Baja California expands Mexican nationality access for U.S.-born children

The “Soy México” program has led to a significant increase in applications for Mexican nationality among individuals born in the United States. The initiative, coordinated between the Baja California state government and Mexico’s National Population and Identity Registry (RENAPO), aims to simplify the registration process for children and adolescents of Mexican parents living in the state.

To reduce administrative hurdles, the campaign eliminates the need for apostilles on U.S. birth certificates and removes the requirement for Spanish translations. Eligible minors can obtain a Mexican birth certificate and a Unique Population Registration Code (CURP) through this streamlined process.

Officials, including Civil Registry Coordinator Karla Gutiérrez Isla, noted that the surge in demand may be linked to current U.S. visa complexities, prompting families to seek more legal alternatives for their children. The program is being implemented on a rotating schedule across Baja California, with services recently available in Mexicali and San Quintín.