Understanding the Apostille: What It Is and What It Isn'T
An "Apostilla" (Apostille) in Mexico is a vital certification placed on a public document.1 Its sole purpose is
to certify the authenticity of the signature or seal of the public official who issued or signed that document.1
This confirms that the person, such as a public servant or notary, was acting in their official capacity and
that their signature is genuine.3
However, a critical limitation must be understood: the apostille does not validate or certify
the content of the document itself.1 For example, an apostille on a university diploma certifies the
registrar's signature, not the academic credentials. The applicant is fully responsible for ensuring the
document's content is accurate.
The Hague Convention: Mexico's Legal Basis for Apostilles
The apostille process is a function of international law, specifically the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961
Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (the Apostille Convention).4
Mexico became a party to this convention on August 14, 1995.2
The convention's goal was to simplify the recognition of public documents abroad. It replaced the slow and costly
"chain legalization" (legalización en cadena) process—which required multiple government and embassy
certifications—with a single, standardized certificate (the apostille) from the document's country of origin.2
Apostille vs. Legalization: Which Do You Need?
The apostille exists alongside a separate, traditional process called "Legalization" (Legalización). The one you
need depends entirely on the destination country.
Apostille: Used exclusively for public documents intended for use in countries
that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.7
Legalization: The traditional certification process that remains mandatory for documents
destined for countries that are not members of the Hague Convention.
Government portals often list this as a combined service ("Legalización y/o Apostilla").3 The applicant's first
step is to identify the destination country and its convention status (see Table 4). The federal government
charges different fees for each: $2,048.50 MXN for an apostille versus $754.00 MXN for a legalization.10 Using
the wrong process will make the document invalid in the destination country.
Where to Get an Apostille in Mexico: Federal vs. State
The Most Important Step: Identifying the Correct Authority
This is the most critical part of the process. Unlike countries with a single national authority, Mexico's
apostille system is bifurcated. Responsibility is strictly divided between the federal government and the
individual state governments.11
Submitting your document to the wrong authority will result in an automatic rejection. For example, the federal
government explicitly states it does not apostille state or municipal documents, such as birth certificates.10
Federal Documents: Secretaría de Gobernación (SEGOB)
For any document issued by a federal-level agency, the only competent authority is the
Secretaría de Gobernación (SEGOB), or Ministry of the Interior.13
The specific office is the Dirección de Coordinación Política con los Poderes de la Unión
(DICOPPU).14
This federal authority handles documents from:
Federal government ministries (e.g., Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP), Secretaría de Salud).
Federal public institutes (e.g., Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS)).
National public universities (UNAM, UAM, IPN, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo).10
Federal judicial authorities.
Federal criminal record certificates (Constancia de Antecedentes Penales Federales).16
State & Municipal Documents: State Government Offices (Entidades Federativas)
For documents issued by state-level or municipal-level authorities, you must get the apostille from the competent
authority within that specific federal entity.11
Each of Mexico's 32 federal entities (31 states and Mexico City) has its own designated office, usually the
Secretaría General de Gobierno (State Government's General Secretariat).
This state-level authority handles documents such as:
Civil Registry documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.) issued in that state.
Documents certified by a Notario Público (Public Notary) licensed in that state.
State-level judicial rulings.
State university diplomas.
Any other document from a state or municipal public servant.
For example, Mexico City (CDMX) documents are apostilled by the Dirección General Jurídica y de Estudios
Legislativos.3 Jalisco documents are handled by the Área de Certificaciones del Estado de
Jalisco.18
Table 1: Federal vs. State Apostille Jurisdiction (Quick Guide)
Use this table to identify the correct competent authority based on your document.
Document Type
Issuing Authority (Example)
Competent Apostille Authority
Birth/Marriage/Death Certificate
"Registro Civil (e.g., of Puebla)"
Gobierno del Estado de Puebla
"Notarized Act (e.g., Power of Attorney)"
"Notario Público (e.g., of Nuevo León)"
Gobierno del Estado de Nuevo León
State University Diploma
Universidad de Guadalajara
Gobierno del Estado de Jalisco
State Court Ruling
"Tribunal Superior de Justicia (e.g., of CDMX)"
Gobierno de la Ciudad de México
Federal University Diploma
"UNAM, UAM, IPN, U. Autónoma Chapingo"
Secretaría de Gobernación (SEGOB)
Federal Educational Certificate
Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP)
Secretaría de Gobernación (SEGOB)
Federal Criminal Record
Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana
Secretaría de Gobernación (SEGOB)
Federal Agency Document
Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS)
Secretaría de Gobernación (SEGOB)
Data sourced from.3
How to Get a Federal Apostille (SEGOB Process)
The process for getting a federal apostille from SEGOB has several steps and varies by document type.
Step 1: Check for Prerequisite Authentications (Trámites Previos)
Before you can go to SEGOB, many federal documents (especially educational ones) require a "Trámite Previo"
(Prerequisite Procedure). This is an internal authentication that must be completed first.
Specific prerequisites are as follows 10:
IPN, Universidades Tecnológicas, and federal schools: Must first be authenticated by the
SEP's Unidad de Actualización Normativa, Legalidad y Regulación.
Private Universities (SEP-incorporated): Must be authenticated by the Dirección General
de Acreditación, Incorporación y Revalidación (DGAIR) of the SEP.
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM): Must first be certified by the university's
Secretaría General.
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM): Study plans must be certified by the
Dirección de Certificación y Control Documental.
UNAM-incorporated private universities: Must first be authenticated by the Dirección
General de Incorporación y Revalidación de Estudios.
Exception: Documents from the Universidad Autónoma Chapingo require no
prerequisite step and can be taken directly to SEGOB.10
Step 2: Federal Requirements & Cost (2025)
Cost (2025):$2,048.50 MXN per document.10 This fee is set by the Ley
Federal de Derechos.9
Payment: Must be paid before the procedure at a bank using the downloadable "hoja
de ayuda para el pago de derechos".10
Required Documents: Present the following in original format 10:
Documento a apostillar: The original document (with its Trámite Previo
completed, if required) bearing the federal official's original signature.
Comprobante de Pago: The original bank payment receipt.
Identificación oficial: A valid official ID (e.g., INE, passport).
CURP: A printed copy of your CURP.10
Step 3: Choose Your Application Method (In-Person, Mail, or Online)
SEGOB offers three distinct pathways for this service. (This structure mimics the "How it Works" section of the target template).
In-Person (Presencial) at CDMX
Location: DICOPPU, Río Amazonas # 62, Colonia Cuauhtémoc, C.P. 06500, Ciudad de México.10
Hours: Document reception is 9:00 to 13:00, Monday to Friday.9
Processing Time:
1 to 5 documents: Delivered the same business day.9
6 to 50 documents: Must be submitted before 10:00 and will be delivered the next
business day.9
By Mail (Trámite por Mensajería)
This option is for individuals living outside of Mexico City.10
Process: Send all required documents (see Step 2) to the SEGOB office (Río Amazonas no. 62,
tercer piso).
Courier: The service must be sent via DHL exclusively.10
Requirements: The package must include a prepaid DHL return guide and an
escrito libre (free-form letter) detailing the request, listing the documents, providing contact
info, and naming the destination country.10
Processing Time:4 business daysafter the office receives the
documents, plus shipping time.10
Electronic Apostille (e-Apostille)
This fully digital process is available for only one specific document: the Constancia
de Antecedentes Penales Federales (CAPF) (Federal Criminal Record Certificate).16
Enter the CAPF folio (folio number) and your CURP.16
Select the destination country and provide an email address.16
The system generates a payment order (línea de captura) for the $2,048.50 MXN fee.16
After payment (which can take up to 72 hours to process), the e-Apostille is generated and a secure PDF is
sent to your email.17 This can be verified internationally via the HCCH e-Register.21
How to Get a State-Level Apostille (Process & Directory)
State Apostille Costs and Procedures: Highly Variable
Unlike the standardized federal process, procedures at the state level are fragmented. Each of the 32 federal
entities sets its own requirements, processing times, and costs.
The cost difference is significant. The federal fee of $2,048.50 MXN is over 1,600% higher than the fee charged
by the Mexico City government for the exact same service, reflecting two different approaches to public
administration.
Case Study: Apostille in Mexico City (CDMX)
Authority:Dirección General Jurídica y de Estudios Legislativos.3
Scope: Documents from CDMX public servants or Notaries Public.3
Cost:$123.00 MXN per document.3
Requirements:
Official ID (original and copy).
Completed application form (Formato TCEJUR-DGJEL_LYA_1.pdf).
The original document with original signature and seal.
Original proof of payment.3
Processing Time: Classified as "Immediate Resolution".3 Documents received
from 9:00-11:00 are delivered back, apostilled, from 13:30-14:30 on the same day.3
Case Study: Apostille in Jalisco
Authority:Área de Certificaciones del Estado de Jalisco.18
Scope: Certifies signatures of Jalisco public servants and notaries for use in Hague
Convention member countries.18
Location: Av. Prolongación Alcalde 1855, Planta Baja, Colonia Miraflores, C.P. 44260,
Guadalajara, Jalisco.14
Contact: 01 (33) 381-924-70.14
Table 2: Cost Comparison: Federal (SEGOB) vs. State (CDMX)
This table illustrates the dramatic cost discrepancy for the same international certification.
Attribute
Federal (SEGOB)
State (CDMX)
Competent Authority
Secretaría de Gobernación (DICOPPU)
Dirección General Jurídica y de Estudios Legislativos
Cost (per document, 2025)
$2,048.50 MXN
$123.00 MXN
Processing Time
Same day (1-5 docs) or Next business day
Immediate Resolution (Same-day)
Example Documents
Federal university degrees, Federal criminal records
Birth/marriage certificates, Notary acts
Data sourced from.3
Table 3: Directory of State-Level Apostille Authorities (Entidades Federativas)
Use this directory to find the apostille and legalization office in all 32 federal entities.
ESTADO
DIRECCIÓN
TELÉFONO
AGUASCALIENTES
Subsecretaría de Gobierno Plaza de la Patria s/n Planta Alta, Palacio de Gobierno, C.P. 20000.
01(449) 910-2013 910-2015 Ext 3407 (Apostilla)
BAJA CALIFORNIA
Edificio del Poder Ejecutivo, Secretaria General de Gobierno, Calzada Independencia #994, 3°
Piso, Col. Centro Cívico, C.P. 21000. Mexicali, Baja California.
01 (686) 558-1000 Ext 1512
BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR
Dirección del Archivo General del Estado, Legalizaciones y Apostillas. Calle Antonio Navarro s/n
esquina Melitón Albañez, Colonia Los Olivos, C.P. 23040. La Paz, Baja California Sur.
01 (612) 122-4082
ZACATECAS
Circuito Cerro del Gato, Edificio I, Coordinación General Jurídica, Ciudad Administrativa. C.P.
98160. Zacatecas, Zacatecas.
01 (492) 491-5000 Ext. 25128 y 25103
Data sourced from.14
Using Your Apostilled Documents (In Mexico & Abroad)
Using Foreign Documents in Mexico: The Two-Step Process
The apostille system is reciprocal. For a foreign public document to be valid in Mexico, it must first
be apostilled by the competent authority in its country of origin.4
This often involves a similar federal/state split. For example, in the United States:
U.S. State Documents: A birth certificate from Texas or a notarized document from
California must be apostilled by the Secretary of State of Texas or California, respectively.24
U.S. Federal Documents: An FBI background check must be apostilled by the U.S. Department
of State's Office of Authentications.24
The Mandatory Second Step: Translation
An apostille only grants the foreign document legal entry; it does not make it usable in Mexico. If the
document is in any language other than Spanish, it will be rejected by Mexican authorities.
The document and its apostille must be translated into Spanish by a Perito Traductor Autorizado
(Authorized Expert Translator).4 This translator must be authorized by the Tribunal Superior de
Justicia (State Supreme Court) of the specific Mexican state where the document will be used.4
Documents That Cannot Be Apostilled
The Hague Convention is broad but specifically excludes two types of documents 11:
Documents executed by diplomatic or consular agents.
Administrative documents dealing directly with commercial or customs operations.
Table 4: Hague Apostille Convention Member Countries (127 Parties)
The entire apostille process is only valid if the destination country is one of the 127 contracting parties to
the 1961 Hague Convention.
Parte contratante
VIG (Entrada en vigor)
Parte contratante
VIG (Entrada en vigor)
Albania
9-V-2004
Islas Marshall
14-VIII-1992
Alemania
13-II-1966
Israel
14-VIII-1978
Andorra
31-XII-1996
Italia
11-II-1978
Venezuela
16-III-1999
Data sourced from the official HCCH status table.8 List is current as of July 29, 2024.
Marco Jurídico. Apostilla y Legalización de documentos, Certificación de ejemplares del Diario Oficial.
Sitio Oficial del Gobierno, accessed on November 2, 2025,
http://dicoppu.segob.gob.mx/es/DICOPPU/Marco_Juridico
Inicio. Apostilla y Legalización de documentos, Certificación de ..., accessed on November 2, 2025,
https://dicoppu.segob.gob.mx/
Apostilla. Apostilla y Legalización de documentos, Certificación de ejemplares del Diario Oficial. Sitio
Oficial, accessed on November 2, 2025, http://dicoppu.segob.gob.mx/es/DICOPPU/Apostille
Requisitos para Apostilla. Apostilla y Legalización de documentos, Certificación de ejemplares del Diario
Oficial. Sitio Oficial, accessed on November 2, 2025, http://dicoppu.segob.gob.mx/es/DICOPPU/Requisitos
Let us handle the complex federal (SEGOB) or state-level process for you. We ensure your documents are certified correctly and quickly, so you can use them abroad without delay.