Can I keep my US passport?
Yes. Mexico’s constitution says no Mexican by birth can be deprived of their nationality, and Mexico accepts dual nationality. The US allows it too.
My grandparents were Mexican but my parents were born in the US. Does the 2021 change help me?
Yes, very likely. Your parents are now Mexican by birth through their Mexican parent. Once they register, you can register through them.
I’m an adult. Do my parents still need to come?
Adults can usually attend alone. If your parents weren’t married before you were born, your father may need to attend or sign a power of attorney. Rules differ between consulates, so check yours before booking.
How much does it cost?
Registering the birth and your first certified copy are free. Extra copies cost about US$20 each, and a 10-year Mexican passport costs about US$209 at US consulates (2026).
Does Mexico expect anything of me as a Mexican?
Men aged 18 to 40 must register for national military service, even if they live abroad, through a consulate. And in Mexico, dual nationals must identify as Mexican to Mexican officials.
My parent became an American citizen years ago. Does that matter?
If they naturalized before March 20, 1998, they need a declaration of Mexican nationality by birth from the Foreign Ministry before you can register through them. After that date, Mexicans didn’t lose Mexican nationality by naturalizing. If you were born while your parent had lost it, ask the consulate.
Will I need to use my Mexican birth certificate in Mexico?
Consular registration gives you a Mexican birth certificate, which you can use to get a Mexican passport. “Inserción” (entering a foreign birth record) is the alternative if you register at a civil registry in Mexico instead.
Living there
A Mexican passport gives you the right to live and work in Mexico without a visa or residence permit.
Sources
- Mexican consulate in the UK: birth registration (in Spanish)
- Constitution of Mexico, articles 30 and 37 (in Spanish)
- The 2021 reform of article 30, published 17 May 2021 (in Spanish)
- Mexican consulate in Las Vegas: civil registry leaflet 2026, fees (in Spanish)
- Mexican consulate in Boston: military service card (in Spanish)
- Foreign Ministry: declaration of Mexican nationality by birth (in Spanish)
- Mexican consulate in Salt Lake City: dual nationality (in Spanish)
- US State Department: dual nationality