BajaNomad

More in detail/FM3

beachbum1A - 12-9-2006 at 07:28 AM

In researching the procedure(s) for obtaining an FM3 where it pertaines to your document that shows you have the minimun monthly income required by Mexico; it says "the document must be notarized and bear the apostille issued by the Secretary of State of the state where the documents were notarized". What in the world does that mean?! In other words when I go to the consulates office in San Diego with my bank statements, what should I have done to them B4 I get there so I'm in conpliance? Thanks.





if Help please.

bajabound2005 - 12-9-2006 at 07:36 AM

Just take your bank statements. You don't need the apostille or notarization until you go for a renewal (for some reason a renewal seems to be more difficult than a first time issue). Take COPIES of the statements as they will just take and keep the page they want. For us, they kept the page that showed the balance. a

FYI, and apostille is proof from the Sec of State's office that the notary public's signature is legit and the notary is in good standing.

Don Alley - 12-9-2006 at 07:41 AM

edit: a little slow on the trigger, bajabound got it.



[Edited on 12-9-2006 by Don Alley]

El Jefe - 12-9-2006 at 07:51 AM

Paula just renewed hers for the first time in the Cabo office and didn't need the apostille. She did need the last three months of our Mexican bank statements. They did not want US bank statements for the renewal, although they were accepted for the new FM3 a year ago.

oldhippie - 12-9-2006 at 08:20 AM

Yikes, Mexican bank statements?? My first year FM-3 expired last week and I will be renewing in TJ where I live, but I don't have a Mexican bank account, largely because Band of America has an agreement with Santander that allows me to use their ATMs without any fees.

Has anyone renewed using American bank statements in TJ?

rts551 - 12-9-2006 at 08:53 AM

I have for the last 6 years in Santa Rosalia.... but each office seems to have their own rules.

[Edited on 12-9-2006 by rts551]

longlegsinlapaz - 12-9-2006 at 09:46 AM

Theoretically, FM3 requirements SHOULD the the same at ANY Immigration office, as it's not a "LOCAL" document....however....I applied for & received my original FM3 at the Mexican Consulate in Portland, OR. When I got to La Paz, I went to Immigration to "check in" & let then know where I'd be living....in case they decided that I was an unsavory person, they'd know where to find me to deport me!:lol: I was advised that I'd have to start the entire FM3 application process & pay all the fees all over again....LOCALLY!!!:(:?: I talked my way out of that by explaining that the Mexican Consulates anywhere in the world are considered to sit on Mexican soil, and that the document really was issued by legal & authorized representatives of Mexican Immigration. I'm not totally sure WHY they feel an FM3 issued outside of Mexico isn't valid, or if it's simply a ploy to get more $$ out of gringos! I know as many people who were NOT able to have this type of discussion successfully, as I know who WERE successful!:?:

I have alternately submitted both US bank statement & Mexican bank statements over the 7 years I've been here. Neither has ever been challenged or rejected. I have never been asked for "notarized or apostille" validation of the statements. In my experience, you will occasionally come across a requirement stated in a "official list of requirements", and when you question what it is or why it's required, the Immigration person waves it off saying "it's not important"!! :lol:

That said, I DO understand that you are pretty much at the mercy of the individual you are speaking with at any given point in time, their understanding of the "requirements", how you interact with them & how the person preceding you interacted with them!:bounce: I've also been told of a unique requirement not on the printed list of requirements, gone off & gotten it....only to get a different person upon my return who tells me it's not necessary!!:bounce: If you speak respectfully & address your questions in a respectful manner as opposed to a belligerent or challenging manner, the eventual outcome is usually in your favor!:bounce:

Lee - 12-9-2006 at 10:24 AM

I too have been advised by at least 2 people in Todos, regarding applying for FM3 in La Paz, that I need to do it in La Paz -- NOT do it at any Mex office in the US. That immigration offices in Baja don't like or recognize FM3 applications filed outside their jurisdiction. So, it sounds like anyone doing that is taking a chance.

(My advice comes from informed and connected people. I believe what they are advising.)

:cool:

Question without End.

MrBillM - 12-9-2006 at 10:33 AM

It seems like at least once a year this whole FM3 question is beat to death and there is no shortage of people supplying "authoritative" information and advice, much of it in conflict and all of it correct.

Unfortunately, this is Mexco and, as I and others have said before, the "regulations" only apply at whatever office you're dealing with. You need to know what THAT office wants you to do. That's why I gave up the hassle about six years ago, put $1500 in a Mexican Bank account and simply go to a broker and pay the $25.00-$35.00 additional per person that they charge.

My renewal process for past years, including this one, is to go in with my old FM3s and a photocopy of the first page of my passport, sign the Mexican documents where the broker has indicated and pay the money. In four weeks (or so) when the new FM3s are ready, I go in to immigration and pick them up. That's ALL Folks !

Worth every dollar spent.

It appears to be different ---

beercan - 12-9-2006 at 10:34 AM

We received our first FM3's in the Mexican Counsulate office in Yuma 4 years ago. They did all the paper work with just a notorized letter from our U.S. local bank (in Spanish) and delivered our FM3's in one day.

We go to Algodones and renew them each year but it usually takes multiple trips each time. But all they have required is a new notorized letter from our local bank --again in Spanish and the payment of $96.00.

That's the Point.

MrBillM - 12-9-2006 at 10:46 AM

It IS different everywhere.

It appears from reading the foregoing posts, I am expending less effort on the process than anyone else and spending a pittance in doing so. The day that spending $50-$70 (for two) once a year
in addition to the miniscule lost interest from the Mexican bank becomes significant, that's when I won't be making enough to live in Baja.

[Edited on 12-9-2006 by MrBillM]

toneart - 12-9-2006 at 02:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
It IS different everywhere.

It appears from reading the foregoing posts, I am expending less effort on the process than anyone else and spending a pittance in doing so. The day that spending $50-$70 (for two) once a year
in addition to the miniscule lost interest from the Mexican bank becomes significant, that's when I won't be making enough to live in Baja.

[Edited on 12-9-2006 by MrBillM]


Yep.....Bill is right! (Uh-h-h, did I say that)?:wow:

oxxo - 12-9-2006 at 06:24 PM

Carumba! Bill. This is probably going to hurt you as much as it hurts me, but I find that I am agreeing with most of your recent posts! I'll have to stop calling you BillyBob. Sometimes (but not always) you make a lot of sense.

Have a Merry Christmas MrBillM.

Don Alley - 12-9-2006 at 09:21 PM

Loreto's always been easy, and fast. They have a checklist, and the only hassle are getting photocopies, but with an all-in-one printer at home even that's easy. And they no longer require a local bank statement, so no waiting in line at the bank.

But hold the presses: Loreto now sends all their FM3s to Cabo, and rumor has it that none are coming back! Yikes!:lol:

jerry - 12-10-2006 at 12:29 PM

dang don i was getting used to getting my fm3 done by myself in loreto this year i need to get a new one any heads up on anything different ill need compared to a renewal??
Cabo??:o:o that makes sence to me?? perhaps they will chang that too by the end of Jan

osoflojo - 12-12-2006 at 11:58 AM

Beachbum1A, You did not say where you were planning to "reside"/use your FM3. As evidenced by all the above it makes a difference.

DanO - 12-12-2006 at 12:48 PM

Bill is correct. Hire a broker. The extra fees are more than worth the avoidance of hassle. I don't even need to go to the immigration office to pick up the renewals. I send her new notarized and apostilled bank letters, our passports, our old FM3s and a check. She handles everything and sends back the passports and the new FM3s when they issue. It's the next best thing to renewing your driver's license or your vehicle registration on the internet instead of going to the DMV (unless you like that sort of thing). If you're in Ensenada, I can refer you.

bajabound2005 - 12-12-2006 at 01:39 PM

beachbum1a -- check your u2u