MéxicoImmigration and travelFederalVerified on October 3, 2026
How to apply for Mexican citizenship by naturalization
Apply to SRE for a carta de naturalización, the document granting Mexican nationality by naturalization. The standard residence route requires five years of qualifying residence immediately before the application, supporting documents and the applicable exams.
Cost
MXN 9,500: SRE's published 2026 naturalization fee, valid through December 31, 2026.
This information may be out of date. Check the official source.
Step by step
- 1
Choose the correct naturalization route.
Open «Modalidad carta de naturalización por residencia» (Naturalization by residence) for the standard five-year route. SRE also lists separate routes for people with Mexican children, certain countries of origin and marriage to a Mexican citizen. Read the route that matches your circumstances.
Open SRE naturalization (Spanish) ↗What you will see
The section «Trámites de naturalización» (Naturalization procedures), with links to the residence route, appointment instructions and «Guía de estudios» (Study guide).
- 2
Gather the documents for your route.
For the standard residence route, use the checklist below and read SRE's full «Requisitos» (Requirements). Obtain the current application through pre-registration. The route page identifies it as SRE-02-011; appointment instructions still call the downloaded form DNN-3.
Read SRE requirements (Spanish) ↗ - 3
Pay the published application fee.
SRE publishes a fee of MXN 9,500 for naturalization in 2026. Pay before submitting the application and keep the receipt. Open «Costos de servicios de nacionalidad y naturalización» (Nationality and naturalization service fees) to check the current amount.
Check SRE fees (Spanish) ↗ - 4
Follow the current appointment notice.
Read «Obtención de cita para iniciar el trámite de naturalización» (How to obtain an appointment). As checked on October 3, 2026, SRE says appointments are being held in Mexico City because of SINNA system interruptions. Use «Clic para obtener cita» (Click to obtain an appointment), complete pre-registration, download the form and choose an available date. Check that the confirmation email arrives.
Read appointment notice (Spanish) ↗ - 5
Prepare for the applicable exams.
SRE requires applicants to demonstrate Spanish and knowledge of Mexican history and culture, subject to its exemptions. Open «Guía de estudios» (Study guide) for SRE's official study material. Bring the required documents to your appointment.
Open SRE study guide (Spanish) ↗
Requirements
- For the standard residence route: be an adult in full exercise of your civil rights, with five qualifying years immediately before applying.
- Current application: original and one copy. The address must match the address registered with INM.
- Temporary or permanent resident card showing your CURP: original and two copies, with at least six months of validity remaining after submission. Student temporary residence does not count for naturalization.
- Foreign birth certificate: original and one copy, legalized or apostilled as applicable, with a Spanish translation by a translator authorized by a Mexican state judiciary. SRE publishes a separate exception for COMAR-recognized refugees.
- Valid foreign passport or identity and travel document: original and two copies of every page, including covers. The residence-route page also sets a minimum remaining validity for the passport; check the exact period there.
- Declaration of entries and exits during the previous two years, in section X of the current application.
- Federal and local criminal-record certificates: originals and one copy of each; print the federal certificate's QR validation twice.
- Applicable Spanish and Mexican history and culture exams; original and one copy of the fee receipt.
Frequently asked questions
Do all applicants need five years of residence?
No. SRE publishes routes requiring two qualifying years immediately before applying for people with Mexican children by birth and for people originally from a Latin American country or the Iberian Peninsula. Each route has its own requirements; the shorter period is not automatic approval.
Do years as a temporary student resident count?
No. SRE expressly says that temporary student residence does not generate residence rights for naturalization.
Is everyone required to take the history and culture exam?
SRE's residence-route page exempts recognized refugees, minors and people over 60 from that exam. They must still demonstrate Spanish through the language exam. Check the requirements of your own route.
Does the appointment itself grant citizenship?
No. It starts the application procedure. You are applying for SRE to issue the carta de naturalización, not receiving citizenship by booking an appointment.
Sources
- SRE · Naturalization procedures (in Spanish) · accessed on October 3, 2026
- SRE · Naturalization by residence (in Spanish) · accessed on October 3, 2026
- SRE · Appointment notice updated September 29, 2026 (in Spanish) · accessed on October 3, 2026
- SRE · Nationality and naturalization fees for 2026 (in Spanish) · accessed on October 3, 2026
- SRE · Official study guide (in Spanish) · accessed on October 3, 2026
- SRE · Naturalization for people with Mexican children by birth (in Spanish) · accessed on October 3, 2026
- SRE · Naturalization for people from Latin America or the Iberian Peninsula (in Spanish) · accessed on October 3, 2026
Information verified on October 3, 2026. Always check the official source before starting your procedure.