Mexico is probably one of the most stereotyped and misrepresented countries in the world, but did you know that it’s also where most American expats choose to move? According to World Population Review, 26% of all expats in Mexico are American!
It’s fair to say that some Americans have gone south for love after marrying a Mexican citizen. If you’re from the U.S., you might even know a few people who have tied the knot with a Mexican. While Mexicans often want American passports to build a life in the U.S., Americans who marry Mexicans also obtain a valuable asset: Mexican citizenship by marriage.
In this article, I’ll guide you through the steps and requirements for obtaining Mexican citizenship through marriage. This will enable you to get one of the strongest passports in the world and legally call Mexico your second home.
As the saying goes, ‘Love can overcome anything,’ and for many people, it can even lead to a new citizenship. Being married to a Mexican citizen will teach you much about Mexican culture, but it can also make Mexico your home. Your marriage can offer a fast-track route to legal residency and, eventually, to citizenship in the country.
Citizenship by marriage is a legal process that allows foreign spouses of (in this case) Mexican citizens to obtain a Mexican passport. This will enable you to live and work freely in Mexico and hold dual citizenship. The Mexican passport is also one of the strongest in the world, providing visa-free access to over 120 countries and the right to hold other citizenships. It is a solid addition to your passport portfolio.
Apart from being married to a Mexican citizen, here are the requirements needed to obtain Mexican citizenship through marriage:
You must be of legal age (18 years or older) with full civil rights.
Submit a DNN-3 application form, including an original and a copy.
Provide proof of residency (the original and two copies of ID issued by Mexico’s Ministry of the Interior showing you’ve lived in Mexico for two years).
Present a foreign birth certificate (the original and one copy) authenticated and translated into Spanish. (Two copies of the birth certificate will be accepted as an exception for anyone with Refugee status.)
Submit copies of your passport (the original and two copies of all pages). If your passport was recently issued, include copies of the previous passport or migratory flow record.
Provide a marriage certificate (a certified copy and two photocopies showing proof of marriage for at least two years).
Verify your spouse's Mexican nationality with a birth certificate, nationality certificate, or naturalization document.
Provide a sworn statement from the Mexican spouse confirming cohabitation in Mexico for at least two years.
Submit the Mexican spouse’s photo ID (the original and two copies). If the document is a voting ID, the address must match the applicant's.
Document your entries and exits from Mexico over the past two years.
Provide a criminal record certificate from federal and local authorities.
Pass exams on Spanish language, Mexican history, and culture.
Include two recent passport photos.
Submit CURP (Mexican ID) copies (two copies).
Include proof of payment for the application fee.
If you fail any exam, you must wait at least 15 days to retake it. After two attempts, you must wait a year to reapply.
Refugees, minors, and seniors over sixty must only demonstrate Spanish language proficiency.
Learn how to obtain Mexican citizenship through marriage. Follow the step-by-step process, from pre-registration to exams, and secure your naturalization certificate
Obtaining Mexican citizenship by marriage requires in-person attendance at one of the relevant passport offices throughout the country (Ciudad de México, Hidalgo, Yucatán, or Nuevo León). Here’s the step-by-step process:
Choose the date and time for your appointment at your chosen office.
Register with an email address. You will receive your reference number and appointment confirmation for the day of your appointment.
Note that appointments are scheduled based on availability.
Come to the office of choice on your appointment day with your spouse.
Bring a completed DNN3 naturalization form (available for download at pre-registration).
Provide duplicates of all required documents according to nationality laws.
Bring the original passport or residence card for verification against the copies.
Your foreign passport or travel document must be valid for at least 45 business days.
Criminal record certificates must have been issued within the last three months.
Once the documentation requirements have been met, the next step is to take two exams:
The Mexican History and Culture Exam consists of 10 questions. You’ll need a minimum of eight correct answers to pass.
The Spanish Language Exam includes an interview, reading comprehension, and a writing section. The exam lasts 10 minutes, and you’ll need 5 out of 6 points to pass.
To prepare for the exams, check the bibliography here.
Exemptions: Applicants over 60 are exempt from the history exam but must pass the Spanish language exam.
You are allowed two attempts for each exam. If you fail both attempts, you must wait one year to reapply.
Missing a scheduled appointment counts as a forfeited attempt.
Once all documents are submitted, the formal application review begins.
You can track your application status online through the ‘Sistema Integral de Nacionalidad y Naturalización’ (SINNA), for which you’ll receive an email notification with your username and password.
If approved, you will receive a final appointment to collect your naturalization certificate.
Unlock your Mexican citizenship by ancestry! Gather documents, attend an appointment, and get your birth certificate in 5 days
Many Americans are married to a spouse with Mexican ancestry, which would mean they, too, could gain Mexican citizenship by marriage if their spouse can first claim their Mexican passport. For American citizens born and raised in the U.S. to Mexican parents, it is relatively easy to claim a Mexican passport. If this applies to you, here’s a brief overview of the documents you’ll need to gather:
ID (e.g., passport, driver’s licence, or state ID)
Complete the birth registration application
Birth certificate
Parents’ birth certificates
Parents’ ID (e.g., passport or voter ID)
Note: You will need two copies of each document.
Two witnesses are required to attend the registration appointment. Both witnesses must show official ID with a photo and signature.
Book an appointment at https://citas.sre.gob.mx or https://wa.me/14243090009, or by calling 1(424)-309-0009
Gather all required documents
On the appointment day, you, your parents, and two witnesses must appear
Obtain your Mexican birth certificate after five business days
Follow these steps to obtain Mexican citizenship by marriage and secure a top-tier passport. Get started with our free guide today!
Obtaining Mexican citizenship by marriage can be a life-changing opportunity. Follow the steps above carefully, and you’ll be on track to getting one of the strongest passports in the world.
Remember that immigration is one of our strengths here at Expat Money. We have helped dozens of clients get second passports to secure their new lives abroad. If you want a second passport, our free guide, ‘Plan-B Residencies & Instant Citizenships,’ is the best place to start.