent serves on the island of Cozumel for non-routine emergency services only.
U.S. Consular Agent - Mazatlán
Playa Gaviotas No. 202
Zona Dorada
Mazatlán, Sinaloa 82110
Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(818) 047-3145
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Hermosillo.
General Business hours: Monday thru Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
ConAgencyMazatlan@state.gov
U.S. Consular Agent - Oaxaca
Macedonio Alcala No. 407, Office 20
Oaxaca, Oax. 68000
Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(951)514-3054 or (011)(52)(951) 516-2853
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.
Fax: (52) (951) 516-2701
Monday – Thursday: 10:00a.m. – 3:00p.m.
U.S. Consular Agent - Piedras Negras
Abasolo #211, Local #3
Centro
26000 Piedras Negras, Coahuila
Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(878) 782-5586 or (011)(52)(878) 782-8664
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Nuevo Laredo.
Fax: (52) (878) 782-8707
Monday– Friday: 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
E-mail: NuevoLaredo-ACS@state.gov
U.S. Consular Agent - Playa del Carmen
(An extension of the Consulate in Merida)
Plaza Progreso, Local 33
Carretera Federal Puerto Juarez-Chetumal, Mz. 293 Lt. 1.
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo C.P. 77710
Phone: (52)(999) 942-5700
E-mail: ConAgencyPlayadelC@state.gov
The U.S. Consular Agency in Playa del Carmen is open for business Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. An appointment is required for all services.
U.S. Consular Agent - Puerto Vallarta
Paseo de Los Cocoteros 85 Sur
Paradise Plaza - Local L-7
Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit C.P
Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(322) 222-0069
U.S. Consular Agent - San Miguel de Allende
Dr. Hernandez Macías No. 72
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Mexico
Telephone: (011)(52)(81) 8047-3145
Emergency Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.
Fax: (52) (415) 152-1588
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
ConAgencySanMiguel@state.gov
Mexico and the United States have been treaty partners under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention) since October 1, 1991.
For information concerning travel to Mexico, including information about the location of the U.S. Embassy, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country-specific information for Mexico.
The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Parental Child Abduction (IPCA). The report is located here.
The U.S. Department of State serves as the U.S. Central Authority (USCA) for the Hague Abduction Convention. In this capacity, the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children's Issues facilitates the submission of applications under the Hague Abduction Convention for the return of, or access to, children located in countries that are U.S. treaty partners, including Mexico. Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance prior to initiating the Hague process directly with the foreign Central Authority.
Contact information:
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Telephone: 1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Fax: 1-202-485-6221
Website
The Mexican Central Authority for the Hague Abduction Convention is the Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE). The Mexican Central Authority performs an administrative role in processing Hague Abduction Convention applications. They can be reached at:
Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores
Direccion General de Proteccion a Mexicanos en el Exterior
Direccion de Derecho de Familia
Plaza Juarez No. 20, Piso 17
Colonia Centro, Del. Cuauhtemoc
C.P. 06010 Mexico, D.F.
Telephone: 011-52-55-36865100
Fax: 011-52-55-36865865
Email: dgpmexterior@sre.gob.m
Website
To initiate a Hague case for return of, or access to, a child in Mexico, the left behind parent should submit a Hague application to the Mexican Central Authority, either through the USCA or directly. In exceptional cases, some courts may accept a petition filed directly. The Mexican Central Authority will, upon receipt and acceptance of the Hague Convention application, prepare a written communique for the court containing an explanation of the Hague Convention and its objectives and forward the application to the appropriate state court. The USCA is available to answer questions about the Hague application process, to forward a completed application to the Mexican Central Authority, and to subsequently monitor its progress through the foreign administrative and legal processes.
There are not fees for filing Hague applications with either the United States or Mexican central authorities. If the applicant parent hires an attorney, attorney fees are the responsibility of the applicant parent. Additional costs may include airplane tickets for court appearances and for the return of the child, if so ordered.
A parent or legal guardian may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for return to the United States of a child abducted to, or wrongfully retained in, Mexico. The U.S. Department of State can assist parents living in the United States to understand whether the Convention is an available civil remedy and can provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.
A person may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for access to a child living in Mexico. The criteria for acceptance of a Hague access application vary from country to country. The U.S. Department of State can assist parents living in the United States to understand country-specific criteria and provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.
Applicants are not required to retain an attorney to file a Hague Convention application in Mexico. A parent may choose to retain an attorney, however, to follow-up on the case and to provide them with direct information on the status of the case. A retained attorney should contact the Mexican Central Authority as soon as possible after the application is submitted. The Mexican Central Authority does not represent Hague Convention applicants in court or assign an attorney to represent the applicant.
The U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Consulates in Mexico posts a list of attorneys including those who specialize in family law.
This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the following persons or firms. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.
Courts in Mexico prefer to resolve cases through voluntary agreements, usually negotiated under the supervision of the court. The use of professional mediation services is not widely available in Mexico and is not a prevalent practice in Hague Convention cases with Mexico.
While travelling in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country. It is important for parents to understand that, although a left-behind parent in the United States may have custody or visitation rights pursuant to a U.S. custody order, that order may not be valid and enforceable in the country in which the child is located. For this reason, we strongly encourage you to speak to a local attorney if planning to remove a child from a foreign country without the consent of the other parent. Attempts to remove your child to the United States may:
The U.S. government cannot interfere with another country’s court or law enforcement system.
To understand the legal effect of a U.S. order in a foreign country, a parent should consult with a local attorney in the country in which the child is located.
For information about hiring an attorney abroad, see our section on Retaining a Foreign Attorney.
Although we cannot recommend an attorney to you, most U.S. Embassies have lists of attorneys available online. Please visit the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for a full listing.
For more information on consular assistance for U.S. citizens arrested abroad, please see our website.
Country officers are available to speak with you Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. For assistance with an abduction in progress or any emergency situation that occurs after normal business hours, on weekends, or federal holidays, please call toll free at 1-888-407-4747. See all contact information.
DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.
Mexico is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention or Convention). Intercountry adoption processing in Convention countries is done in accordance with the requirements of the Convention; the U.S. implementing legislation, the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (IAA); and the IAA’s implementing regulations; as well as the implementing legislation and regulations of Mexico.
The Mexican Central Authority is comprised of multiple entities including two federal authorities as well as an adoption authority in each of the 31 states. The two federal authorities are the Secretary of Exterior Relations, or Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE), which issues key Hague Adoption Convention documentation including the Article 23 Certificate, and the National System for the Full Development of the Family, or Sistema Nacional para el Desarollo Integral de la Familia (DIF), which coordinates national policy for child and family welfare, including processing of domestic and intercountry adoption cases and authorization of foreign adoption service providers in Mexico. Both of these entities are federal and are based in Mexico City.
In addition to the two federal authorities named above, intercountry adoptions must also involve one of the 31 state DIF offices, one in each Mexican state. The state DIF offices issue the Article 16 and Article 17 letters, important Hague Adoption Convention documentation. The civil code in each state may vary, and prospective adoptive parents need to be aware of and abide by the applicable laws of the state from which they plan to adopt. Though state and regional DIF offices play an important role in intercountry adoption cases, all intercountry adoptions must be processed in coordination with the national DIF office and the SRE, which are the entities with the authority to certify Convention compliance for intercountry adoptions.
Prospective adoptive parents must initiate their adoption application in Mexico by submitting it to the SRE through a U.S. based adoption service provider that is both Hague accredited in the U.S. and approved to provide services in Mexico by the Mexican Central Authority. Prospective adoptive parents should take care to ensure that the adoption service provider they choose is both on the U.S. list of Hague accredited adoption service providers, as well as on the national DIF’s list of adoption service providers authorized to work in Mexico. Failure to work with an adoption service provider that has achieved authorization by the national DIF could delay the adoption and could result in the Mexican Central Authority's refusal to issue the Hague certification required for visa issuance.
Prospective adoptive parents who are dual Mexican and U.S. nationals are cautioned that only plenary adoptions (adopcion plena) are considered valid for intercountry adoption. The Mexican legal framework provides for two adoption processes: simple (simple) adoption and plenary (plena)adoption. Under Mexican law, Mexican nationals and permanent residents of Mexico may complete a simple adoption, which involves a faster and simpler legal process than the longer and sometimes more difficult plenaprocess. However, in most cases simple adoptions do not meet the requirements of the Hague Adoption Convention process because they do not create a permanent legal parent-child relationship with the adopting parent and terminate the legal parent-child relationship with any former parent. It is only possible to issue a U.S. Convention adoption visa to children adopted via a plena adoption completed as part of a Convention adoption process. The plena adoption decree must mention that the dual national parents reside in the United States, and must clearly indicate that the adoption is an intercountry adoption.
To bring an adopted child to the United States from Mexico, you must meet eligibility and suitability requirements. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determines who can adopt under U.S. immigration law.
Additionally, a child must meet the definition of Convention adoptee under U.S. law in order to immigrate to the United States on an IH-3 or IH-4 immigrant visa.
In addition to the U.S. requirements, prospective adoptive parents need to meet Mexican requirements to adopt a child from Mexico:
Because Mexico is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, children from Mexico must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for adoption. For example, the adoption may take place only if the competent authorities of Mexico have determined that placement of the child within Mexico has been given due consideration and that an intercountry adoption is in the child’s best interests. In addition to Mexico’s requirements, a child must meet the definition of Convention adoptee to be eligible for an immigrant visa that will allow you to bring him or her to the United States.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
WARNING: Mexico is party to the Hague Adoption Convention. Do not adopt or obtain legal custody of a child in Mexico before a U.S. consular officer issues an “Article 5 Letter” in the case. Read on for more information.
Mexico’s Adoption Authority
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Family Law Office (SRE)
(Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores, Dirección de Derecho de Familia)
National System for Family Development – National and State offices (DIF)
(Desarollo Integral de la Familia)
Mexico has designated the SRE, National DIF and the 31 state DIF offices to perform various central authority functions. The SRE is the lead authority to which all applications and Convention process communications must be submitted. The National DIF coordinates national policy for domestic and intercountry adoption cases and is in charge of authorization of U.S. adoption service providers in Mexico. The state DIF offices handle much of the hands-on processing of intercountry adoptions, including making a referral to a child and providing written documentation regarding the child’s background.
Note: If any of the following occurred prior to April 1, 2008 (the date on which the Hague Adoption Convention entered into force with respect to the United States), the Hague Adoption Convention may not apply to your adoption: 1) you filed a Form I-600A identifying [Country] as the country where you intended to adopt; 2) you filed a Form I-600; or; 3) the adoption was completed. Under these circumstances, your adopted child’s visa application could continue to be processed in accordance with the immigration regulations for non-Convention adoptions. For more information, read about Transition Cases.
The Process
Because Mexico is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, adoptions from Mexico must follow a specific process designed to meet the Convention’s requirements. A brief summary of the Convention adoption process is given below. You must complete these steps in the following order to meet all necessary legal requirements. Adoptions completed out of order may result in the child not being eligible for an immigrant visa to the United States.
1. Choose a U.S. accredited or approved adoption service provider
2. Apply to USCIS to be found eligible to adopt
3. Be matched with a child in Mexico
4. Apply to USCIS for the child to be found eligible for immigration to the United States and receive U.S. agreement to proceed with the adoption
5. Adopt (or Obtain Legal Custody) of child in Mexico
6. Obtain a U.S. immigrant visa for your child and bring your child home
1. Choose a U.S. Accredited or Approved Adoption Service Provider
The recommended first step in adopting a child from Mexico is to select an adoption service provider in the United States that has been accredited or approved to provide services to U.S. citizens in Convention cases. Only accredited or approved adoption services providers may act as the primary provider in your case. The primary adoption service provider is responsible for ensuring that all adoption services in the case are done in accordance with The Hague Adoption Convention and U.S. laws and regulations. Learn more about Agency Accreditation. The accredited adoption service provider must also be authorized to operate in Mexico. Mexico requires foreign prospective adoptive parents to use an adoption service provider that has been authorized by the Mexican Central Authority. Further details on authorized agencies may be obtained through the national DIF office, including on the DIF’s website (which is only available in Spanish).
2. Apply to USCIS to be Found Eligible to Adopt
After you choose an accredited or approved adoption service provider, you must apply to be found eligible to adopt by the responsible U.S. government agency, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), by submitting Form I-800A. Read more about Eligibility Requirements.
Once USCIS determines that you are “eligible” and “suited” to adopt by approving the Form I-800A, your adoption service provider will provide your approval notice, home study, and any other required information to the adoption authority in Mexico as part of your adoption dossier. Mexico’s adoption authority will review your application to determine whether you are also eligible to adopt under Mexico’s law. All adoption dossiers must be submitted first to the SRE, which will forward to the appropriate DIF offices.
3. Be Matched with a Child by in Mexico
If both the United States and Mexico determine that you are eligible to adopt, and the Mexican Central Authority has determined that a child is available for adoption and that intercountry adoption is in that child’s best interests, the Mexican Central Authority may provide you with a referral for a child. The referral is a proposed match between you and a specific child based on a review of your dossier and the needs of a specific child in Mexico. The adoption authority in Mexico (usually the state DIF) will provide a background study and other information, if available, about the child to help you decide whether to accept the referral or not. Each family must decide for itself whether or not it will be able to meet the needs and provide a permanent home for a particular child. If you accept the referral, the adoption service provider communicates that to the adoption authority in Mexico. Learn more about this critical decision.
4. Apply to USCIS for the Child to be Found Eligible for Immigration to the United States and Receive U.S. Agreement to Proceed with the Adoption
After you accept a match with a child, you will apply to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for provisional approval for the child to immigrate to the United States (Form I-800). USCIS will make a provisional determination as to whether the child meets the definition of a Convention Adoptee and will be eligible to enter the United States and reside permanently as an immigrant.
After provisional approval of Form I-800, your adoption service provider or you will submit a visa application to the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City that is responsible for issuing immigrant visas to children from Mexico. A consular officer will review the Form I-800 and the visa application for possible visa ineligibilities and advise you of options for the waiver of any noted ineligibilities.
WARNING: The consular officer will send a letter (referred to as an “Article 5 Letter”) to the Mexican Central Authority in any intercountry adoption involving U.S. citizen parents and a child from Mexico where all Convention requirements are met and the consular officer determines that the child appears eligible to immigrate to the United States. This letter will inform the Mexican Central Authority that the parents are eligible and suited to adopt, that all indications are that the child may enter and reside permanently in the United States, and that the U.S. Central Authority agrees that the adoption may proceed.
Do not attempt to adopt or obtain custody of a child in Mexico before a U.S. consular officer issues the Article 5 Letter in any adoption case.
Remember: The consular officer will make a final decision about a child’s eligibility for an immigrant visa later in the adoption process.
5. Adopt (or Obtain Legal Custody) of Child in Mexico
Remember: Before you adopt (or obtain legal custody of) a child in Mexico, you must have completed the above four steps. Only after completing these steps, can you proceed to finalize the adoption or grant of custody for the purposes of adoption in Mexico.
The process for finalizing the adoption (or obtaining legal custody) in Mexico generally includes the following:
The court process usually takes from four to six months depending on the court’s workload. Prospective adoptive parents are required to appear in person at least twice during the court process for hearings and to provide testimony to the Civil/Family judge and State DIF personnel. Prospective adoptive parents are also required to provide two witnesses to provide testimony about their financial status, housing conditions, criminal history and character of PAPs. All of the testimony will be evaluated and recorded in the final adoption decree.
Prospective adoptive parents must obtain three certified copies of the full and final adoption decree. These three copies are necessary in order to: 1) request a new birth certificate from the Civil Registry showing the new name of the child, 2) apply for the Mexican passport from the SRE and 3) apply for the Article 23 Certificate with the SRE.
Some of the fees specifically associated with adopting from Mexico include:
*Originals are returned except for the items identified in No. 6
Note: Additional documents may be requested.
Note: All documents must be translated into the Spanish language; prospective adoptive parents should verify this requirement with the State DIF.
6. Obtain an Immigrant Visa for your Child and Bring Your Child Home
Now that your adoption is complete ,there are a few more steps to take before you can head home. Specifically, you need to apply for three documents before your child can travel to the United States:
Birth Certificate
After the adoption process is finalized in court, the judge will issue a full and final adoption decree declaring the child’s new name and parents. Adoptive parents should use this adoption decree to apply for a new birth certificate reflecting the child’s new name and parents. The new birth certificate can be obtained by submitting the original final adoption decree or a certified copy of the adoption decree to the Office of Civil Registry where the child’s birth was originally registered. You may use this new birth certificate to apply for your child’s Mexican passport.
Please note that Mexico requires than an adoption be finalized prior to the child’s departure for the United States in order to meet Convention requirements. Court ordered grants of custody for purpose of adoption in the United States do not comply with Mexico’s Convention requirements. Prospective adoptive parents who have not yet completed a full and final adoption in Mexico will not be able to obtain a new birth certificate for the child and will not be able to complete Mexico’s Convention process.
Mexican Passport
Your child is not yet a U.S. citizen, so he/she will need a Mexican travel document or passport . Mexico requires that the child and both adoptive parents appear in person to apply for the child’s Mexican passport. For more details on the Mexican passport application process and requirements, you should refer to information provided by the SRE.
U.S. Immigrant Visa
After you obtain the new birth certificate and passport for your child, you also need to finalize your application for a U.S. visa for your child from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico. After the adoption (or custody for purpose of adoption) is granted, make an appointment to visit the U.S Embassy for final review of the case, issuance of a U.S. Hague Adoption Certificate or Hague Custody Certificate, final approval of Form I-800, and to obtain your child’s immigrant visa. This immigrant visa allows your child to travel home with you. As part of this process, the consular officer must be provided the “Panel Physician’s” medical report on the child if it was not provided during the provisional approval stage. Read more about the Medical Examination.
Child Citizenship Act
For adoptions finalized abroad prior to the child’s entry into the United States: A child will acquire U.S. citizenship upon entry into the United States if the adoption was finalized prior to entry and the child otherwise meets the requirements of the Child Citizenship Act of 2000.
For adoptions finalized after the child’s entry into the United States: An adoption will need to be completed following your child’s entry into the United States for the child to acquire U.S. citizenship.
*Please be aware that if your child did not qualify to become a citizen upon entry to the United States, it is very important that you take the steps necessary so that your child does qualify as soon as possible. Failure to obtain citizenship for your child can impact many areas of his/her life including family travel, eligibility for education and education grants, and voting. Read more about the Child Citizenship Act of 2000.
U.S. citizens are required by law to enter and depart the United States on a valid U.S. passport. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports.
Getting or renewing a passport is easy. The Passport Application Wizard will help you determine which passport form you need, help you to complete the form online, estimate your payment, and generate the form for you to print—all in one place.
In addition to a U.S. passport, you also need to obtain a visa. A visa is an official document issued by a foreign country that formally allows you to visit. Visas are affixed to your passport and allow you to enter a foreign nation. Mexico requires United States citizens travelling to Mexico for the purposes of adoption to obtain a visa for purposes of adoption before entering Mexico. Once in Mexico, adoptive parents will be given a certain period of time within which to register with the Mexican Immigration Authority, or the Instituto de Migraciones. To find information about obtaining a visa for Mexico, see the Department of State’s Country Specific Information
Before you travel, it is always a good practice to investigate the local conditions, laws, political landscape, and culture of the country. The Department of State provides Country Specific Information for every country of the world about various issues, including the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, and any areas of instability.
When traveling during the adoption process, we encourage you to enroll with the Department of State. Enrollment makes it possible to contact you if necessary. Whether there is a family emergency in the United States or a crisis in [Country], enrollment assists the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in reaching you.
Enrollment is free and can be done online via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
Post-Adoption/Post-Placement Reporting Requirements
Mexico requires post adoption reporting twice a year for the first three years and once a year thereafter until the age of 18. All reports should be submitted to the Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores by an accredited adoption service provider that is also authorized to provide services in Mexico. We strongly urge you to comply with Mexico’s post-adoption requirements in a timely manner. Your adoption agency may be able to help you with this process. Your cooperation will contribute to that country’s history of positive experiences with U.S. citizen parents.
Post-Adoption Resources
Many adoptive parents find it important to find support after the adoption. There are many public and private nonprofit post-adoption services available for children and their families. There are also numerous adoptive family support groups and adoptee organizations active in the United States that provide a network of options for adoptees who seek out other adoptees from the same country of origin. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family, whether it is another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.
Here are some places to start your support group search:
Note: Inclusion of non-U.S. government links does not imply endorsement of contents.
U.S. Embassy in Mexico
Paseo de la Reforma 305
Colonia Cuauhtémoc
06500 Mexico, D.F.
Tel: 011-52-55-50-80-2000.
Internet: mx.usembassy.gov
Mexico Adoption Authority
Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE)
Dirección de Derecho de la Familia
Plaza Juarez, numero 20, piso 17
Colonia Centro, Delegación Cuauhtémoc, 52 55 3686 5100 x 7543
C.P. 06010, México, D.F. Tel: (55) 368665100
Website: http: //www.sre.gob.mx/index.php/oficinas-centrales/direccion-general-de-proteccion-a-mexicanos-en-el-exterior
Sistema Nacional Para El Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (DIF)
Prol. Xochicalco 947, 1er Piso
Col. Santa Cruz Atoyac
Del Benito Juarez, C.P. 03310
México, D.F. Tel: (55) 3033 2200 x 6131
Website: www.dif.gob.mx
Embassy of Mexico
Embassy of Mexico
Consular Section
2827 16th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20009-4260
Tel: (202) 736-1000
Website: http: //embamex.sre.gob.mx/eua/
Mexico also has 50 consulates in the United States. A listing of them can be found at the following website: http: //www.sre.gob.mx/index.php/representaciones/consulados-de-mexico-en-el-exterior
Office of Children’s Issues
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, N.W. SA-17
Washington, D.C. 20522-1707
Tel: 1-888-407-4747
Email: AdoptionUSCA@state.gov
Internet: adoption.state.gov
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
For questions about immigration procedures: USCIS National Customer Service Center (NCSC)
Tel: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
Internet: uscis.gov
For questions about filing a Form I-800A or I-800 petition: USCIS National Benefits Center
Tel: 1-877-424-8374 (toll free); 1-816-251-2770 (local)
Email: NBC.Hague@uscis.dhs.gov
Note: The Mexican Central Authority informed the U.S. Central Authority it does not issue statements of habitual residence.
Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Entries |
Validity Period |
---|---|---|---|
A-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months A |
A-2 | None | Multiple | 48 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 |
CW-1 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
CW-2 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
D | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
E-1 2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
E-2 2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
E-2C 12 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
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 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
H-1C | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
H-2A | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
H-2B | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
H-2R | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
H-3 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
H-4 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
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 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
L-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
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 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
O-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
O-3 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
P-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
P-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
P-3 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
P-4 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
Q-1 6 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
R-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
R-2 | None | 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 |
T-6 | None | One | 6 Months |
TD 5 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
TN | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
U-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
U-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
U-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
U-4 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
U-5 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
V-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
V-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
V-3 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident. The spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status following the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principle alien’s country of nationality.
Example: John Doe is a national of the country of Z that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. His wife and child are nationals of the country of Y which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as Mr. Doe, the principal visa holder.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
In Mexico the maintenance of public records and the issuance of certificates fall within the jurisdiction of the 31 states and the Distrito Federal (Federal District), 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 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 state Central Civil Registry. Each Central Civil Registry in Mexico can issue birth, death and marriages certificates from other states around the country through the Interconnection Database. The Central Civil Registries 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, as well as certificate of non-existence which can be obtained through the Central Civil Registry. 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.
Available. Birth certificates for births since 1870 are generally available. Births since 1930 have been captured in a central database for most states in Mexico. A letter may be obtained certifying that no record is available, if such is the case (certificate of non-existence). Birth certificates are issued by the appropriate civil registry official. 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 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.
Available
Fees: The fees for this document vary by state.
Document Name: Acta de Defuncion
Issuing Authority: Civil Registry (Registro Civil)
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Seal and signature from Registro Civil, varies by state and by the year when the document was issued.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title Civil Registry Officer (titles may include: Oficial, Coordinador General, Director, or Jefe de Archivo Estatal del Registro Civil)
Registration Criteria: Presentation of the one of the following: medical/forensic doctor’s certificate, burial or cremation order or municipal death certificate. Additional documentation may vary by state.
Procedure for Obtaining: The procedures for obtaining vary by state.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: The fees for this document vary by state.
Document Name: Acta De Matrimonio
Issuing Authority: Civil Registry (Registro Civil)
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Seal and signature from Registro Civil, varies by state and by the year when the document was issued.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil Registry Officer (titles may include: Oficial, Coordinador General, Director, or Jefe de Archivo Estatal del Registro Civil)
Registration Criteria: Completion of marriage application, presentation of the couple’s birth certificates and IDs, blood test, witnesses, and some states require completion of a pre-marriage course.
Procedure for Obtaining: The procedures for obtaining vary by state.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: Only civil marriage is legally recognized in Mexico. A religious ceremony may be considered proof of a bona fide relationship, but it is not legally binding.
Exceptions: None
Comments: In June 2015, Mexico's Supreme Court declared unconstitutional any law prohibiting same-sex marriage. While the court did not explicitly say that same-sex unions were legal, the decision is seen as having the effect of modifying Mexican states’ civil codes concerning same-sex marriage in Mexico, which may vary from state to state. We recommend individuals contact specific state governments for up - to - date information.
Currently, same-sex couples may apply for an “acta de convivencia" (cohabitation certificate) from the Civil Registry in Mexico City. This cohabitation certificate is only available in Mexico City. Most Mexican states will require a family judge to determine if a common law spouse is entitled to receive benefits after the death of the other spouse.
Available
Fees: The fees for this document vary by state.
Document Name: Acta de Divorcio
Issuing Authority: Civil Registry (Registro Civil)
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Seal and signature from Registro Civil, varies by state and by the year when the document was issued
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil Registry Officer (titles may include: Oficial, Coordinador General, Director, or Jefe de Archivo Estatal del Registro Civil)
Registration Criteria: Presentation of the family court’s decree for registration of this document at the Civil Registry. Exception, if the married couple is over the age of 18 years old, childless, and is in mutual agreement to divorce, they may file for an administrative divorce at the Civil Registry and no family court decree is necessary.
Procedure for Obtaining: The procedures for obtaining vary by state.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: Divorce certificates are available in all states and may be obtained at the Civil Registry Office. Marriage Certificates with an annotation noting divorce are obtainable in some states and are also acceptable proof of marriage termination. Some states may also make annotations on birth certificates which list the marriages and divorces.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Document Name: Adopcion Plena
Issuing Authority: Family Court
Comments: “Adopcion simple” is not acceptable for immigrant visa adoptions.
Available
Fees: There are no fees
Document Name: INE voting card. Previously known as an IFE voting card issued by the Federal Electoral Institute (Instituto Federal Electoral (“IFE”)). In 2014 the agency name changed to the National Electoral Institute (Instituto Nacional Electoral (“INE”)).
Issuing Authority: National Electoral Institute (Instituto Nacional Electoral)
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Photo ID with biometrics and a hologram
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: National Electoral Institute (Instituto Nacional Electoral)
Registration Criteria: Mexican nationals over the age of 18 years old are eligible. Mexican nationals age 17 and over may be eligible during the year of a presidential election.
Procedure for Obtaining: Present a photo ID, proof of residence and Mexican nationality (such as a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, etc.) at an INE office of Mexican consulate overseas.
Certified Copies Available: If an INE card is lost, it can be replaced at no cost.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: Other national IDs are:
Available
Fees: The fees vary by state.
Document Name: Carta or Certificado de No Antecedentes Penales
Issuing Authority: State Police (Fiscalía General del Estado)
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The seals, colors and format vary by state.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The issuing authority title varies by state.
Registration Criteria: The registration criteria vary by state.
Procedure for Obtaining: Contact the individual State Police for instructions.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: If the state police record is unavailable, visa applicants must provide a federal record called a “Carta de No Antecedentes Penales” from the Dirección General de Ejecución de Sanciones, Comisión Nacional de Seguridad. To make the request, applicants must provide the following documentation:
For Mexican Nationals:
For Foreign Nationals:
If the applicant is not able to make the request in person, a family member can do so in the applicant’s name by taking a power of attorney signed by the interested party to:
Dirección General de Ejecución de Sanciones, Comisión Nacional de Seguridad
Calzada de Tlalpan No. 2962
Col. Espartaco, Deleg. Coyoacan, C.P. 04870
Mexico City, Mexico
The office is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. For inquiries about the process, applicants may call the institution at: 011-52-55-5128-4100 and 011-52-55-5599-2000, exts. 18992, 18993, 18994 y 18733.
Exceptions: None
Comments: Versions of the police certificates vary from state to state. Police certificates from the local town halls or cities are unacceptable. In Mexico police certificates are only available for applicants 18 and over. A police certificate from every state in Mexico is generally not required for an IV application. A single police certificate is sufficient. Only when an IV applicant has lived in Mexico for six months or more and after the age of 18 is a police certificate required.
However, consular officers may request a state police certificate where an individual was resident for more than six (months) on a case by cases basis.
Available
Fees: The fees for this document vary by state.
Document Name: Certified copy of the trial
Issuing Authority: Court which presided over their trial.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Mexican court of arms on each page, usually with a wet stamp in purple or blue ink to demonstrate that it is an original, not a photocopy, printed on legal size paper, and pages are numbered and signed by the court certifier.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Judge who presided over the trial.
Registration Criteria: The Court keeps copies of all documents used during proceedings. Once the case is closed the file is stored at the main archive of that court.
Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants or their legal representative must contact the court which presided over their trial.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available. The cost is usually calculated by the number of pages in the file.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: The fees for this document vary by state.
Document Name: Carta de Liberación (certificate of time served) or Constancia de Salida (certificate of time served).
Issuing Authority: Prison where the sentence was served.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Certificates of time served are usually typed on stationary bearing a faint round seal containing the Mexican coat of arms. The certificate will also bear a rubber stamp seal which includes the coat of arms, date of issue, and issuing entity.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The issuing authority title varies by prison.
Registration Criteria: Court decree that indicates time to be served in prison.
Procedure for Obtaining: The procedures for obtaining vary by state.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies vary by prison.
Alternate Documents: Yes, court documents from legal proceedings may be presented instead of prison records. Court documents include the full legal proceedings, in addition to the prison sentence. Please see the “Court Records” section for more additional information.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Military Records
Available
Fees: The first military card is free. As of September 2017, a replacement is 193 pesos (Approx. $10 USD).
Document Name: Cartilla Militar
Issuing Authority: Ministry of National Defense (Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional) in Mexico City.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Green cardboard cover with Mexican coat of arms in front. First page contains biographical information and bearer’s thumb print.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: General of the Recruitment Office
Registration Criteria: Persons who have served in the military or who have registered for the military and who have lost their records may apply for replacement online or in person at any municipal recruitment office.
Procedure for Obtaining: See the registration criteria for more information.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: Registration with the military is mandatory for Mexican men over 18 and optional for women. However, no fines or prison time are imposed if men do not comply. To be registered the applicant must be fingerprinted at the municipal recruitment office and present the following documents: original birth certificate, proof of residence, 4 photos, school diploma and national identification number (“CURP”).
Travel Documents
Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.): Passport
Fees: The fees vary depending on passport validity (1, 3, 6, or 10 years)
Document Name: Mexican Passport
Issuing Government Authority: Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (“SRE”).
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: All have the Mexican coat of arms and “Mexico” on the cover.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs Officer (Delegado)
Registration Criteria: Proof of Mexican nationality, which could include a birth certificate or certificate of naturalization, and proof of identity, which could include INE card, school diploma, consular ID, etc.
Procedure for Obtaining: Present proof of Mexican nationality and identity proof at any SRE office in Mexico or Mexican consulate abroad.
Alternate Documents: Travel Document (Documento de Identidad y Viaje)
Exceptions: If a person has an outstanding warrant for their arrest, they will not be issued a Mexican passport.
Comments: Both parents consent is necessary for issuance of the passport to a minor. A minor’s passport with the code 4.1 means that only one parent was present and a parental authorization form from the absent parent was completed prior to issuance.
Other Documents Available: Foreigners in Mexico who cannot obtain a travel document from their home country may obtain an Identity and Travel Document (Documento de Identidad y Viaje) from SRE. It will be a booklet with a red cover and will be valid for six months under the following circumstances:
1. Foreigners in Mexico who have lost their nationality without acquiring another and consequently, they are considered with undefined nationality or stateless.
2. Foreigners in Mexico who have a defined nationality that does not have a diplomatic or consular representation (office) that can issue a passport.
3. Foreigners in Mexico who can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the SRE, that their diplomatic or consular representative refuses to issue a passport.
Not applicable
Post | State | Visa Categories |
---|---|---|
Ciudad Juarez (Consulate General) | Chihuahua | IV and NIV, except E1 visas |
Guadalajara (Consulate General) | Jalisco | NIV except E visas |
Hermosillo (Consulate) | Sonora | NIV, except E visas |
Matamoros (Consulate) | Yucatan | NIV, except E visas |
Merida | Yucatan | NIV, except E visas |
Mexico, D.F. (Embassy) | Mexico | NIV, except E visas |
Monterrey (Consulate General) | Nuevo Leon | NIV, except E2 visas |
Nuevo Laredo | Tamaulipas | NIV, except E visas |
Nogales | Sonora | NIV, except E visas |
Tijuana (Consulate General) | Baja California Norte | NIV, except E2 visas |
Visa Services
All categories of immigrant visas for nationals of Mexico are processed by the consulate in Ciudad Juarez. E2 applicants are reviewed exclusively in Ciudad Juarez. E1 visa applicants may apply in Monterrey and Tijuana.
For Mexico only: In the subject line of your email, please use the following format: CONSULAR NOTIFICATION / Name of Law Enforcement Department
Washington, DC
(202) 736-1000 (202) 736-1002 (202) 728-1698
Notifications for the DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (WASHINGTON, DC), MARYLAND, VIRGINIA and WEST VIRGINIA
Albuquerque, NM
(505) 247-2147 (505) 247-4177 (505) 842-9490
Notifications for the following counties in NEW MEXICO - Bernalillo, Catron, Cibola, Colfax, Curry, De Baca, Guadalupe, Harding, Lincoln, Los Alamos, McKinley, Mora, Quay, Rio Arriba, Roosevelt, Sandoval, San Juan, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Socorro, Taos, Torrance, Union and Valencia
Atlanta, GA
(404) 266-2233 (404) 266-2309
Notifications for –
ALABAMA: all counties
GEORGIA: all counties
The following counties in TENNESSEE:
Anderson, Bedford, Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Cannon, Carter, Cheatham, Clairborne, Clay, Cocke, Coffee, Cumberland, Davidson, DeKalb, Dickson, Fentress, Franklin, Giles, Grainger, Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Loudon, Macon, Marion, Marshall, Maury, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Montgomery, Moore, Morgan, Overton, Perry, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Robertson, Rutherford, Scott, Sequatchie, Sevier, Smith, Stewart, Sullivan, Sumner, Trousdale, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, Wayne, White, Williamson, Wilson
Austin, TX
(512) 478-2866 (512) 478-8008
Notifications for the following counties in TEXAS – Bastrop, Bell, Blanco, Brown, Burnet, Caldwell, Coryell, Comanche, Coleman, Falls, Fayette, Hamilton, Hays, Llano, Lampasas, Lee, McLennan, Milam, Mills, Limestone, San Saba, Travis, Williamson
Boise, ID
(208) 343-6228 (208) 343-6237
Notifications for IDAHO and MONTANA
Boston, MA
(617) 350-5263 (617) 350-5264 (617) 350-5266 (617) 695-1957
Notifications for MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, NEW HAMPSHIRE, RHODE ISLAND and VERMONT
Brownsville, TX
(956) 542-4431 (956) 542-5182
Notifications for the following counties in TEXAS – Cameron, Willacy and Kenedy counties
Calexico, CA
(760) 357-3863 (760) 357-6284
Notifications for Imperial, CA
Chicago, IL
(312) 738-2383 (312) 491-9072
Notifications for the following counties –
ILLINOIS: Adams, Boone, Brown, Bureau, Carroll, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Coles, Cook, De Witt, Dekalb, Douglas, Dupage, Edgar, Ford, Fulton, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Iroquois, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Knox, Lake, La Salle, Lee, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, McLean, Menard, Mercer, Morgan, Moultrie, Ogle, Peoria, Piatt, Pike, Putnam, Rock Island, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Stark, Stephenson, Tazewell, Vermillion, Warren, Whiteside, Will, Winnebago, Woodford
INDIANA: Adams, Allen, Benton, Cass, De Kalb, Elkhart, Fulton, Huntington, Jasper, Kosciusko, La Porte, Lagrange, Lake, Marshall, Miami, Newton, Noble, Porter, Pulaski, St. Joseph, Starke, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, White, Whitley
Dallas, TX
(214) 932-8670 (214) 932-8671 (214) 932-8672(214) 932-8673
Notifications for the following counties in TEXAS – Anderson, Andrews, Archer, Armstrong, Bailey, Baylor, Borden, Bosque, Bowie, Briscoe, Callahan, Camp, Carson, Cass, Castro, Cherokee, Childress, Clay, Cochran, Collin, Collingsworth, Cooke, Cottle, Crosby, Dallam, Dallas, Dawson, Deaf Smith, Delta, Denton, Dickens, Donley, Eastland, Ellis, Erath, Fannin, Fisher, Floyd, Foard, Franklin, Freestone, Gaines, Garza, Gray, Grayson, Gregg, Hale, Hall, Hansford, Hardeman, Harrison, Hartley, Haskell, Hemphill, Henderson, Hill, Hocley, Hood, Hopkins, Howard, Hunt, Hutchinson, Jack, Jasper, Jones, Johnson, Kaufman, Kent, King, Knox, Lamar, Lamb, Lipscomb, Loving, Lubbock, Lynn, Marion, Martin, Mitchell, Montague, Moore, Morris, Motley, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Nolan, Ochiltree, Oldham, Palo Pinto, Panola, Parker, Parmer, Potter, Rains, Randall, Red River, Roberts, Rockwall, Rusk, Shackelford, Shelby, Sherman, Smith, Sommervell, Stephens, Stonewell, Swisher, Tarrant, Taylor, Terry, Throckmorton, Titus, Upshur, Van Zandt, Wheeler, Wichita, Wilbarger, Wise, Wood, Yoakum, Young
Del Rio, TX
(830) 775-2352 (830) 774-6497
Notifications for the following counties in TEXAS – Sterling, Coke, Runnels, Irion, Tom Green, Concho, Pecos, Crockett, Schleicher, Sutton, Terrell and Val Verde
Denver, CO
(303) 331-1110 (303) 331-0169
Notifications for the following counties –
COLORADO: All counties
WYOMING: Albany, Campbell, Carbon, Converse, Crook, Goshen, Johnson, Laramie, Natrona, Niobarra, Platte, Sheridan, Weston
Detroit, MI
(313) 964-4515 (313) 964-4517 (313) 964-4528 (313) 964-4522
Notifications for the following counties –
MICHIGAN: Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrlm, Arenac, Barry, Bay, Benzle, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Clare, Clinton, Crawford, Eaton, Emmet, Genesee, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Huron, lngham, lonia, losco, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Kent, Lake, Lapeer, Leelanau, Lenawee, Livingston, Luce, Mackinac, Macomb, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Midland, Missaukee, Monroe, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Oceana, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Ottawa, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Salinac, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne, Wexford
OHIO: Allen, Ashland, Ashtabula, Columbiana, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Geauga, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning , Medina, Ottawa, Paulding, Portage, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Van Wert, Wayne, Williams, Wood, Wyandot
Douglas, AZ
(520) 364-3107 (520) 364-3142 (520) 364-1379
Notifications for the following counties in ARIZONA – Cochise, Graham, Greenlee
Eagle Pass, TX
(830) 773-9255 (830) 773-9256 (830) 773-9397
Notifications for the following counties in TEXAS – Dimmit, Edwards, Kinney, Maverick, Real, Uvalde, Zavala
El Paso, TX
(915) 532-5540 (915) 544-9299 (915) 532-7163
Notifications for the following counties –
NEW MEXICO: Chaves, Dona Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lea, Luna, Otero, Sierra
TEXAS: El Paso, Hudspeth
Fresno, CA
(559) 233-3065 (559) 257-4839
Notifications for the following counties in CALIFORNIA – Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare
Houston, TX
(713) 271-6800 (713) 772-1229
Notifications for the following counties in TEXAS – Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Calhoun, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Lavaca, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Newton, Orange, Polk, Robertson, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Washington, Wharton
Indianapolis, IN
(317) 761-7600 (317) 951-7610
Notifications for –
KENTUCKY: all counties
The following counties in:
ILLINOIS: Alexander, Bond, Calhoun, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Cumberland, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Greene, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jersey, Johnson, Lawrence, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, St. Clair, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, Williamson
INDIANA: Bartholomew, Blackford, Boone, Brown, Carroll, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Daviess, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Dubois, Fayette, Floyd, Fountain, Franklin, Gibson, Grant, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Harrison, Hendricks, Henry, Howard, Jackson, Jay, Jefferson, Jennings, Johnson, Knox, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Martin, Montgomery, Morgan, Ohio, Omroe, Orange, Owen, Parke, Perry, Pike, Posey, Putnam, Randolph, Ripley, Rush, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Sullivan, Switzerland, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Union, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Vigo, Warren, Warrick, Washington, Wayne
OHIO: Adams, Athens, Auglaize, Belmont, Brown, Butler, Carroll, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Coshocton, Darke, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Gallia, Greene, Guernsey, Hamilton, Hardin, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lawrence, Licking, Logan, Madison, Marion, Meigs, Mercer, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Preble, Ross, Scioto, Shelby, Tuscarawas, Union, Vinton, Warren, Washington
Kansas City, MO
(816) 556-0800 (816) 556-0900
Notifications for –
KANSAS: all counties
MISSOURI: all counties
The following counties in OKLAHOMA:
Alfalfa, Beaver, Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Cimmaron, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Grady, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Jackson, Jefferson, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Major, Roger Mills, Stephens, Texas, Tillman, Washita, Woods, Woodward
Laredo, TX
(956) 723-0990 (956) 723-6369 (956) 723-1741
Notifications for the following counties in TEXAS – Duval, Jim Hogg, La Salle, McMullen, Webb, Zapata
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 477-2700(702) 477-2727
Notifications for –
NEVADA: all counties
Little Rock, AR
(501) 372-6933 (501) 372-6109
Notifications for the following counties –
ARKANSAS: All counties
TENNESSEE: Benton, Carrol, Cheatham, Chester, Crocket, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Giles, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Lake, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lewis, Madison, Marshall, Maury, McNairy, Montgomery, Obion, Perry, Robertson, Shelby, Stewart, Tipton, Wayne, Weakley, Williamson
OKLAHOMA: Adair, Atoka, Bryan, Carter, Cherokee, Choctaw, Cleveland, Coal, Craig, Creek, Delaware, Garfield, Garvin, Grant, Haskell, Hughes, Johnson, Kay, Latimer, Le Flore, Lincoln, Logan, Love Marshall, Mayes, McClain, McCurtain, McIntosh, Murray, Muskogee, Noble, Nowata, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Payne, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Pushmataha, Rogers, Seminole, Sequoya, Tulsa, Wagoner, Washington
Los Angeles, CA
(213) 351-6800 ext. 2518 (213) 351-2114
Notifications for Los Angeles County
McAllen, TX
(956) 686-0243 (956) 686-0244 (956) 686-0554 (956) 686-4901
Notifications for Brooks, Hidalgo and Starr counties in TEXAS
Miami, FL
(786) 268-4900 (786) 268-4895
Notifications for the following counties in FLORIDA – Broward, Collier, Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie
Milwaukee, WI
(786) 268-4900 (786) 268-4895
WISCONSIN: Adams, Ashland, Brown, Calumet, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Eauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, Taylor, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood
MICHIGAN: Alger, Baraga, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee, Ontogagon, Schoolcraft
New Orleans, LA
(504) 528-3722
Notifications for LOUISIANA and MISSISSIPPI
New York, NY
(212) 217-6400 (212) 217-6493
Notifications for CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK STATE and the following counties in NEW JERSEY – Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren
Nogales, AZ
(520) 287-2521 (520) 287-3381 (520) 287-3386 (520) 287-3175
Santa Cruz County, the border crossing at Sasabe, the city of Green Valley in Pima County
Omaha, NE
(402) 595-1841 (402) 595-1844 (402) 595-1845
Notifications for IOWA and NEBRASKA
Orlando, FL
(407) 422-0514 (407) 422-9633
Notifications for the following counties in FLORIDA – Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Desoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gasden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Okaloosa, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putman, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Seminole, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Walton, Wakulla, Washington
Oxnard, CA
(805) 984-8738 (805) 984-8747
Notifications for the following counties in CALIFORNIA – Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 922-4262 (215) 923-7281
Notifications for DELAWARE, PENNSYLVANIA and the following counties in NEW JERSEY – Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, Salem
Phoenix, AZ
(602) 242-7398 (602) 242-3649
Notifications the following counties in ARIZONA – Apache, Coconino, Gila, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Yavapai
Portland, OR
(503) 274-1442 (503) 274-1540
Notifications for OREGON
Presidio, TX
(432) 229-2788 (432) 229-2792
Notifications for the following counties in TEXAS – Brewster, Crane, Culberson, Ector, Glasscock, Jeff Davis, Loving, Midland, Presidio, Reagan, Reaves, Upton, Ward, Winkler
Raleigh, NC
(919) 615-3653 (919) 803-4927
Notifications for NORTH CAROLINA and SOUTH CAROLINA - Consul General of Mexico
Sacramento, CA
(916) 329-3500 (916) 419-9417
Notifications for the following counties in CALIFORNIA – Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Stanislaus, Tehama, Toulumne, Yolo, Yuba
Saint Paul, MN
(651) 771-5494 (651) 772-4419
Notifications for MINNESOTA, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, and the following counties in WISCONSIN – Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Polk, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Washburn
Salt Lake City, UT
(801) 521-8502/8503 (801) 521-0534
Notifications for the following counties –
UTAH: All counties
Notifications for the following counties in WYOMING – Big Horn, Fremont, Hot Springs, Lincoln, Park, Sublette, Sweetwater, Teton, Uinta, Washakie, Yellowstone
San Antonio, TX
(210) 227-9145 (210) 227-1817
Notifications for the following counties in TEXAS – Aransas, Atascosa, Bandera, Bee, Bexar, Comal, DeWitt, Frio, Gillespie, Goliad, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kleberg, Live Oak, McCulloch, Mason, Medina, Menard, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Wilson
San Bernardino, CA
(909) 384-8114 (909) 889-9836 (909) 889-9837 (909) 889-8285
Notifications for San Bernardino and Riverside counties in CALIFORNIA
San Diego, CA
(619) 231-8414 (619) 231-4802
Notifications for San Diego County in CALIFORNIA
San Francisco, CA
(415) 354-1700
Notifications for the following counties –
HAWAI'I: All counties
Notifications for the following counties in CALIFORNIA:
Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Solano, Sonoma, Trinity
San Jose, CA
(408) 294-3414 (408) 294-3415 (408) 294-4506
Notifications for the following counties in CALIFORNIA – Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz
San Juan, PR
(787) 764-8923 (787) 764-0258 (787) 250-0042
Notifications for PR and USVI
Santa Ana, CA
(714) 835-3069 (714) 835-3472
Notifications for Orange County, CALIFORNIA
Seattle, WA
(206) 448-3526 (206) 448-4771
Notifications for ALASKA and WASHINGTON STATE
Tucson, AZ
(520) 882-5595 (520) 882-8959
Notifications for Pinal and Pima Counties, the Lukeville border crossing
Yuma, AZ
(928) 343-0066(928) 343-0077
Notifications for La Paz and Yuma Counties, and the Lukeville border crossing from Pima County
Reciprocity: What's New
Temporary Reciprocity Schedule
Country Acronyms
Presidential Proclamations
Terrorist Designation Lists
State Sponsors of Terrorism
Treaty Countries
Visa Issuing Posts
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.
Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.
You are about to visit: