10. What Documents Do Foreigners Need to Buy Property in Mexico?

[Ciro Antonio Martínez Morales]

Here’s Your Prep List

Once you’ve found the property, reviewed the title, and selected a trusted notary, what’s next?

Documentation.
And yes — it’s actually simpler than most people think.

Here’s a breakdown of what foreign buyers typically need to purchase real estate in Mexico:

📄 1. Valid Passport

This is your primary identification. Make sure it’s not expired (sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised).

📜 2. Immigration Document

A tourist visa is usually enough to buy property.
However, if you plan to stay long-term or open utilities/services in your name, a temporary or permanent residency card is helpful.

🔢 3. Mexican Tax ID (RFC)

Yes — foreigners need an RFC to complete the purchase and pay annual property tax (Predial).
You can obtain it through a SAT appointment or with help from your notary or legal rep.

💡 This RFC is not for income tax unless you rent out the property — it’s mainly for property ownership and compliance.

🧾 4. Proof of Address (From Your Home Country)

This is needed to process the fideicomiso or register the title. A utility bill or bank statement works.

👤 5. Birth Certificate (For Trust Setup)

Required for fideicomiso beneficiaries — especially if you’re setting up inheritance rights within the trust.

🖋️ 6. Power of Attorney (Optional but Smart)

If you won’t be in Mexico for closing, grant a POA to your legal representative. This is commonly used and simplifies everything.

Quick Recap:

Document	Needed For	Notes
Passport	Identification	Must be valid
Immigration Document	Identification & Utilities	Tourist visa is enough to buy
RFC	Property Tax / Registration	Can be issued in Mexico
Proof of Address	Bank Trust / Deed Registration	From country of residence
Birth Certificate	Fideicomiso Setup	Needed for trust inheritance
Power of Attorney (Optional)	Remote Closing	Used for legal reps or attorney

 
Final Thought:
Don’t let paperwork intimidate you. With a good advisor, you can gather everything within a few days. And remember — these are precautions to protect your investment in a foreign country.

Next post: We’ll break down the anatomy of a valid real estate contract in Mexico — what to include, what to demand, and what to avoid.