November 13, 2025 • 31 mins
In this episode of the "Living in Mexico" series, I'm sitting down with my husband to talk about something so many of you have been asking about - how to get dual citizenship in Mexico!
This has been our most-asked question since we shared our own journey to becoming dual citizens earlier this year. I'm walking you through our very different experiences. We're also getting real about the process, the paperwork mishaps, the differences between doing this in Mexico versus at the consulate, and why reclaiming this part of our heritage has been so meaningful for our family.
For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode144
What You'll Hear
- Why we decided to pursue dual citizenship and what it means for second-generation Mexican Americans reclaiming their roots
- The biggest mistakes to avoid when gathering your documents
- Our journey getting dual citizenship, including the birth certificate nightmare and the passport office experience that had us both frustrated
- The real difference between getting your passport in Mexico vs. at a U.S. consulate, and which route might be easier for you
Resources Mentioned
- How to Get Dual Citizenship in Mexico E-Guide & Digital Course - My comprehensive step-by-step guide that walks you through the entire process, including all required documents, timelines, and insider tips from our personal experience.
- Listen to our previous 'Living in Mexico' series episodes
Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review on Apple podcasts.
Watch this podcast episode on YouTube!
Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami
Join the Viva la Mami newsletter so you won't miss a thing!
Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
Have a suggestion for a guest? Click HERE
Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com
Have questions or want to connect? Email us at podcast@vivalamami.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jessica (00:00):
right now there is definitely a wave of second
(00:03):
generation Mexican Americans,uh, you know, Mexicans who.
Are trying to find differentpathways to reclaim their
culture and their roots.
And one of them is by gettingdual citizenship.
I've definitely heard a lot ofpeople saying, well, I'm getting
dual citizenship just in case.
(00:24):
And it's kind of like a backupfor various reasons, but we all
know why, because of thecurrent, uh, political climate
that is going on right now.
Jessica (2) (01:39):
Hola hola,.
Welcome to another episode ofthe Viva La Mommy Podcast.
I'm your host, Jessica Cuevas,and on today's Living in Mexico
series.
We are going to share a lotabout dual citizenship, and as
part of the episode, I have myhusband with me here, Alex, once
(02:00):
again.
Now this isn't the last, lastliving in Mexico series episode,
but because this has been like,what, five weeks of these
episodes?
I'm gonna go back to my regularmommy content, I have a lineup
of really great, uh, amazingindividuals that I have
(02:21):
interviewed for the podcast, andso we're definitely gonna go to
our regular content about Latinamotherhood.
Jessica (02:26):
And so you'll be listening to topics around
Latina motherhood, and I'll beinviting expert guests as well
to just kind of talk about allthings motherhood.
So this episode, Alex, I thinkit is very important just
because we have gotten a lot ofquestions.
Now, if you haven't noticed, theprevious episodes have been
(02:47):
topics surrounded based aroundyour questions, and so.
This question has been the, thetop one, I think the number one
top question, and that is how doyou get dual citizenship?
So if you haven't seen ornoticed on Instagram, on social
(03:07):
media, I did share that myfamily and I, all have gotten
our dual citizenshipspecifically in Mexico.
And so right now there isdefinitely a wave of second
generation Mexican Americans,uh, you know, Mexicans who.
Are trying to find differentpathways to reclaim their
(03:31):
culture and their roots.
And one of them is by gettingdual citizenship.
I've definitely heard a lot ofpeople saying, well, I'm getting
dual citizenship just in case.
And it's kind of like a backupfor various reasons, but we all
know why, because of thecurrent, uh, political climate
that is going on right now.
(03:52):
And it's not even political, Ithink it's just social.
Um, you know, inequalities thatare going on with our immigrant
community.
And so a lot of folks arereclaiming this other pathway to
be protected, but also just incase if something were to happen
either to their family or tothemselves or whatever reason.
So for us, it obviously, oursituation is different.
(04:15):
You know, I don't, we are not.
Um, personally affected by whywe decided to get dual
citizenship.
I think initially it was becausewe just wanted to, I think for
me, I, I just wanted to haveanother passport because I think
passports are so cool.
Alejandro (04:34):
Okay.
Jessica (04:34):
But, but yeah, I think for me at least, it's uh,
another way to be closer to themotherland and For me to pass
that on to my kids.
Uh, I don't know why you decidedto get dual citizenship.
I
Alejandro (04:48):
don't know.
Uh, for me, uh, I didn't reallyhave a specific reason as to why
I wanted to get, or as to why Igot my dual citizenship.
Um, I guess it was for me not tonot feel left out.
You know, my wife, my two kidshad their citizenship.
So at the end of the day, I wasjust like.
(05:09):
Screw it.
I'll just do it too, you know?
And it's easier, you know, youdon't have to be worried about
getting fined or mm-hmm.
Any of the other stuff thatcould happen if you don't have
the right, um, documentation, Iguess.
Yeah.
But, um, yeah, I didn't have nospecific reason as to why I got
mine.
Jessica (05:26):
You just joined the bandwagon?
Yeah,
Alejandro (05:27):
I joined the bandwagon.
Yeah.
The bandwagon jumper now, Iguess.
Jessica (05:30):
Yeah.
No, but it's, it's interestingbecause I.
Got mine first along with thekids.
Mm-hmm.
And then you did yours kind ofon your own.
And so we can definitely talkabout our two different
experiences'cause they were verydifferent, uh, in terms of
getting our dual citizenship.
And specifically here in Mexico.
And as part of this topic, Ihave received a lot of questions
(05:52):
about what are the necessarydocuments?
What are the requirements?
Do my parents have to be inperson?
Do I have to go and make anappointment at a consulate
office?
Can I do it in Mexico?
And so all of these questionsthat I have gotten, and I mean,
there were about hundreds ofquestions that I have received
over the course of, since springof 2025 until now that we are at
(06:15):
the end of 2025.
And all of these questions areanswered directly on my new, how
to Get Dual Citizenship inMexico E-Guide and Digital
Course.
And so if in case you areinterested or wondering what
it's like to get dualcitizenship, like you need
(06:36):
someone to guide you along theway.
I'm here to help you.
Por it is an overwhelmingprocess and some of us don't
really realize, like, what arethe specific requirements.
You know, we're often told bylike word of mouth, but then
again, when it comes to a verycentralized like pathway, I've
(06:56):
shared this through our ownpersonal experience, what it
looks like.
But also just sharing with youwhat those requirements are in a
step-by-step process.
So within the e-guide, it'sbasically a visual that you can
kind of work along your way.
If you are an independent personand kind of wanna do this on
your own, the e-guide is kind oflike a resource as like to check
(07:18):
the boxes to make sure thatyou've got everything covered.
But if you want a morepersonable, like almost like a
one-on-one experience where Iliterally walk you through this
pathway in getting dualcitizenship.
This is when you can get thedigital course.
It consists of five differentmodules and all of them talk
specifically about getting dualcitizenship in Mexico.
(07:41):
A lot of times we just know thatgetting dual citizenship can be
done in at the consulate, um, inthe United States, but this is
another pathway in a very quickway.
Um, an economical way to, togetting your dual citizenship.
So this is all based on ourexperience and that's what I
share in my digital course.
(08:01):
Along with the digital course,you'll also receive the e-guide.
So it's basically two in onesort of thing.
So if you are interested in,knowing how to get dual
citizenship in Mexico, justclick on the link shown in the
description of this podcast orthe description of this YouTube
video.
And, you know, you candefinitely purchase my guide and
(08:25):
or uh, digital course, and thatway you can claim your heritage
and your cultura by getting dualcitizenship.
Alejandro (08:33):
And I can personally vouch for it, not because she's
my wife or anything, but she didhelp me get my stuff done too.
So,
Jessica (08:39):
yes, so I am living proof that I've definitely
helped a lot of people.
Uh, I have a couple cousins thatare now getting their dual
citizenship, and so I'm like,you know what?
Why don't I just convert thisinto a way for me to not.
Get paid for the services thatI'm offering, but also it's a
genuine, heartfelt project thatI put into because I think it is
(09:00):
time for us to claim somethingthat we've been inherited, but
we often don't talk about thistype of inheritance.
We often think about money, weoften think about assets, but
getting another, like gettingcitizenship from a different
country, that in itself iswealth and.
That's why I'm sharing it out tothe world.
So, check out the, the link inthe description and yeah,
(09:23):
hopefully you can join me.
Alright, so one of the thingsthat we wanna share in this
podcast episode, you know, we'renot gonna talk about, these are
the things that you need to dobecause literally this.
Podcast episode can be a fullblown podcast in itself or a
series, and this is just anotherway for you to get my digital
course or eide.
Ha ha.
(09:43):
But I think this episode willmostly touch based on our
experience.
Mm-hmm.
How do we feel about theprocess?
How do we feel after we did thisprocess in getting dual
citizenship?
So I don't know if you wannastart or me,
Alejandro (09:59):
um, I guess, I don't know if you
Jessica (10:01):
wanna hear the good news or the, the good thing or
the bad.
Alejandro (10:03):
Well, let's go with the bad side first.
So I thought you can beenlightened by the easier side,
I guess.
Um, but yeah, I mean, for me itwas difficult.
Almost right.
It wasn't impossible, but, uh, Iguess, I guess the reason for me
why it was a more lengthyprocess than it was for just is
(10:26):
because I had to go through alittle bit more, um, strenuous.
Process, I guess almoststrenuous, but
Jessica (10:34):
I think it's like an additional step you
Alejandro (10:36):
have to do.
Yeah.
So, um, but yeah, I mean, at theend of the day, I still got it
done, right.
I mean, it wasn't, I think if Iwere to put like a timeframe, it
took me how long, like a week
Jessica (10:47):
maybe?
Well.
From the initial, initial part?
Mm-hmm.
I think it it took you twomonths.
Alejandro (10:53):
Two months, yeah.
Jessica (10:54):
So do you wanna talk about your birth certificate?
Because that was like the veryinitial step of the process.
Alejandro (11:01):
My birth certificate, they messed up my birth
certificate.
Like your US birth certificate?
Yeah, my US birth certificate inChicago, uh, they misspelled my
mom's last name, so I had to getthat done.
Uh, twice I think, wasn't it?
I think it was twice.
Jessica (11:16):
Was it twice?
Alejandro (11:16):
I think it was twice.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I had to get it done twice.
Um, and then, yeah, when wenoticed it, we were just like,
dammit.
Right.
And then, so we were alreadyhere.
Yeah.
So then, um, I had to, had my, Ihad to, I had to have my cousin
help me out to go once it wasfixed, go get it, Apostol, and
then mailed over, well, not evenmailed, but it was delivered to
(11:37):
us by, by her grandma.
Yeah.
Um, and then after that, whathappened?
Jessica (11:42):
Yeah, then you got started with the and everything.
Yeah.
But that is definitely one thingand one big tip of, tip of
advice that I share in my courseand, and the eide is that all of
the documents have to match.
Like your name has to match and.
Every single document.
Mm-hmm.
Otherwise, you are not gonna getdual citizenship.
(12:04):
Mm-hmm.
So at first we thought, oh,Alex, you know, you're next in
line.
You can get dual citizenship.
And then when I was literallyreading your birth certificate,
okay, who gets to read birthcertificates?
You just get a copy it.
Like, I remember, it's almostlike a rite of passage once you
go to college or get married orwhatever, your parents just hand
you all these importantdocuments and you don't even pay
(12:24):
attention to them until thistime around.
I looked at your birthcertificate, I was like, ah,
Alex, your mom's last name ismissing a letter.
Mm-hmm.
So we, we were like, oh, crap.
So we thought that we would getthis done at.
A vital records office.
(12:45):
So in this case, at the CookCounty Clerk's office.
Mm-hmm.
In Chicago.
But unfortunately you couldn'teven send it there in person to
get it corrected like you had tomail it.
Mm-hmm.
In, and it was at, essentiallysent to the state capital, but
then Spring.
Springfield.
Springfield, yeah.
Which
Alejandro (13:02):
took 12 weeks.
Yeah.
Took the full 12 weeks.
Yeah.
Jessica (13:05):
It took longer.
Well, it actually took longerthan two months.
Now that.
We think about it.
Mm-hmm.
It's like three, four months.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
For you to get your dualcitizenship.
Mm-hmm.
So for him, it was a verylengthy process because his
mom's last name, who was born inMexico her name didn't match.
His, mm-hmm.
To his like birth certificateand also with her birth
(13:26):
certificate in Mexico.
So you have to definitely doublecheck that all names are spelled
correctly, that they're actuallytrue.
And a lot of us as children ofimmigrants are families.
I, I think your mom was probablyvulnerable where she didn't
double check because I mean.
Who, when you get your birthcertificate, it's literally like
(13:48):
the day after you were born.
Yeah.
And all of us moms are in thisbig fog, like we don't double
check.
And, and I had this experienceright with Mateo.
I think they, I think initiallythey like misspelled it,
misspelled your name orsomething.
And I was like, is it for, forreal?
And then you probably checked,
Alejandro (14:10):
I don't remember.
I don't remember.
It was such a
Jessica (14:11):
fog, but.
But we all get it, you know?
Mm-hmm.
And so that's definitely onething that I highly, highly
recommend is to double checkwhat the names, how you know,
how the names are presented onyour birth certificate, as well
as your parent who was born inMexico.
How does that match with both?
Like how do they correspond witheach other, essentially?
(14:31):
Yeah, that's a really good, goodcall.
Yeah.
Yeah.
so after all that stuff gotcorrected, we then went to, in
Leon.
Alejandro (14:41):
Yeah.
And then that process was just.
It, it was, it was quick.
Yeah, it was quick.
I threw, I think we were like inand out.
Like, what, like 30 minutes?
Jessica (14:49):
Yeah.
I mean, they basically verifiedthe documents and because we, we
walked in, so we didn't evenmake an appointment.
Mm-hmm.
We just like walked in.
We double checked the locationon Google Maps and we double
checked the times and they werejust about to close.
Mm-hmm.
Because that's one of thedownfalls, just like all
government offices, they closewithin like work hours.
(15:09):
Mm-hmm.
And so luckily Alex, I think youleft an hour early.
Yeah.
So that we could get there ontime, but they were literally
about to close.
Yeah.
And so what they were like, youknow what, right now we don't
have any time, but let me lookat the documents.
And then we'll let you know ifthere's anything missing and no,
nothing was missing.
We basically handed over the,the required documents, which
(15:30):
again, I'll explain in my eguand course.
And, um, and yeah, they werelike, you know what?
Come back Friday and we'll havethis ready.
So yeah.
So honestly, like Alex didn'teven have to be present.
Mm-hmm.
He just needed someone.
A, a Mexican citizen because Iwas before him.
And, um, I was able to, to, youknow mm-hmm.
(15:51):
The, and go on his behalf to, toprocess this.
So that was easy.
Alejandro (15:57):
It was very easy.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And then, um, and what
Jessica (16:00):
was the hardest part for you afterwards?
Alejandro (16:03):
Uh, the passport, it was a password, but before we
get to that, I mean even likewhen I got the, the INE, um,
that was a very easy process aswell.
Mm-hmm.
Um, the only thing that wasneeded there, you needed to have
two witnesses, right?
Yeah.
Two witnesses to get your INEYeah.
And then, um, kn your cousin orYeah.
Whatever she is.
Prima.
Prima, yeah.
Pretty much.
Yeah.
(16:23):
Yeah.
She was able to be there with uswhile I, when I sent, while I
signed, uh, the INE paperworkand all that stuff.
And then, um, that took sevendays.
To get
Jessica (16:32):
to get your INE.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And it took, took
Alejandro (16:34):
us, it took me seven days to get that INE.
Mm-hmm.
And then the fun part was apassport.
That was fun.
Uh, and I say that verysarcastically.
Um, yeah, I mean, it was,initially I thought it was gonna
be all smooth, you know, we didthe, the, we set up the
appointment online.
Mm-hmm.
And then we have a office overhere, like five minutes from us.
(16:57):
Did the appointment, went inperson.
And they hated me as soon as Iwalked in.
I'm exaggerating a little bit,right?
But no, I mean, it was,everything was going smooth.
Everything was going fine untilthe one dude that was handling
my paperwork asked me where Iwas from.
And then once I told'em, oh, Iwas born in the United States,
it was just like a little sideeye.
(17:18):
It was just like, uh, you'refrom the United States.
And then from there they justgave me, can I swear on here?
Jessica (17:26):
Yeah,
Alejandro (17:27):
they gave me shit, the whole process.
Right.
Um, yeah, it took, I think I wasthere for like an hour the first
time.
Yeah.
It took, yeah, it was about anhour.
But, um, yeah, as soon as he, assoon as that one person asked me
where my, where I'm from, toldhim, yeah.
He just like literally did hisbest to drag out the process.
(17:47):
And then I still did not get mypassword that same day.
Mm-hmm.
Right.
Um, I just feel like they werelooking at nitpicking
everything.
Oh, and 1, 1, 1 thing too, uh,one word of advice, um, for any
paperwork that you may have,like your birth certificate,
your parents' birth certificate.
Make sure that it's not folded.
Make sure that it's not folded,because
Jessica (18:08):
I think they were just telling you that.
So in case they can give youissues, but just
Alejandro (18:11):
in case.
Yeah.
You know, just have all yourpaperwork, like the way it's
supposed to be.
Don't fold it because that wasone bad thing that they were,
that was one thing that theywere telling me that that was
one reason why I couldn't get mypassport because my paperwork
was folded.
Mm-hmm.
All right.
And then after that I took mypictures, and then the final
one, my signature.
(18:32):
So I'm not the type of personthat, um, from when the custom
signature I just scribbled.
I just scribbled.
Yeah.
I just scribble.
Yeah, I scribble.
And I, I've been doing thatsince I can remember.
Never had an issue.
Never ever had an issue until.
When I was trying to get mypassword right, like I signed
it, they were looking at it,they're like, oh yeah, your
(18:54):
signature doesn't match thesignature on the INE.
Mm-hmm.
And then, yeah, make sure that,that your, your signature is the
same.
Yeah.
And then they gave me,
Jessica (19:03):
I mean, it should be the same.
It shouldn't be scribbles, nooffense,
Alejandro (19:05):
whatever.
My, my signature looksprofessional.
But anyways.
But anyways.
Yeah.
Um.
And they gave me like about, Ithink like 30 tries to try to
get it the same as it was on theEnum.
And I'm just like, for the, forthe laugh of me, I couldn't do
it.
You know?
'cause I guess it's not anexcuse or anything, but I think
it's just muscle memory in myarm.
Like I just scribble, you know?
(19:28):
And then, uh, at the lastmoment, at the last one, they're
like, yeah, you know what?
Your signatures don't match.
Had four office managers staringme down.
Right.
And just making me nervous.
And they were just like, yeah,I'm sorry.
We can't do it.
So it was because of hissignature.
Jessica (19:42):
He left empty handed and
Alejandro (19:44):
left empty handed
Jessica (19:45):
without his passport.
And that was because he went toan office here in Mexico.
Mm-hmm.
And yeah, and compared to myexperience, it was very
different.
Wait,
Alejandro (19:56):
but weren't they telling me to get like all these
bunch of paperworks too?
Jessica (19:58):
Yeah.
They also asked for your mom'sbirth certificate.
Yeah.
When.
His, he already had gotten hisbirth certificate Mexicano.
Mm-hmm.
Because he went through firstand got registered and now he's
officially a Mexicano and soall.
What he had to turn in and it'sliter literally stated on the
Mexican government's website toget a passport.
(20:20):
All what you need is your INE,which is the first thing that he
did as soon as he got registeredin.
You need a, your copy of yourop, you know, your, or whatever,
and you need your birthcertificate.
And the payment.
So you had to pay before goingin.
So we paid at a bank andeverything.
We got the receipt, we had allthe paperwork that was listed
(20:42):
and stated on their website.
However, again, they were givinghim issues and they were like,
something else is missing.
Mm-hmm.
Your mom's birth certificate.
Alejandro (20:54):
Yeah.
Jessica (20:54):
I've never heard of that, like.
Yeah, I think they were justgiving you Yeah, they were
giving me a hard time, like ahard time.
They were giving you issues,qualms, you know, like, they're
like, we're not gonna mm-hmm.
Give him his Mexican passportbecause it was Mexicano.
But yeah, I don't know.
I don't know.
I think that was very bogus.
And so to this day he still, henever got his passport in Mexico
(21:17):
and so
Alejandro (21:18):
we ended up making an appointment at the one in
Chicago.
Yeah.
Jessica (21:21):
So, but before that, like.
The Mexican government has yourmoney.
Yeah.
Like you paid vie for thispassport that you never got in
Mexico.
Alejandro (21:32):
Mm-hmm.
Jessica (21:33):
And it wasn't until you went to Chicago.
When we last went to Chicagoearly this fall.
You made an appointment andluckily we had already made that
appointment'cause we were likejust in case.
Yeah.
You know, they give you issues.
So we had already scheduled theappointment literally day of
when we flew into Chicago.
Like that morning.
Such a long day.
Yeah.
That day.
But you, after how many minutes?
Did you spend there?
(21:54):
I think I was
Alejandro (21:54):
only there for like 20 minutes.
Jessica (21:56):
Yeah.
He got his password ate and itwas just a
Alejandro (21:57):
completely different experience there because I mean,
like I was, I was freaking out.
'cause I'm just like, what aboutif they tell me the same stuff?
You know, that your signature isdifferent And yeah, I got there,
um, did the whole process, took,got my picture taken your, uh,
fingerprints signed.
And then he was just like, helooked at it, he was looking at
my.
(22:18):
I think my, mm-hmm.
Yeah.
He was looking at my, and mypassport, the, the signature I
have for the passport.
He was just like, oh yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
So I'm like, wow.
Okay, cool.
But, you know, it sucked.
It sucked trying to get mypassport here in Mexico.
'cause it, it was kind ofembarrassing, you know, like to
(22:39):
Yeah.
They gave you a
Jessica (22:39):
hard time.
Yeah.
Yeah.
But,
Alejandro (22:40):
um.
Yeah, it was just a completelydifferent experience back in,
back, back in Chicago.
Yeah.
They were just like, oh, it's alittle bit different.
No matter.
Go get your stuff.
Yeah.
And Ada boom.
Jessica (22:52):
Yeah, that, that, that's what's hard.
Mm-hmm.
And again, you know, thegovernment owes us money.
I don't know how we can get thatmoney back.
That's still something he kindof gave up, but I'm like, no.
Like it was the like a hundredsomething dollars.
No,
Alejandro (23:07):
it was like 600 pesos around there somewhere.
Jessica (23:09):
Oh, okay.
But still money is money andYeah.
So compared to this unfortunatebut fortunate experience, you
know, now he's officially aMexican citizen.
You know, he's gotten his dualcitizenship.
Uh, for my experience, it wasdifferent.
The way that we did it was thatwe went to a, um, office in, so
(23:35):
it's a small little Pueblo.
And when, uh, at first my momturned in the documents for me,
uh, because at that time I, weweren't in Mexico.
Uh, but we happened to go duringspring break and we ended up
going to spring break, what, theweek after my mom had dropped
off the documents.
So it literally took about 10days, 10 business days or so,
(24:00):
uh, to fully process my tro, uh,que the lady who worked at the
office.
Had to take all thedocumentation in, in the
Guanajuato city, which is thestate capital, and they kind of
processed it.
Whereas compared to, um, Alex,it only took like two days
(24:21):
basically to process the wholething.
Mm-hmm.
So that is a difference in goingto re office in a small pueblo.
Versus like in a city, becausethey kind of do it kind of like
then and there.
Whereas with me, they kind of dothe slow process.
But the good thing is that Ididn't even have to be in Mexico
when my mom handed in thosedocuments.
(24:41):
I did ended up going to Mexicobecause we had planned this trip
in the spring and it happened tobe that, um, my, my, um, birth
certificate was ready andeverything.
You know, I collected it and onthat same day, I then processed
our kids.
Mm-hmm.
Re and that alone took anotherweek because again, I did it in
(25:05):
the office, in my parents.
And then, um, yeah, it tookabout, overall it took about two
weeks total between me and thekids to get their done.
And again, as far as with likewhat it was, what documents did
we turn in?
Again, that's in my eide and inmy course.
So please support me, uh,because I do share a wealth of
(25:29):
information for you.
After we have collected our, um,birth certificates, the Mexico,
you know, we got in the CURPsand everything, we traveled back
to Chicago, um, and.
We did it at, we got ourpassports at the consulate.
So if you go to the consulate inthe United States and wanting to
(25:51):
get your passport, the documentsare a little different as far as
with what they requi require.
So for example, for Alex, if yougo to UNO in Mexico, they're
gonna require your, your birthcertificate and your group in
the consulate.
They're gonna require yourgroup, your birth certificate,
(26:12):
and.
A form of identification, whichcould be your US passport.
So they accepted that as a formof identification because at
that time, I mean, I didn't haveanything else to prove that I am
from Mexico.
So, uh, yeah, they accepted itat the consulate.
So depending on where you wannago, I mean, it could work both
ways, unless your signature iscrappy and they don't accept you
(26:33):
like Alex did in Mexico.
But we found that going to theconsulate and getting your
passport is much easier andfaster than doing it here in
Mexico.
Mm-hmm.
So just a quick tip, like forus, our experience in getting
the done in Mexico was muchsimpler than if we were to go to
the consulate, but if you'regetting your passport, it's much
(26:53):
simpler to do it in Indo then inMexico.
Yes.
So it's kind of like vice versa.
Um, and then with my INE, whatI.
Once we moved here in Mexico, Igot my INE and that was easy.
That was a piece of cake becauseI've obviously had had my birth
certificate and my, um, Mexicanpassport, so that was easy.
(27:14):
You could potentially get yourINE at a consulate office, but
what I have found is that it'snot going to be as valid as if
you were getting your INE inMexico.
And the reason why is because ofthe domi.
Okay, so like your streetaddress it, if you get your INE,
in your street address will bewherever you live in the United
(27:36):
States.
But if you get your INE here, inMexico, that address will show
whatever address that you'reshowing as lio.
So it could be like yourgrandparents.
Utility bill.
That's what I did.
Yeah.
It could be if you decide tomove to Mexico, it could be your
lease agreement and then,
Alejandro (27:54):
which is what we, I did, which is what
Jessica (27:54):
Alex did.
Yeah, so it all depends.
I mean, you can have an INE, butit depends for what purpose.
Like if you decide to vote hereat a certain election time and
if they seek it, your Rios fromlike the United States, they're
not gonna let you.
It has to be a dorio here inMexico.
So that's just one of thethings.
But yeah, you can get all ofthese documents either in
(28:17):
Mexico.
Here or in ADO in the UnitedStates.
And again, in my digital courseand my eide, I share a lot of
information about where you canfind these locations and
everything.
Uh, so you know, whatever routethat you decide, I think.
Good, that's good for you.
You know, at the end we're allgoing to be dual citizens, but
(28:39):
it just depends on what type ofprocess you wanna consider.
And for us, we found that again,getting the done in Mexico was
much quicker, faster, and evenlike cost effective.
Yeah.
And again, I share that in myegu and digital course.
Alejandro (28:56):
Yeah, I mean in both, both of our experiences.
For me it took, what total timewas about four months maybe.
And you, it was what, two weeks?
Jessica (29:04):
Yeah.
Alejandro (29:05):
So yeah, depending on your situation, it can go from
there two weeks to four months.
Mm-hmm.
Probably even longer.
Who knows?
Yeah.
Jessica (29:12):
Yeah.
So, yeah, so let me know if youhave any questions about getting
dual citizenship.
Like I said, I will be linkingmy Eide and digital course here
in the show notes as well as theYouTube description of this
episode.
And as always, feel free toreach out.
But Alex, it was such a pleasurehaving you on the podcast.
It was really fun to have you,uh, these past five weeks.
(29:35):
I really appreciate yourpresence, but also just the fact
that we got to do this together.
Mm-hmm.
Um, I think all of us alwaysdream of doing something
different, but if you don't havethe right partnership, you know,
the right, um, type ofcommunication with your partner,
if you are in a partnerrelationship, you know, things
can be heavy on you.
And so this is just another signto not do this alone.
(29:57):
Open up with your partner andyou never know, like I always
envision myself living abroad.
He, it wasn't until I literallyopened up to him, I was like,
why don't we just move toMexico?
And then it then started to feedinto him and, and that's how we
made it, you know, possible.
So, yeah.
I know I'm getting sidetracked,but you know, this is just
(30:19):
another sign to just, you know,uh, have this open communication
with your partner.
Alejandro (30:24):
So everything was she said.
And thank you for having me on.
Um, I hope I did a decent job.
Yeah,
Jessica (30:30):
you did.
Yay.
Alright, amiga.
Well thank you so much forlistening.
Asima on the next episode.
right now there is definitely a wave of second
(00:03):
generation Mexican Americans,uh, you know, Mexicans who.
Are trying to find differentpathways to reclaim their
culture and their roots.
And one of them is by gettingdual citizenship.
I've definitely heard a lot ofpeople saying, well, I'm getting
dual citizenship just in case.
(00:24):
And it's kind of like a backupfor various reasons, but we all
know why, because of thecurrent, uh, political climate
that is going on right now.
Jessica (2) (01:39):
Hola hola,.
Welcome to another episode ofthe Viva La Mommy Podcast.
I'm your host, Jessica Cuevas,and on today's Living in Mexico
series.
We are going to share a lotabout dual citizenship, and as
part of the episode, I have myhusband with me here, Alex, once
(02:00):
again.
Now this isn't the last, lastliving in Mexico series episode,
but because this has been like,what, five weeks of these
episodes?
I'm gonna go back to my regularmommy content, I have a lineup
of really great, uh, amazingindividuals that I have
(02:21):
interviewed for the podcast, andso we're definitely gonna go to
our regular content about Latinamotherhood.
Jessica (02:26):
And so you'll be listening to topics around
Latina motherhood, and I'll beinviting expert guests as well
to just kind of talk about allthings motherhood.
So this episode, Alex, I thinkit is very important just
because we have gotten a lot ofquestions.
Now, if you haven't noticed, theprevious episodes have been
(02:47):
topics surrounded based aroundyour questions, and so.
This question has been the, thetop one, I think the number one
top question, and that is how doyou get dual citizenship?
So if you haven't seen ornoticed on Instagram, on social
(03:07):
media, I did share that myfamily and I, all have gotten
our dual citizenshipspecifically in Mexico.
And so right now there isdefinitely a wave of second
generation Mexican Americans,uh, you know, Mexicans who.
Are trying to find differentpathways to reclaim their
(03:31):
culture and their roots.
And one of them is by gettingdual citizenship.
I've definitely heard a lot ofpeople saying, well, I'm getting
dual citizenship just in case.
And it's kind of like a backupfor various reasons, but we all
know why, because of thecurrent, uh, political climate
that is going on right now.
(03:52):
And it's not even political, Ithink it's just social.
Um, you know, inequalities thatare going on with our immigrant
community.
And so a lot of folks arereclaiming this other pathway to
be protected, but also just incase if something were to happen
either to their family or tothemselves or whatever reason.
So for us, it obviously, oursituation is different.
(04:15):
You know, I don't, we are not.
Um, personally affected by whywe decided to get dual
citizenship.
I think initially it was becausewe just wanted to, I think for
me, I, I just wanted to haveanother passport because I think
passports are so cool.
Alejandro (04:34):
Okay.
Jessica (04:34):
But, but yeah, I think for me at least, it's uh,
another way to be closer to themotherland and For me to pass
that on to my kids.
Uh, I don't know why you decidedto get dual citizenship.
I
Alejandro (04:48):
don't know.
Uh, for me, uh, I didn't reallyhave a specific reason as to why
I wanted to get, or as to why Igot my dual citizenship.
Um, I guess it was for me not tonot feel left out.
You know, my wife, my two kidshad their citizenship.
So at the end of the day, I wasjust like.
(05:09):
Screw it.
I'll just do it too, you know?
And it's easier, you know, youdon't have to be worried about
getting fined or mm-hmm.
Any of the other stuff thatcould happen if you don't have
the right, um, documentation, Iguess.
Yeah.
But, um, yeah, I didn't have nospecific reason as to why I got
mine.
Jessica (05:26):
You just joined the bandwagon?
Yeah,
Alejandro (05:27):
I joined the bandwagon.
Yeah.
The bandwagon jumper now, Iguess.
Jessica (05:30):
Yeah.
No, but it's, it's interestingbecause I.
Got mine first along with thekids.
Mm-hmm.
And then you did yours kind ofon your own.
And so we can definitely talkabout our two different
experiences'cause they were verydifferent, uh, in terms of
getting our dual citizenship.
And specifically here in Mexico.
And as part of this topic, Ihave received a lot of questions
(05:52):
about what are the necessarydocuments?
What are the requirements?
Do my parents have to be inperson?
Do I have to go and make anappointment at a consulate
office?
Can I do it in Mexico?
And so all of these questionsthat I have gotten, and I mean,
there were about hundreds ofquestions that I have received
over the course of, since springof 2025 until now that we are at
(06:15):
the end of 2025.
And all of these questions areanswered directly on my new, how
to Get Dual Citizenship inMexico E-Guide and Digital
Course.
And so if in case you areinterested or wondering what
it's like to get dualcitizenship, like you need
(06:36):
someone to guide you along theway.
I'm here to help you.
Por it is an overwhelmingprocess and some of us don't
really realize, like, what arethe specific requirements.
You know, we're often told bylike word of mouth, but then
again, when it comes to a verycentralized like pathway, I've
(06:56):
shared this through our ownpersonal experience, what it
looks like.
But also just sharing with youwhat those requirements are in a
step-by-step process.
So within the e-guide, it'sbasically a visual that you can
kind of work along your way.
If you are an independent personand kind of wanna do this on
your own, the e-guide is kind oflike a resource as like to check
(07:18):
the boxes to make sure thatyou've got everything covered.
But if you want a morepersonable, like almost like a
one-on-one experience where Iliterally walk you through this
pathway in getting dualcitizenship.
This is when you can get thedigital course.
It consists of five differentmodules and all of them talk
specifically about getting dualcitizenship in Mexico.
(07:41):
A lot of times we just know thatgetting dual citizenship can be
done in at the consulate, um, inthe United States, but this is
another pathway in a very quickway.
Um, an economical way to, togetting your dual citizenship.
So this is all based on ourexperience and that's what I
share in my digital course.
(08:01):
Along with the digital course,you'll also receive the e-guide.
So it's basically two in onesort of thing.
So if you are interested in,knowing how to get dual
citizenship in Mexico, justclick on the link shown in the
description of this podcast orthe description of this YouTube
video.
And, you know, you candefinitely purchase my guide and
(08:25):
or uh, digital course, and thatway you can claim your heritage
and your cultura by getting dualcitizenship.
Alejandro (08:33):
And I can personally vouch for it, not because she's
my wife or anything, but she didhelp me get my stuff done too.
So,
Jessica (08:39):
yes, so I am living proof that I've definitely
helped a lot of people.
Uh, I have a couple cousins thatare now getting their dual
citizenship, and so I'm like,you know what?
Why don't I just convert thisinto a way for me to not.
Get paid for the services thatI'm offering, but also it's a
genuine, heartfelt project thatI put into because I think it is
(09:00):
time for us to claim somethingthat we've been inherited, but
we often don't talk about thistype of inheritance.
We often think about money, weoften think about assets, but
getting another, like gettingcitizenship from a different
country, that in itself iswealth and.
That's why I'm sharing it out tothe world.
So, check out the, the link inthe description and yeah,
(09:23):
hopefully you can join me.
Alright, so one of the thingsthat we wanna share in this
podcast episode, you know, we'renot gonna talk about, these are
the things that you need to dobecause literally this.
Podcast episode can be a fullblown podcast in itself or a
series, and this is just anotherway for you to get my digital
course or eide.
Ha ha.
(09:43):
But I think this episode willmostly touch based on our
experience.
Mm-hmm.
How do we feel about theprocess?
How do we feel after we did thisprocess in getting dual
citizenship?
So I don't know if you wannastart or me,
Alejandro (09:59):
um, I guess, I don't know if you
Jessica (10:01):
wanna hear the good news or the, the good thing or
the bad.
Alejandro (10:03):
Well, let's go with the bad side first.
So I thought you can beenlightened by the easier side,
I guess.
Um, but yeah, I mean, for me itwas difficult.
Almost right.
It wasn't impossible, but, uh, Iguess, I guess the reason for me
why it was a more lengthyprocess than it was for just is
(10:26):
because I had to go through alittle bit more, um, strenuous.
Process, I guess almoststrenuous, but
Jessica (10:34):
I think it's like an additional step you
Alejandro (10:36):
have to do.
Yeah.
So, um, but yeah, I mean, at theend of the day, I still got it
done, right.
I mean, it wasn't, I think if Iwere to put like a timeframe, it
took me how long, like a week
Jessica (10:47):
maybe?
Well.
From the initial, initial part?
Mm-hmm.
I think it it took you twomonths.
Alejandro (10:53):
Two months, yeah.
Jessica (10:54):
So do you wanna talk about your birth certificate?
Because that was like the veryinitial step of the process.
Alejandro (11:01):
My birth certificate, they messed up my birth
certificate.
Like your US birth certificate?
Yeah, my US birth certificate inChicago, uh, they misspelled my
mom's last name, so I had to getthat done.
Uh, twice I think, wasn't it?
I think it was twice.
Jessica (11:16):
Was it twice?
Alejandro (11:16):
I think it was twice.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I had to get it done twice.
Um, and then, yeah, when wenoticed it, we were just like,
dammit.
Right.
And then, so we were alreadyhere.
Yeah.
So then, um, I had to, had my, Ihad to, I had to have my cousin
help me out to go once it wasfixed, go get it, Apostol, and
then mailed over, well, not evenmailed, but it was delivered to
(11:37):
us by, by her grandma.
Yeah.
Um, and then after that, whathappened?
Jessica (11:42):
Yeah, then you got started with the and everything.
Yeah.
But that is definitely one thingand one big tip of, tip of
advice that I share in my courseand, and the eide is that all of
the documents have to match.
Like your name has to match and.
Every single document.
Mm-hmm.
Otherwise, you are not gonna getdual citizenship.
(12:04):
Mm-hmm.
So at first we thought, oh,Alex, you know, you're next in
line.
You can get dual citizenship.
And then when I was literallyreading your birth certificate,
okay, who gets to read birthcertificates?
You just get a copy it.
Like, I remember, it's almostlike a rite of passage once you
go to college or get married orwhatever, your parents just hand
you all these importantdocuments and you don't even pay
(12:24):
attention to them until thistime around.
I looked at your birthcertificate, I was like, ah,
Alex, your mom's last name ismissing a letter.
Mm-hmm.
So we, we were like, oh, crap.
So we thought that we would getthis done at.
A vital records office.
(12:45):
So in this case, at the CookCounty Clerk's office.
Mm-hmm.
In Chicago.
But unfortunately you couldn'teven send it there in person to
get it corrected like you had tomail it.
Mm-hmm.
In, and it was at, essentiallysent to the state capital, but
then Spring.
Springfield.
Springfield, yeah.
Which
Alejandro (13:02):
took 12 weeks.
Yeah.
Took the full 12 weeks.
Yeah.
Jessica (13:05):
It took longer.
Well, it actually took longerthan two months.
Now that.
We think about it.
Mm-hmm.
It's like three, four months.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
For you to get your dualcitizenship.
Mm-hmm.
So for him, it was a verylengthy process because his
mom's last name, who was born inMexico her name didn't match.
His, mm-hmm.
To his like birth certificateand also with her birth
(13:26):
certificate in Mexico.
So you have to definitely doublecheck that all names are spelled
correctly, that they're actuallytrue.
And a lot of us as children ofimmigrants are families.
I, I think your mom was probablyvulnerable where she didn't
double check because I mean.
Who, when you get your birthcertificate, it's literally like
(13:48):
the day after you were born.
Yeah.
And all of us moms are in thisbig fog, like we don't double
check.
And, and I had this experienceright with Mateo.
I think they, I think initiallythey like misspelled it,
misspelled your name orsomething.
And I was like, is it for, forreal?
And then you probably checked,
Alejandro (14:10):
I don't remember.
I don't remember.
It was such a
Jessica (14:11):
fog, but.
But we all get it, you know?
Mm-hmm.
And so that's definitely onething that I highly, highly
recommend is to double checkwhat the names, how you know,
how the names are presented onyour birth certificate, as well
as your parent who was born inMexico.
How does that match with both?
Like how do they correspond witheach other, essentially?
(14:31):
Yeah, that's a really good, goodcall.
Yeah.
Yeah.
so after all that stuff gotcorrected, we then went to, in
Leon.
Alejandro (14:41):
Yeah.
And then that process was just.
It, it was, it was quick.
Yeah, it was quick.
I threw, I think we were like inand out.
Like, what, like 30 minutes?
Jessica (14:49):
Yeah.
I mean, they basically verifiedthe documents and because we, we
walked in, so we didn't evenmake an appointment.
Mm-hmm.
We just like walked in.
We double checked the locationon Google Maps and we double
checked the times and they werejust about to close.
Mm-hmm.
Because that's one of thedownfalls, just like all
government offices, they closewithin like work hours.
(15:09):
Mm-hmm.
And so luckily Alex, I think youleft an hour early.
Yeah.
So that we could get there ontime, but they were literally
about to close.
Yeah.
And so what they were like, youknow what, right now we don't
have any time, but let me lookat the documents.
And then we'll let you know ifthere's anything missing and no,
nothing was missing.
We basically handed over the,the required documents, which
(15:30):
again, I'll explain in my eguand course.
And, um, and yeah, they werelike, you know what?
Come back Friday and we'll havethis ready.
So yeah.
So honestly, like Alex didn'teven have to be present.
Mm-hmm.
He just needed someone.
A, a Mexican citizen because Iwas before him.
And, um, I was able to, to, youknow mm-hmm.
(15:51):
The, and go on his behalf to, toprocess this.
So that was easy.
Alejandro (15:57):
It was very easy.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And then, um, and what
Jessica (16:00):
was the hardest part for you afterwards?
Alejandro (16:03):
Uh, the passport, it was a password, but before we
get to that, I mean even likewhen I got the, the INE, um,
that was a very easy process aswell.
Mm-hmm.
Um, the only thing that wasneeded there, you needed to have
two witnesses, right?
Yeah.
Two witnesses to get your INEYeah.
And then, um, kn your cousin orYeah.
Whatever she is.
Prima.
Prima, yeah.
Pretty much.
Yeah.
(16:23):
Yeah.
She was able to be there with uswhile I, when I sent, while I
signed, uh, the INE paperworkand all that stuff.
And then, um, that took sevendays.
To get
Jessica (16:32):
to get your INE.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And it took, took
Alejandro (16:34):
us, it took me seven days to get that INE.
Mm-hmm.
And then the fun part was apassport.
That was fun.
Uh, and I say that verysarcastically.
Um, yeah, I mean, it was,initially I thought it was gonna
be all smooth, you know, we didthe, the, we set up the
appointment online.
Mm-hmm.
And then we have a office overhere, like five minutes from us.
(16:57):
Did the appointment, went inperson.
And they hated me as soon as Iwalked in.
I'm exaggerating a little bit,right?
But no, I mean, it was,everything was going smooth.
Everything was going fine untilthe one dude that was handling
my paperwork asked me where Iwas from.
And then once I told'em, oh, Iwas born in the United States,
it was just like a little sideeye.
(17:18):
It was just like, uh, you'refrom the United States.
And then from there they justgave me, can I swear on here?
Jessica (17:26):
Yeah,
Alejandro (17:27):
they gave me shit, the whole process.
Right.
Um, yeah, it took, I think I wasthere for like an hour the first
time.
Yeah.
It took, yeah, it was about anhour.
But, um, yeah, as soon as he, assoon as that one person asked me
where my, where I'm from, toldhim, yeah.
He just like literally did hisbest to drag out the process.
(17:47):
And then I still did not get mypassword that same day.
Mm-hmm.
Right.
Um, I just feel like they werelooking at nitpicking
everything.
Oh, and 1, 1, 1 thing too, uh,one word of advice, um, for any
paperwork that you may have,like your birth certificate,
your parents' birth certificate.
Make sure that it's not folded.
Make sure that it's not folded,because
Jessica (18:08):
I think they were just telling you that.
So in case they can give youissues, but just
Alejandro (18:11):
in case.
Yeah.
You know, just have all yourpaperwork, like the way it's
supposed to be.
Don't fold it because that wasone bad thing that they were,
that was one thing that theywere telling me that that was
one reason why I couldn't get mypassport because my paperwork
was folded.
Mm-hmm.
All right.
And then after that I took mypictures, and then the final
one, my signature.
(18:32):
So I'm not the type of personthat, um, from when the custom
signature I just scribbled.
I just scribbled.
Yeah.
I just scribble.
Yeah, I scribble.
And I, I've been doing thatsince I can remember.
Never had an issue.
Never ever had an issue until.
When I was trying to get mypassword right, like I signed
it, they were looking at it,they're like, oh yeah, your
(18:54):
signature doesn't match thesignature on the INE.
Mm-hmm.
And then, yeah, make sure that,that your, your signature is the
same.
Yeah.
And then they gave me,
Jessica (19:03):
I mean, it should be the same.
It shouldn't be scribbles, nooffense,
Alejandro (19:05):
whatever.
My, my signature looksprofessional.
But anyways.
But anyways.
Yeah.
Um.
And they gave me like about, Ithink like 30 tries to try to
get it the same as it was on theEnum.
And I'm just like, for the, forthe laugh of me, I couldn't do
it.
You know?
'cause I guess it's not anexcuse or anything, but I think
it's just muscle memory in myarm.
Like I just scribble, you know?
(19:28):
And then, uh, at the lastmoment, at the last one, they're
like, yeah, you know what?
Your signatures don't match.
Had four office managers staringme down.
Right.
And just making me nervous.
And they were just like, yeah,I'm sorry.
We can't do it.
So it was because of hissignature.
Jessica (19:42):
He left empty handed and
Alejandro (19:44):
left empty handed
Jessica (19:45):
without his passport.
And that was because he went toan office here in Mexico.
Mm-hmm.
And yeah, and compared to myexperience, it was very
different.
Wait,
Alejandro (19:56):
but weren't they telling me to get like all these
bunch of paperworks too?
Jessica (19:58):
Yeah.
They also asked for your mom'sbirth certificate.
Yeah.
When.
His, he already had gotten hisbirth certificate Mexicano.
Mm-hmm.
Because he went through firstand got registered and now he's
officially a Mexicano and soall.
What he had to turn in and it'sliter literally stated on the
Mexican government's website toget a passport.
(20:20):
All what you need is your INE,which is the first thing that he
did as soon as he got registeredin.
You need a, your copy of yourop, you know, your, or whatever,
and you need your birthcertificate.
And the payment.
So you had to pay before goingin.
So we paid at a bank andeverything.
We got the receipt, we had allthe paperwork that was listed
(20:42):
and stated on their website.
However, again, they were givinghim issues and they were like,
something else is missing.
Mm-hmm.
Your mom's birth certificate.
Alejandro (20:54):
Yeah.
Jessica (20:54):
I've never heard of that, like.
Yeah, I think they were justgiving you Yeah, they were
giving me a hard time, like ahard time.
They were giving you issues,qualms, you know, like, they're
like, we're not gonna mm-hmm.
Give him his Mexican passportbecause it was Mexicano.
But yeah, I don't know.
I don't know.
I think that was very bogus.
And so to this day he still, henever got his passport in Mexico
(21:17):
and so
Alejandro (21:18):
we ended up making an appointment at the one in
Chicago.
Yeah.
Jessica (21:21):
So, but before that, like.
The Mexican government has yourmoney.
Yeah.
Like you paid vie for thispassport that you never got in
Mexico.
Alejandro (21:32):
Mm-hmm.
Jessica (21:33):
And it wasn't until you went to Chicago.
When we last went to Chicagoearly this fall.
You made an appointment andluckily we had already made that
appointment'cause we were likejust in case.
Yeah.
You know, they give you issues.
So we had already scheduled theappointment literally day of
when we flew into Chicago.
Like that morning.
Such a long day.
Yeah.
That day.
But you, after how many minutes?
Did you spend there?
(21:54):
I think I was
Alejandro (21:54):
only there for like 20 minutes.
Jessica (21:56):
Yeah.
He got his password ate and itwas just a
Alejandro (21:57):
completely different experience there because I mean,
like I was, I was freaking out.
'cause I'm just like, what aboutif they tell me the same stuff?
You know, that your signature isdifferent And yeah, I got there,
um, did the whole process, took,got my picture taken your, uh,
fingerprints signed.
And then he was just like, helooked at it, he was looking at
my.
(22:18):
I think my, mm-hmm.
Yeah.
He was looking at my, and mypassport, the, the signature I
have for the passport.
He was just like, oh yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
So I'm like, wow.
Okay, cool.
But, you know, it sucked.
It sucked trying to get mypassport here in Mexico.
'cause it, it was kind ofembarrassing, you know, like to
(22:39):
Yeah.
They gave you a
Jessica (22:39):
hard time.
Yeah.
Yeah.
But,
Alejandro (22:40):
um.
Yeah, it was just a completelydifferent experience back in,
back, back in Chicago.
Yeah.
They were just like, oh, it's alittle bit different.
No matter.
Go get your stuff.
Yeah.
And Ada boom.
Jessica (22:52):
Yeah, that, that, that's what's hard.
Mm-hmm.
And again, you know, thegovernment owes us money.
I don't know how we can get thatmoney back.
That's still something he kindof gave up, but I'm like, no.
Like it was the like a hundredsomething dollars.
No,
Alejandro (23:07):
it was like 600 pesos around there somewhere.
Jessica (23:09):
Oh, okay.
But still money is money andYeah.
So compared to this unfortunatebut fortunate experience, you
know, now he's officially aMexican citizen.
You know, he's gotten his dualcitizenship.
Uh, for my experience, it wasdifferent.
The way that we did it was thatwe went to a, um, office in, so
(23:35):
it's a small little Pueblo.
And when, uh, at first my momturned in the documents for me,
uh, because at that time I, weweren't in Mexico.
Uh, but we happened to go duringspring break and we ended up
going to spring break, what, theweek after my mom had dropped
off the documents.
So it literally took about 10days, 10 business days or so,
(24:00):
uh, to fully process my tro, uh,que the lady who worked at the
office.
Had to take all thedocumentation in, in the
Guanajuato city, which is thestate capital, and they kind of
processed it.
Whereas compared to, um, Alex,it only took like two days
(24:21):
basically to process the wholething.
Mm-hmm.
So that is a difference in goingto re office in a small pueblo.
Versus like in a city, becausethey kind of do it kind of like
then and there.
Whereas with me, they kind of dothe slow process.
But the good thing is that Ididn't even have to be in Mexico
when my mom handed in thosedocuments.
(24:41):
I did ended up going to Mexicobecause we had planned this trip
in the spring and it happened tobe that, um, my, my, um, birth
certificate was ready andeverything.
You know, I collected it and onthat same day, I then processed
our kids.
Mm-hmm.
Re and that alone took anotherweek because again, I did it in
(25:05):
the office, in my parents.
And then, um, yeah, it tookabout, overall it took about two
weeks total between me and thekids to get their done.
And again, as far as with likewhat it was, what documents did
we turn in?
Again, that's in my eide and inmy course.
So please support me, uh,because I do share a wealth of
(25:29):
information for you.
After we have collected our, um,birth certificates, the Mexico,
you know, we got in the CURPsand everything, we traveled back
to Chicago, um, and.
We did it at, we got ourpassports at the consulate.
So if you go to the consulate inthe United States and wanting to
(25:51):
get your passport, the documentsare a little different as far as
with what they requi require.
So for example, for Alex, if yougo to UNO in Mexico, they're
gonna require your, your birthcertificate and your group in
the consulate.
They're gonna require yourgroup, your birth certificate,
(26:12):
and.
A form of identification, whichcould be your US passport.
So they accepted that as a formof identification because at
that time, I mean, I didn't haveanything else to prove that I am
from Mexico.
So, uh, yeah, they accepted itat the consulate.
So depending on where you wannago, I mean, it could work both
ways, unless your signature iscrappy and they don't accept you
(26:33):
like Alex did in Mexico.
But we found that going to theconsulate and getting your
passport is much easier andfaster than doing it here in
Mexico.
Mm-hmm.
So just a quick tip, like forus, our experience in getting
the done in Mexico was muchsimpler than if we were to go to
the consulate, but if you'regetting your passport, it's much
(26:53):
simpler to do it in Indo then inMexico.
Yes.
So it's kind of like vice versa.
Um, and then with my INE, whatI.
Once we moved here in Mexico, Igot my INE and that was easy.
That was a piece of cake becauseI've obviously had had my birth
certificate and my, um, Mexicanpassport, so that was easy.
(27:14):
You could potentially get yourINE at a consulate office, but
what I have found is that it'snot going to be as valid as if
you were getting your INE inMexico.
And the reason why is because ofthe domi.
Okay, so like your streetaddress it, if you get your INE,
in your street address will bewherever you live in the United
(27:36):
States.
But if you get your INE here, inMexico, that address will show
whatever address that you'reshowing as lio.
So it could be like yourgrandparents.
Utility bill.
That's what I did.
Yeah.
It could be if you decide tomove to Mexico, it could be your
lease agreement and then,
Alejandro (27:54):
which is what we, I did, which is what
Jessica (27:54):
Alex did.
Yeah, so it all depends.
I mean, you can have an INE, butit depends for what purpose.
Like if you decide to vote hereat a certain election time and
if they seek it, your Rios fromlike the United States, they're
not gonna let you.
It has to be a dorio here inMexico.
So that's just one of thethings.
But yeah, you can get all ofthese documents either in
(28:17):
Mexico.
Here or in ADO in the UnitedStates.
And again, in my digital courseand my eide, I share a lot of
information about where you canfind these locations and
everything.
Uh, so you know, whatever routethat you decide, I think.
Good, that's good for you.
You know, at the end we're allgoing to be dual citizens, but
(28:39):
it just depends on what type ofprocess you wanna consider.
And for us, we found that again,getting the done in Mexico was
much quicker, faster, and evenlike cost effective.
Yeah.
And again, I share that in myegu and digital course.
Alejandro (28:56):
Yeah, I mean in both, both of our experiences.
For me it took, what total timewas about four months maybe.
And you, it was what, two weeks?
Jessica (29:04):
Yeah.
Alejandro (29:05):
So yeah, depending on your situation, it can go from
there two weeks to four months.
Mm-hmm.
Probably even longer.
Who knows?
Yeah.
Jessica (29:12):
Yeah.
So, yeah, so let me know if youhave any questions about getting
dual citizenship.
Like I said, I will be linkingmy Eide and digital course here
in the show notes as well as theYouTube description of this
episode.
And as always, feel free toreach out.
But Alex, it was such a pleasurehaving you on the podcast.
It was really fun to have you,uh, these past five weeks.
(29:35):
I really appreciate yourpresence, but also just the fact
that we got to do this together.
Mm-hmm.
Um, I think all of us alwaysdream of doing something
different, but if you don't havethe right partnership, you know,
the right, um, type ofcommunication with your partner,
if you are in a partnerrelationship, you know, things
can be heavy on you.
And so this is just another signto not do this alone.
(29:57):
Open up with your partner andyou never know, like I always
envision myself living abroad.
He, it wasn't until I literallyopened up to him, I was like,
why don't we just move toMexico?
And then it then started to feedinto him and, and that's how we
made it, you know, possible.
So, yeah.
I know I'm getting sidetracked,but you know, this is just
(30:19):
another sign to just, you know,uh, have this open communication
with your partner.
Alejandro (30:24):
So everything was she said.
And thank you for having me on.
Um, I hope I did a decent job.
Yeah,
Jessica (30:30):
you did.
Yay.
Alright, amiga.
Well thank you so much forlistening.
Asima on the next episode.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.