Buying Property in Mexico International Real Estate Advisor July 4, 2026
If you were born in the United States but have Mexican parents or grandparents, you may have wondered whether you can obtain Mexican citizenship and what the process actually involves.
I recently sat down with attorney Samuel Mora of DNExpress on Move to Mexico with America Samuels to discuss Mexican dual citizenship, who may qualify, documentation, common challenges, and what the process may look like.
This topic is also personal to me because I went through the Mexican dual citizenship process myself. My experience taught me firsthand how important preparation and accurate documentation can be.
My goal with this article is simple: to help you better understand the process, know what to look for before getting started, and understand the different ways you may choose to pursue it.
Important: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, immigration, citizenship, tax, financial, or investment advice. Requirements and procedures can change, so always verify your individual situation with the appropriate Mexican government authority, Mexican consulate, or qualified professional.
Mexico recognizes certain people born outside of Mexico as Mexican nationals by birth when they have a qualifying connection through a Mexican parent.
For example, someone born in the United States whose mother or father is Mexican may be eligible to register their birth with Mexican authorities and obtain formal recognition of their Mexican nationality.
Having the right to Mexican nationality does not necessarily mean your Mexican documentation has already been issued. You generally still need to complete the appropriate registration process.
If you were born outside Mexico and your mother or father is Mexican, you may qualify for recognition as Mexican by birth.
Mexican nationality may also potentially continue through multiple generations, but the connection between those generations needs to be properly established.
For example, if your grandparent is Mexican but your parent was born in the United States and was never registered as Mexican, your parent may first need to establish or register their Mexican nationality before the next generation proceeds.
Think of it as creating a documented chain:
Mexican grandparent → parent → child
Depending on your family history, that chain may potentially extend through additional generations.
However, having Mexican ancestry alone should not be treated as a guarantee of eligibility. Cases involving grandparents, great-grandparents, or earlier generations should be confirmed with the appropriate Mexican authority or qualified professional.
One phrase from my conversation with Samuel really stood out to me:
“Your documents tell a story.”
Your records help establish who you are, who your parents are, and how you are connected to the Mexican national through whom you may qualify.
Depending on your circumstances, documents may include:
One of the most important things you can do is review your documents carefully before beginning the process.
Check names, dates, surnames, places of birth, and other information to make sure the records properly connect.
I learned this firsthand.
When I went through my own dual citizenship process, my mother, who was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, had an issue with her name on her Mexican birth certificate. That discrepancy created additional steps before I could move forward.
Even something that appears small — such as a misspelled name, different surname, incorrect date, or missing information — may need to be addressed before the process can continue.
You have options.
Eligible applicants may pursue Mexican nationality directly through official Mexican government channels, including Mexican consulates in the United States or the appropriate authorities in Mexico.
You may also choose to seek professional assistance.
For someone with straightforward documentation who is comfortable researching requirements, gathering records, securing appointments, and navigating the process, completing it independently may make sense.
Others may prefer professional assistance, particularly when records are missing, documents contain discrepancies, multiple generations are involved, or they simply want help navigating the administrative process.
DNExpress is a private third-party service provider and is not a Mexican government agency.
During our interview, Samuel explained that DN Express is a bilingual, attorney-led company that assists with Mexican dual nationality and related documentation.
According to Samuel, services may include reviewing documents, identifying discrepancies, locating certain Mexican birth records, addressing documentation issues, and helping clients navigate the nationality-registration process.
Samuel also explained that many cases may be coordinated remotely, depending on the individual’s circumstances and documentation.
DN Express is one option for people who prefer professional assistance or have a more complicated documentation situation.
There is no single timeline that applies to everyone.
During our interview, Samuel explained that many straightforward DN Express cases may take approximately four to eight weeks once the necessary documentation is in order, depending on the individual case.
This is DNExpress’s estimated service timeline based on the cases they handle and should not be interpreted as a guaranteed Mexican government processing or approval time.
Cases involving missing records, document corrections, name discrepancies, multiple generations, or other complications may take longer.
If you complete the process directly through the appropriate Mexican authorities, your timeline can vary considerably.
Appointment availability can be one of the biggest factors when applying through a Mexican consulate in the United States.
In my own experience, it took me approximately one year just to obtain my consular appointment.
That does not mean everyone will wait a year. Someone else may find an appointment much sooner.
It can help to think about the process in two parts:
1. Getting everything ready: gathering records, reviewing or correcting documents, confirming requirements, and obtaining an appointment.
2. Completing the registration: once everything is correct and submitted, a straightforward registration may move much faster.
The process may also differ depending on whether it is completed through a Mexican consulate outside Mexico or with the appropriate authorities in Mexico.
Every case is different. One person may already have every document ready and an available appointment, while another may need to locate family records, correct documents, establish nationality through an earlier generation, or wait for an appointment.
The registration itself may be relatively straightforward once everything is ready — getting everything ready can sometimes be the longer part of the journey.
Establishing your Mexican nationality and obtaining a Mexican passport are not the same step.
Once your nationality is properly documented, you may consider obtaining additional Mexican documents depending on your needs.
Your Mexican birth certificate is an important foundational document that may be used for many procedures in Mexico.
Once eligible, you may separately apply for a Mexican passport.
The Clave Única de Registro de Población is a unique population registration number used for many administrative procedures in Mexico.
The Credencial para Votar is Mexico’s voter identification credential and is also commonly used as official identification.
The Registro Federal de Contribuyentes is Mexico’s federal taxpayer registration number and may become relevant for certain tax, financial, business, employment, or real estate activities.
Which documents you need will depend on what you plan to do in Mexico.
This is where dual citizenship becomes particularly relevant to my work as an International Real Estate Advisor.
Mexico has specific rules governing foreign ownership of property within what is known as the restricted zone, which generally includes land within:
50 kilometers of Mexico’s coastline
and
100 kilometers of Mexico’s international borders.
Foreign individuals purchasing certain residential property within the restricted zone generally use a Mexican bank trust known as a fideicomiso.
Mexican citizens are generally not subject to that same foreign-ownership restriction.
This can be especially relevant when purchasing property in destinations such as:
However, obtaining dual citizenship should not automatically be viewed as a real estate strategy.
How a property should be acquired and titled depends on the individual transaction and may involve citizenship, marital status, financing, tax considerations, estate planning, intended use, and other factors.
Before purchasing real estate in Mexico, buyers should work with the appropriate Mexican notary and qualified real estate, legal, tax, and lending professionals for their particular transaction.
My guest for this conversation, Samuel Mora, is an attorney with DNExpress, a bilingual, attorney-led private company that assists clients with Mexican dual nationality and related documentation services.
According to Samuel, DN Express works with clients in the United States and Mexico and may assist with certain cases remotely.
For current services, pricing, eligibility reviews, processing expectations, locations, and terms, contact DN Express directly.
DNExpress
Website: dnexpress.org
U.S. Phone: +1 (619) 484-1831
Email: [email protected]
Want to hear the complete discussion?
Watch my full conversation with attorney Samuel Mora of DNExpress on Move to Mexico with America Samuels, where we discuss Mexican dual citizenship, documentation, common challenges, property ownership, and what may come next after becoming recognized as a Mexican national.
Ep. 3 | Get Mexican Dual Citizenship 🇲🇽 | Eligibility, Requirements & Apply
https://youtu.be/Yyneqns-0fU?si=pbB5ActiDuIykAJV
If you’re considering buying, investing, retiring, or making a move to Mexico, having the right guidance can make the process much easier.
As an International Real Estate Advisor, I help clients understand the buying process in Mexico, explore markets and properties that align with their goals, and navigate each step of their real estate journey.
When specialized guidance is needed, I can also help coordinate with qualified professionals for financing, legal, tax, notarial, and other areas related to the transaction.
Whether you’re just beginning your research or you’re ready to take the next step, I’d be happy to help.
Ready to get started?
Visit americasamuels.com/start
This article and accompanying interview are provided for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute legal, immigration, citizenship, tax, accounting, financial, investment, or individualized real estate advice.
America Samuels is a real estate professional and does not provide legal, immigration, citizenship, tax, or accounting services. DNExpress is an independent private service provider and is not a Mexican government agency. Information attributed to Samuel Mora or DNExpress is based on the podcast interview and should be confirmed directly with DNExpress.
Mexican laws, requirements, procedures, fees, appointment availability, eligibility criteria, and processing times may change and vary by individual circumstances. Any timelines discussed in relation to DNExpress reflect information shared during the interview and are not guaranteed government processing or approval times.
Applicants may pursue Mexican nationality directly through the appropriate official Mexican government authorities without using DNExpress or another private provider.
Always verify current requirements with the appropriate Mexican government authority and consult qualified professionals regarding your individual circumstances.
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