There are currently three different types of Mexican passports. The Personal Passport is the most common and is used for ordinary travel such as business trips or holiday time. Mexican diplomats, top-ranking government officials and diplomatic couriers may apply for a diplomatic passport. Mexican government representatives may apply for an official passport when traveling abroad on official business.
You must live in or have a residence in Mexico in order to apply for a passport. If you plan to apply for Mexican citizenship the process must be complete before applying for a passport. Only Mexican citizens are issued passports. If you are living outside of the country you may still apply for a passport at a local consul or embassy.
When applying, you will need some form of photo identification, such as an electoral card or driver's license, a certified copy of your Mexican birth certificate, a copy of your Cedula Unica de Registro de Poblacion (CURP), and at least three color passport-size photos. Newer copies of birth certificates may have the CURP printed on them. You will have to pay in cash when you submit your completed application with the accompanying documents.
You can apply at a local consul or embassy when outside of the country. In the country you should visit an office of the Secretaria de Relaciones Exterior. You may use the MEXITEL service to set up an appointment by calling 1 (877) 639-4835.
If you apply for a passport at an embassy, it may be processed the same day. How long it will take at the embassy depends on how busy it is that day. The passport will be valid for three to six years. However, passports are only valid for one year to children younger than 3, those who require medical or psychological attention and individuals under consular protection.
