How to Get and Renew a Mexican Passport

A Mexican passport is a travel document that can unlock practical opportunities for Mexican citizens, dual citizens, and children of Mexican parents.

With it, you can travel internationally with fewer restrictions, prove your nationality when visiting or living in Mexico, and take care of important tasks like opening a bank account in Mexico or transferring money abroad.

And if you’re currently living in the United States, you don’t need to travel to Mexico to apply for or renew your passport. Your local Mexican consulate can help with the process.

Knowing how to get a Mexican passport means having the freedom and flexibility to move, work, and stay connected across borders. Let’s explore what you need to know about the process.

Key takeaways

• You don’t need to travel to Mexican to get a Mexican passport. Applications and renewals are handled through Mexican consulates in the U.S.
• Eligible applicants include Mexicans by birth, naturalized citizens, and U.S.-born children of Mexican parents through birthright citizenship.
• A Mexican passport offers benefits beyond travel, including official proof of nationality, valid ID in Mexico, and easier banking and money transfers.
• The application process includes booking an appointment at a consulate, bringing required documents, completing and signing an application, providing fingerprints and a photo, and paying a fee.

Who can apply for a Mexican passport in the U.S.?

The first step in learning how to get a Mexican passport in the United States is to determine if you’re even eligible.

As we’ve noted, you don’t have to be living in Mexico to get a Mexican passport, but you do have to be part of an eligible group. You can apply for a passport at a Mexican consulate in the U.S. if you fall into one of these categories:

• Mexicans by birth: Anyone born in Mexico who can present valid proof of nationality.
• Naturalized Mexican citizens: People who obtained Mexican citizenship through the naturalization process.
• Children born abroad to Mexican parents: This includes U.S. citizens with Mexican heritage. For example, someone born in California to Mexican-born parents is typically eligible under birthright citizenship, even if they’ve never lived in Mexico.

If you can establish your Mexican nationality through documents like a birth certificate or naturalization papers, you can apply directly through your nearest consulate without having to travel south of the U.S. border.

Benefits of having a Mexican passport

A Mexican passport confirms your nationality and opens up practical advantages for travel, identity, and financial access. Some of the key benefits of having a Mexican passport include:

• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to more than 150 countries, making international trips easier.
• Official proof of Mexican nationality, which can simplify legal matters like property ownership or inheritance in Mexico.
• Valid identification for everyday needs in Mexico, from healthcare and education to general government services.
• Easier banking access, allowing you to transfer money to a Mexican bank account or manage finances across the border when you have a passport.

For anyone with ties to Mexico living in the U.S., a passport helps you stay connected and more seamlessly manage life on both sides of the border.

How to apply for a Mexican passport in the U.S.

You can get a Mexican passport as a U.S. citizen through Mexican consulates, without having to cross the border to apply. Here’s how to process typically goes:

1. Schedule an appointment

Kick things off by scheduling time at your nearest Mexican consulate. These are official government offices of Mexico located outside the country, including locations in the U.S.

Appointments with a consulate closest to you can be made through the official MiConsulado portal or by phone at (424) 309-0009. Be sure to plan far ahead as spots can fill quickly.

2. Gather your documents

When visiting the consulate, you’ll need to provide proof of Mexican nationality (such as a birth certificate or naturalization document), a valid photo ID, and proof of a U.S. address. If you already have a Mexican passport, bring it with you even if it’s expired. Some consulates take photos on-site, while others may require you to bring your own. Ask about this when booking your appointment.

3. Complete your application

Bring all your documents and payment to the consulate. At your appointment, a member of the staff will provide you with the application form, review your paperwork, take your fingerprints, and capture your photo, if needed.

Consulates provide the passport application (often called Form OP-5) that you’ll fill out and sign during your appointment.

4. Pay the passport fee

The cost of your Mexican passport depends on the length of validity you choose. Typically, you can pick 1-year ($42), 3-year ($99), 6-year ($133), and 10-year ($203) passport options. Payment for these fees is usually accepted in U.S. dollars, either by card or money order. Cash may or may not be accepted in specific locations.

5. Receive your passport

Once everything’s approved, the Mexican government will issue your passport. In rare cases, consulates may issue passports the same day, but most are issued between 2 to 6 weeks after approval. Processing times vary by location, however, and final passports may be mailed to the consulate for pickup or sent directly to applicants. Check with your consulate for details.

How to renew a Mexican passport in the U.S.

Whether your passport is expired or about to expire, a Mexican passport renewal is more straightforward than starting from scratch.

You’ll still need to visit a Mexican consulate, but if you bring your most recent passport along with your ID and a proof of address, you usually don’t need to show other documents. Consulates already have your identity and biometric record on file, which often speeds up the process.

Renew your Mexican passport by following these steps:

1. Schedule your appointment. Use the MiConsulado portal or call (424) 309-0009 to schedule time at your nearest consulate.
2. Gather your documents. Bring your expired passport (your main proof of nationality), a valid photo ID, proof of residence, and payment. Skip parental or citizenship documents unless otherwise instructed.
3. Visit the consulate. On the date of your appointment, they will collect your documents, take your biometric data (fingerprints and a photo), and process your payment.
4. Get your passport. Usually, you’ll have to come back in 2 to 6 weeks to pick it up unless they’re able to ship it to you.

How a Mexican passport supports your banking and money transfers

A valid Mexican passport can also make financial life a lot easier. With it, you can:

• Verify your identity: Your passport is one of the most widely accepted IDs in Mexico, making everyday transactions more secure.
• Open a bank account in Mexico: Banks require an official ID, and showing a passport is often the simplest way to get access to savings accounts, debit cards, Mexican currency, and online banking.
• Simplify transactions across the border: Once your account is set up, it’s easier to move funds and manage expenses in both Mexico and the U.S.
• Send money to Mexico: Whether you’re paying bills, covering family expenses, or investing in property, your passport helps ensure money transfers are quick, reliable, and secure.

Think of your passport as a financial key that helps you stay connected and in control of your money, no matter where you live.

Tips and considerations for applicants in the U.S.

Whether you’re applying for the first time or handling a Mexican passport renewal, a little preparation can make the process smoother. Keep these tips in mind:

• Plan ahead: Consulate appointments are limited and can fill up weeks in advance, and passports are rarely issued on the same day. Schedule as early as possible, especially before peak travel seasons.
• Bring the right payment: Check your consulate’s accepted methods (cash, card, or money order in U.S. dollars) before your visit.
• Keep extra copies: Save both paper and digital copies of your passport. They can help if your passport is lost or stolen.
• Stay consistent with your documents: Make sure your name, date of birth, and other details match across all your documents (i.e., your passport, ID, and proof of address) to avoid delays.
• Use your passport for financial access: With a valid Mexican passport, you can open bank accounts in Mexico and manage finances across the border.

A little preparation goes a long way. These steps save time at your appointment and help you get the most out of your passport.

Planning your next steps

Now that you know how to get a Mexican passport, start the process yourself by scheduling your appointment at a consulate and preparing your documents. Once you have your passport in hand, you’ll be ready to travel freely, access financial services, and manage life on both sides of the border.