BajaNomad

Yet another FM 3 question!

cathart - 5-12-2006 at 01:41 PM

Okay, I think I don't have time to get my FM3 in Rosarito, since we have to move at the end of June, and I hear that the paperwork can take a month to get. We can't go back down to Baja until the end of May, so that's cutting it really close! So we have decided to get it in Los Angeles, and have it validated in Rosarito, which I am told will be fine. It has to be done in the city you live in, although San Diego is faster and easier, the San Diego office told me that. I cannot get ANYONE on the phone in Los Angeles. I did, however get a web address for Los Angeles, and found this requirement, which I don't totally understand:

"-Application in person at the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Mexico in the applicant?s place of residence.

-A valid passport

-Police clearance letter

-2 front view, passport-sized photographs

-Proof of economic means with a minimum monthly income of US$1,000.00, or its equivalent in Mexican currency. Bank statements, Social Security or Pension Receipts are accepted, as well proof of dividends being accrued by an investment in Mexico. Such documents must be notarized and bear the apostille issued by the local Secretary of State. "

What is a Police clearance letter????, and does every single document have to be notarized and have to have the apostille? Also, it doesn't say how many months of bank statements we need, and if they can be a joint statement or if they have to be for each of us.

Don Alley - 5-12-2006 at 04:16 PM

A "police clearance letter" is a letter from your local police or sheriff's dept stating that you are a good citizen that they have not had to lock you up. We don't need this letter in Loreto.

Bank statements: three months worth, either a joint account statement, with a separate copy for each person's application, or separate individual statements. Each applicant will have their own file and each file will need their own copies of bank statements, police letter, etc. For bank statements, we used originals from the bank for our original application; for renewels we printed them out on our computer printer from our bank's website. No notarizing was required.

Notarized: If the consulate or office wants notrrized statements, the notary stamp should serve as the official govt. stamp.

Perhaps one of the advantages of getting it done in Mexico is that the local offices have leared that it's easier for everyone if they don't require a bunch of stuff that can only be aquired from the USA? Like notarized and stamped docs, marriage licenses, police letters, etc. Everything we needed we have available with us in Loreto.

And, finally, the process took a week, if I remember correctly. Renewal less time.

[Edited on 5-12-2006 by Don Alley]

Bob and Susan - 5-12-2006 at 04:20 PM

you're right but i needed my marriage license in Santa Rosalia...i carry it around all the time now:lol:

bajajudy - 5-12-2006 at 04:21 PM

Don, I am moving to Loreto
I turned my FM3 in for renewal March 1. They seem to have lost it. Dont know exactly what that means but the guy helping us has written a letter asking them to find my FM3 or issue a replacement. I had read on this forum about making a copy before you turned it in and it looks like that advise may come in handy.
Quien sabe?

DanO - 5-12-2006 at 04:42 PM

Police clearance letter not needed in Ensenada, either. The only thing they required be notarized and apostilled was our U.S. bank's letters certifying our deposits. We have a joint account and submitted copies of the same statements for each of us.

Bruce R Leech - 5-12-2006 at 04:53 PM

it once took me 18 months for one renewal.:barf:

bancoduo - 5-12-2006 at 05:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
it once took me 18 months for one renewal.:barf:
What did you do in the meantime ?:?:

cathart - 5-13-2006 at 12:18 AM

I'm still not sure if every single bank statement has to be notarized and apostilled. That would seem silly to me. Also, for the police clearance letter, should I just write a letter that says I have never been incarcerated, and then take it to my local police station and have them sign it, or does their signature have to be notarized as well. I just don't want to go all the way downtown with documents that are incomplete!

Diver - 5-13-2006 at 05:54 AM

Having a hard time reading the answers ?

No notary required on bank statements.

Go to your local police station and they will have a form and know what to do. You are not the first to have this done at the police station. It's the same thing that schools require for you to act as a volunteer or chaperone these days. They check to make sure you are not a convicted felon and then issue the letter.

Bob and Susan - 5-13-2006 at 06:20 AM

Ahhh...

do i need this to be a chambelan at the Quincea?era:lol:

cathart - 5-13-2006 at 01:46 PM

Sorry, Bob and Susan to be so dumb, but it really is not clear to me WHICH documents need to be notarized and apostilled. The clearance letter, of course is one document that could be notarized and apostilled, but another question on that one: I live in Beverly Hills, and would much rather go to that police department than all the way downtown, where I probably would have to wait for hours, but of course the Beverly Hills Police department wouldn't have records for the entire City of Los Angeles, only Beverly Hills. Would that suffice, since I'm a resident of Beverly Hills? I ask here because I simply cannot get anyone on the phone at the Mexican Consulate, or any reply at all by email!

[Edited on 5-13-2006 by cathart]

bancoduo - 5-13-2006 at 01:52 PM

Anyone ever have trouble getting a clearance from a police dept?
:?:

Diver - 5-13-2006 at 02:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bancoduo
Anyone ever have trouble getting a clearance from a police dept?
:?:


Why, are you looking for other felons to play with ?? :biggrin:

woody with a view - 5-13-2006 at 02:11 PM

i'm pretty sure that if you are a felon, any police dept will be able to dig it up via NCIC.

and does this mean no felons are allowed to live in mexico?

[Edited on 5-13-2006 by woody in ob]

[Edited on 5-13-2006 by woody in ob]

Don Alley - 5-13-2006 at 04:16 PM

Re: Police report

I think you could get one at any police deptartment. I got one once to be a substitute teacher; ask the secretary at your local school where their subs or volunteers get their clearances.

Notarized bank statements; Hmmm...you'd have to get that done at the bank, by the bank's own notary (or one who makes "house calls") otherwise, who else would legitimately certify them as genuine?

Bob and Susan - 5-13-2006 at 05:08 PM

Here's what you do...

You PAY someonr in Rosarito that assists with FM3's
Cost $100

ONLY get one for now.

They will do the leg work for you....

You get a letter from the immrigration office that lets you leave Mexico for 30 days...$21.00

You make the drive down in 30 days...it's ONLY 3 hours away....
Pick up your completed FM3

You're done...and you'll sleep well.:biggrin:

jerry - 5-14-2006 at 10:44 AM

if no gringo felons are alloud in mexico it should open up the realestate market supply??:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: