Where your document gets its apostille depends on where it was issued, not on where it is going. A document issued in the United States is apostilled in the United States before it goes to Mexico. A document issued in Mexico, such as a Mexican marriage or birth certificate, is apostilled in Mexico.
- U.S. document going to Mexico: apostilled by the Secretary of State of the state that issued it, or by the U.S. Department of State for federal documents such as FBI background checks. We handle this for all 50 states.
- Mexican document going to the U.S. or another country: apostilled in Mexico by the government of the state that issued it. U.S. offices and Mexican consulates cannot do it.
- Looking for the state of New Mexico? See our New Mexico apostille service.
Mexico has been part of the Hague Apostille Convention since August 14, 1995, so an apostille is all a U.S. document needs. No consulate stamp is required.
How to apostille a U.S. document for Mexico
Step 1: Get an original or certified copy
Photocopies and scans are rejected. For a birth, marriage or death certificate, order a certified copy from the vital records office that issued it. For a diploma or transcript, ask the school registrar for an original.
Step 2: Notarize private documents
Documents that are not issued by a government office, such as a power of attorney, an affidavit or a company letter, have to be notarized first. The apostille then certifies the notary’s signature and seal.
Step 3: Send it to the right apostille office
The office depends on where the document was issued. A Texas birth certificate goes to the Texas Secretary of State, and a California one to the California Secretary of State. Federal documents, including FBI background checks, go to the U.S. Department of State in Washington.
Step 4: Translate into Spanish after the apostille
Mexican institutions almost always want documents in Spanish. Translate after the apostille is attached, because the apostille itself has to be translated too. Some Mexican authorities require a court-registered translator, called a perito traductor, so check with the office receiving your document.
Marriage, birth and other certificates for Mexico
These are the documents Mexican authorities ask for most often, with the page for each service.
- Marriage certificates: needed to register a foreign marriage in Mexico and for some residency applications. A U.S. marriage certificate is apostilled by the state that issued it.
- Birth certificates: needed for residency, school enrollment, marrying in Mexico and civil registry matters.
- Divorce decrees and death certificates: often requested before a new marriage can be registered, and in inheritance matters.
- Single status affidavits: sometimes required for a marriage license.
- Diplomas and transcripts: needed for university enrollment and professional licensing.
- Background checks: requested for some residency permits and jobs. Many Mexican institutions only accept recent ones, so check how old yours may be.
- Powers of attorney and corporate documents: used for property purchases, business registration and legal representation in Mexico.
If your document was issued in Mexico
A Mexican public document has to be apostilled in Mexico before it can be used in the United States or another Convention country. No office in the United States can apostille it, and neither can a Mexican consulate.
- State documents: marriage, birth and death certificates from a state Registro Civil are apostilled by that state’s government, usually the Secretaria General de Gobierno.
- Mexico City documents: these go through the Direccion General Juridica y de Estudios Legislativos.
- Federal documents: these are apostilled through the Secretaria de Gobernacion.
Once your Mexican document is apostilled, it will usually need a certified English translation for use in the United States. Sworn translations are available through our partner Global Doc Translations.
Mexico apostille pricing and turnaround
| Service | Our fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| State apostille | From $195; additional documents $65 each, plus the state fee | About 10 business days, depending on state delays |
| FBI apostille | $195 | 5+ weeks (regular U.S. Department of State processing) |
| Expedited FBI apostille | $390 | 10 business days |
Notary and translation fees are separate. See our Mexico apostille service and full apostille pricing.
Common situations
- Getting married in Mexico: foreign nationals are usually asked for an apostilled birth certificate and, if previously married, an apostilled divorce decree or death certificate. Some Mexican states also ask for a single status affidavit.
- Residency: immigration authorities often request an apostilled police clearance and, depending on the visa, apostilled marriage or family documents.
- University enrollment: an apostilled diploma and transcript with a Spanish translation.
- Business and property: apostilled corporate documents or a notarized and apostilled power of attorney so a representative in Mexico can sign for you.
Mistakes that cause delays
- Sending a photocopy. Apostille offices need an original or certified copy.
- Skipping notarization on a private document.
- Translating before the apostille. The translation then has to be redone to include the apostille.
- Using an old document. Background checks in particular are often only accepted for a limited time.
- Asking a Mexican consulate. Consulates do not issue apostilles.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apostille a marriage certificate for Mexico?
If the marriage certificate was issued in the United States, order a certified copy from the county or state that issued it and have it apostilled by that state’s Secretary of State. Then have the certificate and the apostille translated into Spanish. If the certificate was issued in Mexico, it is apostilled in Mexico by the government of the state whose Registro Civil issued it.
Where do I get a Mexican marriage or birth certificate apostilled?
In Mexico. Certificates from a state Registro Civil are apostilled by that state’s government office, usually the Secretaria General de Gobierno. Mexico City documents go through the Direccion General Juridica y de Estudios Legislativos. Offices in the United States cannot apostille a Mexican document.
Can a Mexican consulate apostille a document?
No. Mexican consulates do not issue apostilles. A U.S. document is apostilled in the United States, and a Mexican document is apostilled in Mexico.
Do I need an apostille for a background check for Mexico?
If a Mexican authority asks for an apostilled U.S. criminal record, an FBI background check is apostilled by the U.S. Department of State and a state-issued check is apostilled by that state’s Secretary of State. A criminal record issued in Mexico is apostilled in Mexico.
Is Mexico part of the Hague Apostille Convention?
Yes. The Convention has been in force in Mexico since August 14, 1995, so a U.S. document with an apostille is accepted there without consular legalization.
How much does an apostille for Mexico cost?
Our fee for a state apostille starts at $195, with additional documents at $65 each, plus the state fee. An FBI apostille is $195, or $390 expedited. Notary and translation fees are separate.
Do I still need an apostille if my document is notarized?
Yes. The notary confirms a signature. The apostille confirms that the notary was authorized to act. Private documents usually need both.
Is this the page for New Mexico apostilles?
No. This page is about the country of Mexico. For documents issued in the state of New Mexico, see our New Mexico apostille service.
Need a U.S. document apostilled for Mexico?
Apostille Authentications processes documents from all 50 states for use in Mexico and can arrange the Spanish translation. Call or message us on WhatsApp at (971) 514-3743.
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