Government of Canada services and information in Mexico City, Mexico

Adoption

Refer to International adoption.

If you’re a Canadian parent who adopted a child born outside Canada, your child

• is not automatically a Canadian citizen;
• needs to become a Canadian citizen to get the citizenship certificate;
• If you apply for a certificate directly, we’ll return your application.

Surrogacy

Mexican law on surrogacy is under development. Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR), including surrogacy, might only be recognized in some Mexican states. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with Mexican laws and regulations governing this process and to ensure you will meet all legal requirements to take the newborn child out of Mexico before you start the surrogacy process. It is recommended that Canadians visiting Mexico for the purposes of commercial surrogacy arrangements seek independent legal advice before entering into any agreement. A list of local lawyers who speak English and/or French is available at Ask Travel.

After a child is born through surrogacy, parents may request proof of Canadian citizenship and a Canadian passport for the child. See the Citizenship section.

If you need to travel prior to receiving the citizenship certificate, you may apply for a Canadian passport for the child, provided that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has made a decision on the Application for a Citizenship Certificate, and you provided documentary evidence to support your request for passport issuance (e.g. proof of travel, etc…).

For more information, see Canadian citizenship.

Refer to Children born outside of Canada.

To apply for, replace or update a Canadian Citizenship Certificate, visit Immigration and citizenship for Canadians. Click on Get proof of citizenship to ensure you download the corresponding IRCC application package or form.

If you are a Canadian citizen and would like to apply for a certificate of Canadian citizenship for your child born abroad, please download form CIT0001.

Submit your application along with the following documents:

• a copy of a document proving that one or both of the parents was a Canadian citizen when the child was born (citizenship certificate or Canadian birth certificate);
• each parent should submit a copy of one piece of valid personal identification (i.e. a passport, driver's license or a voting card [INE]);
• original birth certificate of the child which lists the parents (issued by government authorities in the country where the child was born), with an official and certified English or French translation, and an affidavit from the translator sworn in the presence of a notary public or a consular agent of one of our consular points of service in Mexico (by appointment only).
• two identifications of the child (one of the identifications must contain a photo)
  For children under 7 years old, a letter from the pediatrician containing a photo is acceptable.
• Two identical colour (printed) photos taken within the last 6 months, according to Citizenship photo specifications - Canada.ca
• Application fee receipt ($75 CAD). Pay your application fees online and make sure to include your payment receipt along with your complete application when you submit it (in person or by mail).

Book an appointment (only at the Canadian Embassy in Mexico City) to present your documents in person or submit them by courier to the Consular Section at the following address:

Embajada de Canadá en México

Sección Consular (Ciudadanía)

Schiller 529, Col. Bosque de Chapultepec (Polanco) Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo

11580 Ciudad de México, México.

Important: If you have already applied on paper to the Embassy, do not apply online for the same request. If so, IRCC will not process your online application

About the process

IRCC will send you an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) letter or email to inform you that your application has been received and that it is complete. Your acknowledgement of receipt letter will include your unique client identifier (UCI) and an application number that you can use to check your application status online. Be sure to check your junk mail/spam e-mail folder to see if your letter has been sent to that mailbox.

Processing time

Please consult the IRCC website Check processing times. We are unable to provide updates by phone or email on passport or citizenship applications that have been submitted.

Useful links

Use the Am I Canadian? tool to determine your eligibility for Canadian citizenship.

See the IRCC Citizenship Help Centre for more information.

What if I Die in Mexico?

Many Canadian citizens work in Mexico or have retired to live here. As death is a natural part of life, it makes sense for those living here to prepare for the possibility that they may also die here. These tips will help you, your family and friends know what to do.

Plan in advance:

• Register for Registration of Canadians Abroad.
• Always include an emergency contact name in your passport application form.
• Buy life insurance and review the company’s policy about funeral arrangements. Give family and friends who may be beneficiaries of payments from your insurance or bank accounts the necessary documents and ask them to be prepared to provide identification and documents to prove your relationship.
• Appoint a representative who will act as the main point of contact with the Mexican authorities after your death and will be in charge of your funeral arrangements, credit cards, banking, insurance, etc. Inform this person that you are appointing him or her your representative so that he or she can be prepared.
• Make a notarized power of attorney for your representative. If he or she is not in Mexico, identify someone in Mexico who can care for your property and valuables until your representative arrives. If you choose to have the power of attorney prepared in Canada, this document must be apostilled in Canada, please refer to the website Changes to authentication services in Canada. Then, you need to translate the document into Spanish for use in Mexico.
• Keep your original long form birth and marriage certificates where your representative will know where to find them. If they are Canadian documents, have them translated into Spanish and have them apostilled.
• Mexican authorities often request identification documents both for the deceased and for the family member or the representative collecting the body. Your representative should be prepared to provide the necessary passports, long form birth certificates and marriage certificates.
• Make your funeral preparations in advance, or clearly identify your wishes in your will. Some funeral homes, especially those in large expat communities, offer programs where you can pre-pay funeral services. These programs may sometimes help with post-death legal procedures as well.
• Make your will. If you have property or bank accounts in Mexico, you should have wills in both Mexico and Canada. Make sure your representative knows where to find them.
• When you open a bank account in Mexico, you must designate one or more beneficiaries. If you draw up a will after the bank account is opened and change your beneficiaries, it is very important to change them at the bank as well. Make sure your beneficiaries' names match those on their passports.
• Common-law relationships and same-sex marriages might not be recognized by Mexican authorities, and not all live-in partners are considered legal next of kin. Clearly indicate in your will if your partner is to be your representative to ensure that he or she will be able to carry out your wishes without problems. If your partner is not legally accepted as your next of kin, a Canadian consular point of service in Mexico can help to notify your next of kin.

After your death:

• In Mexico, only your legal next of kin can request interment/cremation services.
• If your remains are to be returned to Canada, make sure that you have identified funeral homes in both Mexico and Canada. If your ashes are to be repatriated, there is no need to contact a Canadian funeral home. Mexican funeral homes will expect payment in advance and your representative should be prepared to cover these costs if you have not already done so. Depending on your wishes, it could cost up to $10,000 to repatriate your remains.
• An autopsy may be mandatory in Mexico, depending on the circumstances of your death. If the cause of death is not natural, cremation will not be authorized by the Mexican authorities. If you die of natural causes, having a familiar doctor at hand to sign the death certificate may help.
• The funeral home will provide your representative with one death certificate. Extra copies of the death certificate can be obtained through the funeral home for a fee. It is possible that institutions in Canada will request:
• a certified copy of the death certificate (produced by the Mexican Civil Registry), and/or a translation from Spanish. It is therefore important that your representative obtains plenty of copies.
• Apostille of the Mexican death certificate. This procedure can only be done in Mexico by the competent state authorities, you may wish to consult the State directory (in Spanish only).

• Canadian consular points of service in Mexico do not provide death certificates, but can provide a list of official translators. The translation can also be done in Canada.

• Your representative should bring your passport to a Canadian consular point of service in Mexico to be cancelled. They will return the cancelled passport to you on request. If there isn’t an office nearby, you can have this procedure done at any passport office in Canada.
• Consular officers do not give legal advice nor can it intervene in private legal processes. To change the title or ownership of a property or settle an estate in Mexico, you should contact a local lawyer or Notaria Publica. A Canadian consular point of service in Mexico can provide a list of local lawyers.
• If you have any concerns, we recommended that you also seek legal advice in both Canada and Mexico.

For more information on what to do if you are the next of kin or representative of a Canadian who has died outside Canada, please visit the website Death outside Canada.

Refer to Marriage outside Canada.

Marriage and divorce proceedings in Mexico fall under local State law and while the requirements are generally the same in all 31 states and the Federal District of the Republic, there could be some slight variations depending on the State. It is strongly advised that you contact the local "Registro Civil" of the city where you intend to hold the ceremony in order to obtain complete information (there are "Oficinas del Registro Civil" in each city in Mexico).

Only civil marriage is legally recognized in Mexico. A religious ceremony may be performed after presenting proof of a civil marriage, but this is without legal effect and does not replace the former. A civil wedding in Mexico is recognized in Canada.

Note: A marriage occurring in one state in Mexico cannot be legally registered in another state, nor in the Federal District.

To obtain a divorce in Mexico, you must be a resident of Mexico. Usually this process takes several months and you must reside here for at least 6 months before applying for the divorce. You may wish to retain an attorney in Mexico with experience in divorce proceedings.

For further information about the requirements for foreigners who wish to marry in Mexico visit the webpage of the Embassy of Mexico in Canada.

This office provides certain notarial services (fees apply), by appointment only, to Canadian citizens and, in limited cases, to non-Canadian citizens if the documents are intended for use in Canada. Please contact us at mxicocs@international.gc.ca prior to booking an appointment.

Note: Canada joined the Apostille Convention and it came into effect on January 11, 2024. The new Apostille process now replaces the authentication and/or legalization services previously available at this office.

Canadian documents for legal use in Mexico or in any country member of the Apostille Convention.

In Canada

Please consult the website Changes to authentication services in Canada to obtain information on how to apply and obtain an apostille for your Canadian document.

In Mexico

This office can only issue apostilles for certain Canadian original documents, such as long form birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates from any province/territory or RCMP criminal records issued in Ottawa*. A scanned copy of the document should be sent to this office at mxicocs@international.gc.ca beforehand to ensure the service can be provided.
*Non-exhaustive list

Mexican documents for legal use in Canada

Canadian law does not require the authentication or apostille of foreign public documents before they can be used in Canada. However, some individuals or institutions in Canada may require it.

Mexico is also a member of the Apostille Convention. If your Mexican document was issued by federal authorities you can apply for an apostille at the Secretaría de Gobernación (in Spanish only). If your Mexican document was issued by state authorities you will need to refer to the competent state authorities, you may wish to consult the State directory (in Spanish only).

Other services

1. Certification of Signatures/Affidavits /Sworn statement: on documents to be presented in Canada, you may need to have your signature certified by a Consular Officer. A scanned copy of the document should be sent to the Embassy at mxicocs@international.gc.ca beforehand to ensure the service can be provided.
2. Certified copies of certain Canadian documents: a scanned copy of the document should be sent to the Embassy at mxicocs@international.gc.ca beforehand to ensure the service can be provided.

Mexican citizens that require a notarized letter for their child or children to be able to travel to Canada must go to a Mexican Public Notary. The consular section of the Embassy of Canada in Mexico is not able to provide this service.

If you still have questions, please contact us at mxicocs@international.gc.ca.

Canadian citizens in Mexico

To obtain or renew a Canadian passport while abroad read carefully the instructions contained in passport application forms below, fill the form and gather all necessary documents you will have to provide with your application form (proof of Canadian citizenship, photos, supporting identification, etc.)

For children’s passports

• A photocopy of an identity document of both parents (signed by the guarantor) is required along with the passport application.
• If your child was born outside Canada, you can apply for a passport for them once they have received their Canadian citizenship certificate. See Citizenship services for more information.
• It is possible to apply for a passport for a child born outside of Canada without a citizenship certificate if the child is under 2 years old and you have already applied for the child’s citizenship. If this situation applies to you, please send an email to MXICOCS@international.gc.ca to obtain further information on the additional requirements.

• New: Starting November 5, 2024, proof of parentage will be required with every child passport application.

Instructions

1. Select and download the appropriate application form:

• Adult Abroad Simplified Renewal passport application
• Adult Abroad General passport application

• Child Abroad General passport application (under 16 years of age). Note: Please check children’s passport section above before submitting a child passport application.

2. Pay your fees. You must pay online for all your passport services.

• Make sure to include your payment receipt along with your complete application when you submit it. Applications without proof of payment will not be accepted.

3. Submit your complete application by mail or in person.

• By mail: You can send your application by mail to:
  
  Embajada de Canadá en México
  Sección Consular (Pasaportes)
  Schiller 529, Col. Bosque de Chapultepec (Polanco) Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo
  11580 Ciudad de México, México.
  
  Track with the courier company of your choice the status of your shipment. Our office will not respond to enquires asking about the reception of your documents. Your passport and original documents will be returned to you by DHL, Estafeta or Fedex if you live outside of Mexico City. You do not have to provide an envelope or pay extra fees for this service.

Important: Provide your complete return mailing address on a separate piece of paper along with your application and the online payment receipt.

• In person: Book an appointment to present your documents in person. If you choose to pick up your passport in person, you will receive an email when your passport is ready. Book another appointment to pick up the documents.
  Note: Clients presenting themselves at the Embassy without an appointment to apply for a passport will not be attended.

Processing time

The processing time for a passport application is currently 20 business days, excluding holidays and postal delivery time, upon reception of a complete application*.

* Incomplete applications will be returned to sender.

Lost and stolen passports

If your valid passport is lost or stolen, send an email to mxicocs@international.gc.ca with your:

• full name
• birth date
• travel itinerary
• explanation of your situation
• police report (recommended)

Our staff will then let you know how to proceed. A PPTC 203 declaration will also be required to request a replacement of lost, stolen or inaccessible valid passport.

In some cases, it may be necessary for you to reschedule your travel plans.

Emergency passport application

If your application is urgent and you must travel in less than 20 working days, please email mxicocs@international.gc.ca to give us details on your emergency.

Note: Although our offices offer travel document options for urgent cases, these are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Having a flight ticket does not guarantee that your case will be treated as urgent.

Passports - Frequently asked questions

• Who can act as a guarantor?
• I can’t find a guarantor, what can I do?
• Who can act as a reference?
• References are not required to reside in Mexico or in Canada, nor are they required to be Canadian citizens.
• Do dual Canadian citizens need a valid Canadian passport?
• I have changed my surname. Can I obtain a new passport?
• What proof of Canadian citizenship is acceptable?
• What are the photo requirements?
• In the event of separation or divorce, who can apply for a passport on behalf of a child?

Refer to Benefits for Canadians living abroad.

Refer to:

• Studying abroad
• EduCanada
• Studying and working in Canada as an international student
• The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) is an International Referral Gateway for information on studying in Canada, working in Canada, and foreign academic credentials assessment and recognition. CICIC is a unit of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC).
• Languages Canada offers information on English and French language programs and schools.

Applying for a study permit in Canada

If you are going to study in Canada for 6 months or less, Mexican citizens must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

If you need a visa to travel to Canada, apply for a temporary resident visa.

If you are going to study in Canada for more than 6 months you need to apply for a study permit.

• Processing fees – how much it will cost and where to pay
• Processing times – how long it will take to get a study permit
• Protect yourself from immigration fraud
• Immigration representative. Who can represent you?

Education and youth programs in Canada

• International Scholarships are available for the best and brightest international students and researchers to study and conduct research in Canada.
• To study and work in Canada, you must be a full time student at a designated institution.

For more information: mxicomec@international.gc.ca

Please do not phone or e-mail the Canadian Embassy regarding visa matters unless necessary. Our Visa Section staff will be devoted to processing applications and may be unable to answer your enquiries. Staff in other sections of the Embassy are not able to assist in visa matters.

Refer to Travel documents – Visas.

• Apply to travel, study, work or immigrate to Canada.
• Find a visa application centre (VAC) to book an appointment to give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo).
• Submit an enquiry using the IRCC web form to contact a visa office.

Permanent residents of Canada: Find out how to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD).

Refer to Voting in an election while outside Canada.