Once you relocate to Mexico (or anywhere else), you’ll want to enjoy life there immediately. The last thing you’ll want is to start obtaining documents from a distance for your new country of residence. Therefore, according to our experience, we recommend bringing certain papers with you for future procedures. This will save you time and money when the moment to use them comes. We recommend bringing the following with you when you move to Mexico.
Documents
Marriage and Birth Certificates
First of all, a ‘must’ is an apostilled or legalized marriage certificate and your birth certificate.
If one spouse wants to get their residency in Mexico through an already resident partner, they need a marriage certificate.
This procedure is Residencia Por Vinculo Familiar (Family Union Residency). You can do it in Mexico, without the need to travel to a Mexican consulate abroad. Read more about this procedure: Requirements to Apply for Residency for Family Unity in Mexico
The birth certificate is for the same procedure, to obtain residency in Mexico for your minor children or parents, via your own resident status.
Academic Certificates
Next, to study or get a job in Mexico, bring apostilled (or legalized) academic certificates.
What Is an Apostilled Document?
Some countries that have signed the Hague Treaty, such as the USA, require you to apostille your documents. Do this via the Secretary of State of the state where the event occurred (marriage or birth).
Other countries that have not signed this treaty, like Canada, require you to legalize your documents at a Mexican consulate, high commission, or embassy in Canada. Canada also offers an authentication mail service. For further details, consult the Canadian government website on authentication of documents.
If you do not bring these documents with you, it will be an added burden to get them. You will have to travel back to your home town to apostille (or legalize) them. Alternatively, do the procedure by post; however, this is less secure.
Conclusion: Before taking up residency in Mexico, apostille/legalize and bring the following documents as they may be needed at some point. Otherwise, it is time consuming and expensive when done from a long distance:
Marriage certificate
Birth certificate
Academic certificates
For a quote or further information on immigration to Mexico, email Adriana Vela at info@immigrationtomexico.mx.