Eligibility Quiz
Was at least one of your parents born in Mexico?
Requirements
To qualify for Mexican nationality through this pathway, you must fall into one of the following categories:
- Born to a Mexican-born parent: At least one of your parents was born on Mexican territory.
- Born to a naturalized Mexican parent: At least one of your parents became a Mexican citizen through naturalization before you were born.
- Born to a "Mexican by birth" parent (born abroad): If your parent was born outside of Mexico but is a Mexican citizen because their own parent (your grandparent) was Mexican, you are eligible.
Key Thresholds and Conditions
- The 2021 Constitutional Reform: Prior to May 18, 2021, Mexican nationality could generally only be passed to one generation born abroad. A landmark amendment removed this limit. You can now claim citizenship even if your parent was also born abroad, provided they are registered as a Mexican citizen.
- The Chain of Registration: You cannot "skip" a generation. If your grandparent was the last person born in Mexico, your parent must be registered as a Mexican citizen before you can claim your own citizenship.
- No Age Limit: You can claim your Mexican nationality at any age. There is no requirement to apply before you turn 18.
- Dual Nationality: Mexico fully permits dual nationality for those who are Mexican by birth. You are not required to renounce your current citizenship or passport to claim your Mexican rights.
Conditions & Warnings
1
The 2021 reform allows for unlimited generations, but you cannot skip a generation; each ancestor in the chain must be registered as a Mexican citizen before the next can apply.
2
Name discrepancies between foreign birth certificates and Mexican parental documents are the most common cause of rejection and require a documented legal chain of name changes.
Qualifications
Generation limit
No generation limit
Minimum residency
Not required
Language
Not required
No language test is required for citizenship by descent (nationality by birth).
Fees
Application fees
$0
The initial registration and first copy of the birth certificate are free of charge at consulates; subsequent copies cost approximately $15-$20 USD.
Program Details
Program type
Citizenship
Status
Active since May 18, 2021
Processing time
1–3 months
Apply via
ConsulateIn-country