BajaNomad - Registering FM3 in La Paz

Registering FM3 in La Paz

CaboRon - 10-23-2007 at 09:05 AM

After getting my FM3 in San Diego and getting it properly entry stamped in San Yesidro I went down to immigratin in La Paz to get my final stamp........
They are requisting I resubmit all the paper work I originally submitted to the Consuls office and then more. Said there would be no fee for this....
I said I am not renewing...merely want them to stamp page six and let me get on with my life.....
WAHT GIVES ' :?:

Has this happened to anyone else..... do I really have to reproduce the entire stack of paper work again.... what a load of BS :fire:

They even wanted more pics than the consulate requested... front views and side views.....

What is your experience in La Paz. :?:

Should I go to Cabo San Lucas and get the page six stamp there :?:

HELP CaboRon

rts551 - 10-23-2007 at 09:10 AM

Yes, same here. They say they need to maintain a file on you at the nearest immigration office and therefore need all the paperwork. Subject has come up many times before. Too bad the immigration office couldn't get the word out to all including the consulate offices.

PS Everyone seems to have their own experience depending on the office they go to.

bajajudy - 10-23-2007 at 09:40 AM

Actually, that is not unusual which is why many of us recommend that you do your paperwork after you get here. And, yes, each office seems to be different as well as each employee's interpretation of the rules.
ALWAYS bring all your original paperwork with you even if you have gotten your FM3 already in a consul, just to be safe.
Ron I hope that you have yours with you.
Dont get angry, just do what they ask with a smile on your face and things will go much smoother.
This subject has been beaten to death and still no answers except be prepared to have to do everything again if you do it in the states.
Sorry but heck you are retired, you have time to get this straight, right?

I have no idea what would happen in San Lucas.

edit to add "original" paperwork

[Edited on 10-23-2007 by bajajudy]

This thread is over

CaboRon - 10-24-2007 at 10:46 AM

OK, I´ve got the message. These guys are just F word with me.... It is just to jack me for more money :fire:

.... Well, welcome to Mexico.
If you have any creative responses just U2U me as others have.... Thanks for your candid responses.

-CaboRon

comitan - 10-24-2007 at 11:02 AM

Cabo ron

I have an attitude response, with the attitude you are showing in your last response, you will find that your troubles are just starting. Good Luck.

vandenberg - 10-24-2007 at 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboRon
After getting my FM3 in San Diego and getting it properly entry stamped in San Yesidro I went down to immigratin in La Paz to get my final stamp........

That's what you get when you try to do it the easy way. :lol:

bajalou - 10-24-2007 at 12:53 PM

It should be done in the office that has jurisdiction for the town where you will live.

gpm414 - 10-25-2007 at 10:01 AM

Three years ago I got my FM3 in Portland, Oregon thinking it would save time and be easier...not really. When I arrived in La Paz to register (this is my closest office and my yearly place of renewal in Baja) as said above, they opened a new file in La Paz so I had to fill out some of the same forms and submit photos, etc...but there were no further fees or charges of any kind. The yearly renewal is now pretty easy, just keep a copy of the blank renewal form, letters from your bank, letter of request for renewal, etc. You should be able to go in once to submit the forms, make the trip to the bank, and return for your new FM3. This year I was able to do it on the same day...actually its getting easier as long as you come prepared with completed forms.

From my experience, the easiest way to get an FM3 is in country, not in the US at a Mexican consulate office.

Leo - 10-25-2007 at 11:08 AM

Absolutely, just get it in La Paz. Go in early and prepared with all your papers. Take a number and have a coffee. Run to the bank and have the cash or use the ATM and make sure you're back before 1pm to finish it off. A week later you can pick the ting up. No problema.

stanburn - 10-28-2007 at 11:54 AM

I first got my FM-3 in Puerto Vallarta and needed everything of course.

Then I renewed in LaPaz and I needed to resubmit everything again as they needed to have a file on me.

Renewed this year in Manzanillo and guess what? Yup, resubmit everything again because they need to maintain a file.

It is true that the local office needs the info in their files on you. Remember that if you change addresses you have 30 days to update your FM-3.

Bought a house here and had to change my address, took 1 hour and a copy of a utility bill from the old address, copy of a utility bill from the new address and a letter stating I had moved which they prepared for me. Cost??? Zero.

Cabo Ron, just go with the flow, there is no great immigration conspiracy out to get you or separate you from your pesos. It is just that for some reason it is easier to get an FM-3 in from the consulate and then register it when they arrive. It ain't so.

shari - 10-29-2007 at 03:04 PM

Just a tip here, you don't have to do your fm3 stuff at your nearest immigration office to you...here in baja sur, many do it in La Paz...your paperwork from any office gets sent there anyway. I find it much easier just to do it there and avoid any possible hassles...now, if you don't have patience I highly recommend you get our amigo Alonso just to do it for you...absolutely zero hassles, cheap and ya don't have to deal with those guys....worth the $.

oladulce - 11-3-2007 at 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
Just a tip here, you don't have to do your fm3 stuff at your nearest immigration office to you...here in baja sur, many do it in La Paz...your paperwork from any office gets sent there anyway. I find it much easier just to do it there and avoid any possible hassles.

I was just trying a search on Nomad for this info without any luck. Thanks for posting this Shari.

I get the impression that the office closest to us in San Carlos/Mag Bay can be difficult to work with. We hadn't planned to do FM3's until after we retired and Pta Pequeña becomes our primary residence because we can't meet some of the requirements the guy in San Carlos wants to see while we're still working and living in CA. It sounds like it may be worth going straight to La Paz .