Everything you'll need
Bring these, and closing is smooth.
One simple list. Check each item off before you sign, I'll tell you exactly when each one is needed.
None of this is complicated, and you won't gather it alone. Here's everything a buyer needs, grouped so it's easy to pull together.
Your document checklist
Your ID and legal status
- Valid passport (color scan)
- A second official ID or driver's license
- Your tourist card (FMM) or residency card, to show your legal stay
Your home-country tax number
- US buyers: your SSN (Social Security number)
- Canadian buyers: your SIN (Social Insurance number)
This is simply your home-country tax ID. The notary needs it to register the purchase, it's standard for every foreign buyer.
Proof of address
- A recent utility bill (electricity, water, or gas), no older than 3 months, in your name
Marital status and beneficiaries
- Marriage certificate, if you're married
- Your chosen beneficiaries: full name, contact, and a copy of their passport
Most couples name each other first and their children second. I'll walk you through it.
Where your funds come from
- The bank details of the account your funds come from
- Account holder name and bank address
Every buyer provides this. Mexican law asks the notary to confirm the source of funds, it's a standard step, not a hurdle.
Special cases
- Buying through an LLC or company: incorporation documents
- Buying through a trust: the trust agreement
- IDs and KYC for all shareholders or trustees
Buying as an individual? You can skip this section.
Why this matters
It's the law, not bureaucracy.
Mexican notaries are required to confirm who's buying and where the money comes from. That's all this list is. My job is to make it effortless, I tell you what's needed and when, and I connect you with the notary, legal, and tax professionals who handle the rest.
Escrow, signing and costs
Escrow, closing day, and what it costs.
Escrow is a neutral third-party company that holds your money safely until both sides sign the deed. The funds are released only when you and the seller sign at the notary, never before. It is the standard, secure way every transaction here is handled.
I do. We work with only three escrow companies, and I select and manage everything for you. If you would like a say, I will gladly share their names, the documentation that proves their legitimacy, and their insurance policies. Protecting your money is my priority.
You need neither. The escrow companies we use hold accounts in the United States, so US buyers send and receive funds through ordinary domestic transfers. For Canadian buyers, funds route through the United States and convert to US dollars. From there, depending on the seller's structure, they stay in dollars or convert to pesos.
Every transaction is specific. Most buyers and sellers here are foreigners, so the deal is usually carried out in foreign currency (Canadian or US dollars), which keeps exchange-rate exposure to a minimum. For the cases that do involve conversion, I have solutions and we handle them one by one.
Yes. Closing in Mexico is a formal event. Buyers, sellers, agents, and attorneys gather at the notary, and we spend two to four hours signing documents, going over the process, the next steps, and your questions. If you or your partner cannot be there in person, tell me during Stage 3, when the notary goes to work, because it shapes how the deed is drafted and adds a Power of Attorney to the file so your signature is fully covered.
Closing costs run between 3% and 8% of the purchase price. The exact figure depends on the property value, whether it sits in Jalisco or Nayarit, and whether you are creating a new trust or assuming an existing one. You can estimate yours in minutes with my closing-cost calculator, and I deliver three notary quotes during due diligence so you confirm the real number yourself.
The main line items are the transfer tax (2% in Nayarit, an indexed calculation in Jalisco since January 2023), notary fees, public registry fees, the appraisal, the Foreign Affairs permit (only when creating a new trust), the bank opening fee, cadastral rights, the first year of trust maintenance, and 16% VAT on applicable fees. Translations and apostilles are extra if your documents need them. The calculator breaks every line down for your specific property.
When you're ready
Let's get you ready to close.
Send me a message and I'll tell you exactly which of these you need first, and handle the rest with you.