Apostille & Translation for Mexico Residency — INM Applications
US, Canadian, and UK documents apostilled and certified-translated for Mexico temporary and permanent residency applications. FBI check, birth certificates, bank statements — complete INM-ready package.
- FBI federal apostille handled
- Canada 2024 apostille covered
- SRE-certified translations
- INM-ready package delivered
What type of Mexico residency are you applying for?
Step 1 of 4
What type of Mexico residency are you applying for?
Mexico residency: key document requirements by country of origin
INM accepts apostilled documents from all Hague Convention member countries. The apostille authority and process depends on where your documents were issued.
Required documents
| Document | Issuing authority | Estimated time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign birth certificate — apostilled | Apostille authority of the issuing country | Before INM appointment | Mexico accepts apostilled birth certificates from all Hague Convention member countries. USA: state Secretary of State apostille. Canada: Global Affairs Canada apostille (since 2024). UK: FCDO apostille. |
| Criminal record certificate — apostilled | National police authority of country of origin | Within 6 months of INM submission | INM requires apostilled criminal record certificates for residency applications. For US applicants: FBI Identity History Summary with US State Dept. federal apostille. Background checks from non-Hague countries require consular legalization at the Mexican consulate in that country. |
| Proof of financial solvency | Bank or employer | Last 3–6 months | Bank statements showing consistent income or savings. For rentista (passive income) visa: typically ~$2,700 USD/month minimum. English-language bank statements require certified Spanish translation for INM. |
| Certified Spanish translation (if documents are in English or other language) | SRE-certified translator (Mexico) | 1–2 business days | INM requires certified Spanish translations of all foreign-language documents. Mexico uses translators certified by the SRE (Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores) — not USCIS-certified or MAEUEC-certified translators. |
How the process works
Mexico offers several residency routes: Temporary Resident (rentista, work, student, investor — up to 4 years), Permanent Resident (after 4 years of temporary, or for nationals of certain countries), and Family Unity. Each has different document requirements.
US applicants: FBI check goes to the US State Dept. (federal apostille); birth certificates go to the Secretary of State of the issuing state. Canadian applicants: documents go to Global Affairs Canada (Mexico member since 2024). UK: FCDO Legalisation Office.
INM Mexico requires translations by translators certified by Mexico's SRE — not by MAEUEC (Spain) or USCIS-certified translators. We work with SRE-certified translators for English, Portuguese, French, and other languages.
The application starts at the Mexican consulate in your country (for applications outside Mexico) or at an INM office (for those already in Mexico on tourist status). We deliver the apostilled and translated document package in the format required by each route.
Official sources & authorities
Information on this page is based on procedures from recognized government and intergovernmental bodies — not third-party estimates.
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Reviewed by
Laura ChenLegal Document Expert
Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.
Frequently asked questions
What documents does Mexico INM require for a temporary residency visa?
Requirements vary by category, but the core documents are: valid passport, apostilled birth certificate from your country of origin, apostilled criminal record certificate (FBI check for US applicants), and proof of financial solvency (bank statements or pension letters). If documents are in English or another language, certified Spanish translation by an SRE-certified translator is required.
Does my FBI background check need apostille for Mexico?
Yes. Mexico requires apostilled criminal records for residency applications. For US applicants, the FBI Identity History Summary (background check) requires the federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications — not a state Secretary of State. This is the same federal apostille process as for Spain.
Does Canada need apostille for Mexico applications now?
Yes — Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention on January 11, 2024. Canadian documents (birth certificates, criminal records, marriage certificates) are now apostilled by Global Affairs Canada rather than going through the consular legalization chain. This simplified the process significantly for Canadian applicants for Mexico residency.
Do I need to apply at a Mexican consulate or can I apply inside Mexico?
Both are possible. If you are outside Mexico, you apply at the Mexican consulate in your country and receive a visa valid for initial entry. If you are already in Mexico on a tourist permit (FMM), some categories allow you to convert to temporary residence directly at an INM office — but this requires you to have entered with the intention of staying and before your tourist permit expires.
What is the rentista residency and what are the income requirements?
The rentista (passive income) category is for people who live off passive income — pensions, rental income, investment returns — without working in Mexico. The financial requirement is approximately $2,700 USD per month in passive income (or equivalent savings). Bank statements must cover the last 3–6 months and, if in English, require certified Spanish translation.
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