Carta de naturalización
Requirements for Mexican naturalization, in plain language.
Which modality fits you, how many years of residency you need, which exams you take, and what goes in your file. Reviewed against SRE information on September 15, 2026.
Which naturalization modality fits you?
Choose the modality that matches your situation. It sets the years of residency you need and the documents you file.
Residency
5years of residency
For foreign residents without a family or origin tie that shortens the wait.
Marriage to a Mexican
2years of residency
For people married to a Mexican national.
Mexican-born children
2years of residency
For parents of a child born in Mexico.
Latin American or Iberian origin
2years of residency
For people originally from a Latin American country, Spain, or Portugal.
Which exams do you take?
Everyone takes the Spanish test (interview, reading, and writing; 5 of 6 points to pass). Most applicants also take the history and culture exam (10 questions, 10 minutes, 8 to pass). Applicants aged 60 or older, refugees, and people under complementary protection skip the history exam. How the exam works.
What documents do you need for naturalization by residency?
This is the list for the residency modality. Other modalities add documents that prove the marriage, the child’s birth, or your origin.
Resident card
What SRE is strict about: It must still be valid at least 6 months after the date you file.
Birth certificate
What SRE is strict about: Apostilled, and translated into Spanish by a perito (an authorized expert translator).
Passport
What SRE is strict about: A copy of all pages, not only the photo page.
Criminal-record certificates
What SRE is strict about: PLACEHOLDER — copy the strictness note from the app’s Guía.
Photos
What SRE is strict about: PLACEHOLDER — copy the photo specification from the app’s Guía.
CURP
What SRE is strict about: PLACEHOLDER — copy the strictness note from the app’s Guía.
Fee payment receipt
What SRE is strict about: MXN 9,500, the same for every modality, valid through 31 December 2026.
PLACEHOLDER — document 8
What SRE is strict about: PLACEHOLDER — fill from the app’s Guía residency list.
PLACEHOLDER — document 9
What SRE is strict about: PLACEHOLDER — fill from the app’s Guía residency list.
PLACEHOLDER — document 10
What SRE is strict about: PLACEHOLDER — fill from the app’s Guía residency list.
PLACEHOLDER — document 11
What SRE is strict about: PLACEHOLDER — fill from the app’s Guía residency list.
Source: SRE · Reviewed Sep 15, 2026
How do you apply?
- Pre-register online at re.sre.gob.mx/sinna. It only works on a computer.
- Pay the MXN 9,500 fee and keep the receipt.
- Bring your documents to your appointment and take the exams at one of the four SRE offices that give them: Mexico City, Pachuca, Mérida, or Monterrey.
- You have two attempts at the exam. After a second fail or a no-show at the second appointment, you wait one year and pay the fee again.
Mexico Ready is not affiliated with the SRE or the Government of Mexico. The content is original study material and does not constitute legal advice.