Forums > Areas > Jalisco's Lake Chapala Region

normacrosby

Dec 14, 2004, 4:47 PM

Post #1 of 17 (4319 views)

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Registering FM3 in Chapala

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Could someone please tell me about the hours for registering a FM3 in Chapala. I got the FM3 in Houston last week. They were very nice, and I got it in one day. I believe Wednesday is the day for registration. I just don't know the hours.

Thanks,
Norma Crosby

patricio_lintz

Dec 14, 2004, 6:44 PM

Post #2 of 17 (4289 views)

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Re: [normacrosby] Registering FM3 in Chapala

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8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. People arrive early.

You have a month to register your new address. There is a penalty for being tardy.

Check in with the receptionist when you first enter the government building. Put your name on one of the three lists- information (including forms), drop off filled out forms, or pick up finished paperwork. They keep your FM3 while they take it Guadalajara and stamp it officially. You pick it up a week after drop off.

normacrosby

Dec 14, 2004, 7:25 PM

Post #3 of 17 (4278 views)

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Re: [patricio_lintz] Registering FM3 in Chapala

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Thanks for the response, Patricio.

Will I need anything other than my FM3?

Norma

juan david

Dec 15, 2004, 8:27 AM

Post #4 of 17 (4242 views)

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Re: [normacrosby] Registering FM3 in Chapala

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Bring your FM3 and passport. Get there by eight and get your name on the information sheet. Then go have breakfast and kill some time. When your name is called, one of the good staff members will give you forms and a list of instructions and requirements. After you get it completed, return the following Wednesday and sign in on the drop off sheet. The staff will review yor package for completeness and send it(along with your FM3) to Guadalajara.
" let sleeping dogs lie"

normacrosby

Dec 15, 2004, 8:39 AM

Post #5 of 17 (4235 views)

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Re: [juan david] Registering FM3 in Chapala

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Thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it.

Norma

Joyce

Dec 15, 2004, 10:44 AM

Post #6 of 17 (4216 views)

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Re: [normacrosby] Registering FM3 in Chapala

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I got my FM3 in Dallas on December 9 (a week ago). I happened to stop by an immigration attorney office in Ajijic, Jalisco, this morning to see if I need to be doing something on this side of the border now to complete the process. This is what they told me:

I have to register my FM3 in Mexico within one year from the date I obtained it in the states, (i.e., by December 9, 2005).

Was told when I go back to Dallas in two months for final packing and preparation for move to Mexico, to get my Menaje de casas at the Mexican Consulate in Dallas and then follow that protocol and make the move to here. They said I do not need my FM3 finalized in Mexico prior to moving over!

At my convenience, but prior to Dec. 9, 2005, they said to come back to see them (the Ajijic immigration attorney´s office). They will need four front and four right-side passport style photos and proof of my address (in my case, a copy of my lease). They will take me to Guadalajara, where I will be fingerprinted and then registered. Their charge for this assistance will be 700 pesos.

I was very surprised to learn that I do not need to finalize the FM3 prior to moving here! I have heard and read so much misinformation on this subject, I hope this info will be helpful to others.

Papirex

Dec 15, 2004, 4:22 PM

Post #7 of 17 (4187 views)

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Re: [Joyce] Registering FM3 in Chapala

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Joyce, I think There may be some misunderstanding, not misinformation regarding your FM3. You must register your Mexican address within 30 days of moving to Mexico. That information will be recorded in your FM3 booklet. You must renew your FM3 visa one year after it was issued, and annually thereafter. I believe that is what the attorney was probably referring to for next year. Take it from me, and all the folks that have done this. You must register your address within 30 days.

Rex

"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

Rolly

Dec 15, 2004, 4:33 PM

Post #8 of 17 (4184 views)

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Re: [RexC] Registering FM3 in Chapala

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And the fine for not registering within 30 days is $3,000 pesos.

Rolly Pirate

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Delia

Dec 16, 2004, 7:52 AM

Post #9 of 17 (4143 views)

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Bum Advice

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I agree with Rex; it sounds like you are getting some bum advice there. It’s ironic but some of the worst legal (and other) advice at Lakeside is dispensed by local lawyers. They also in many cases provide the worst services for immigration and other matters. It‘s best to ask around with other expatriates who have done similar to what you are doing and see what they advise as the best way to go. Some of the non-lawyer expeditors provide a much superior service to some of the lawyers. The expeditors often are better informed, better connected, less sloppy, more efficient, and out actually doing a lot more of this kind of work. They know how the “world” actually functions whereas often lawyers tend to just quote “the law” whether it has much to do with reality or not.

Kip

Dec 16, 2004, 9:21 AM

Post #10 of 17 (4128 views)

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Re: [JohnO] Bum Advice

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You might check out Carol Bedford in Ajijic. She was a Judge in San Diego and is now a practicing attorney in Ajijic. Since she deals mostly with Gringos moving (and already moved)into the area, I imagine she'll be pretty much up to date on the kinds of things that give us all so many headaches.

Kip
kip

Joyce

Dec 16, 2004, 10:09 AM

Post #11 of 17 (4116 views)

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Re: [Kip] Bum Advice

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Thanks for all the posts. I will go to Chapala and register my address next week.
Except for telling me to go to Chapala to register my address, (which I did not ask about), is the rest of the info I posted correct?

Rolly

Dec 16, 2004, 1:47 PM

Post #12 of 17 (4077 views)

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Re: [Joyce] Bum Advice

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The information that you can only get your menaje de casa at the conuslate in Dallas is correct. But none of the information about waiting a year to register is correct. I can't say if you need 2 sets of photos; my INM office in Durango requires only one set; but the requirements are not the same everywhere, so ask the INM folks.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

Uncle Jack

Dec 16, 2004, 2:19 PM

Post #13 of 17 (4075 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Bum Advice

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"The information that you can only get your menaje de casa at the conuslate in Dallas is correct."

Not true!

We got our FM3s at the Phoenix consulate and because they gave us so much crap about the Menaje de Casa we just moved and stopped in Laredo and got our M de C in about 30 minutes. The lady asked why we were applying in Laredo and I told here that we had stuff stored in Laredo and had to travel there to retrive it and list it on the application. No problema. Laredo is a very nice consulate to deal with.

You have 30 days to register your FM3s and the clock starts running as soon as you first cross the border using your FM3 or a fine WILL be imposed. We had a non lawyer expediter do it for us and we did not have to appear and did not have to be fingerprinted. They did require B & W photographs.

uj

esperanza

Dec 17, 2004, 4:46 AM

Post #14 of 17 (4016 views)

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Re: [Uncle Jack] Bum Advice

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I think that Rolly's point is that you can only get a menaje de casa at a Mexican consulate, whether in the USA, Canada, or some other part of the world. You can't get one here in Mexico.

To get to the INAMI (Mexican Immigration) office in Chapala, take the Ajijic/Chapala road (not the libramiento) until you come to the traffic light at the corner of Hidalgo and Morelos in Chapala (the main cross streets). Turn right. The red brick building half a block on your right houses the municipal offices. The receptionist will tell you where INAMI is.

For those of you who are new here, that building used to be the Hotel Nido, a fine old hotel with a lot of grace and style. I stayed there many times in its huge high-ceilinged rooms overlooking the avenue. The hotel had been in the owners' family for about 100 years. I miss it.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Delia

Dec 17, 2004, 9:24 AM

Post #15 of 17 (3989 views)

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No Hard and Fast Rules

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It’s looser than that even, Esperanza. We had a large household shipment and had no FM-3 or menaje at all before arriving in Mexico. After moving to Mexico, the broker dummied up whatever paperwork was needed and we got the FM-3 exemption from customs duty. However, it’s impossible to try to predict this kind of inconsistent Mexico stuff - it all depends on when, where, and how one is trying to do something with an unpredictable outcome.

esperanza

Dec 17, 2004, 3:51 PM

Post #16 of 17 (3947 views)

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Re: [JohnO] No Hard and Fast Rules

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John, I merely reported where you have to go to get one. I didn't tell her she had to have it.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

tashby

Apr 12, 2008, 7:38 AM

Post #17 of 17 (3783 views)

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Re: [patricio_lintz] Registering FM3 in Chapala

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I'm reviving this old thread because it's time for us to register our FM3s. We had heard that it's still doable in Chapala on Wednesdays....wondering if anyone can confirm that, and the hours, 8-2pm.

I know which building it is. Is the process still the same?

Week 1: Pick up forms and information.
Week 2: Drop off completed docs, and whatever else is asked for.
Week 3: Pick up Stamped/Processed FM3.

Any way to consolidate weeks 1 and 2 if we know what they'll ask for in advance, and can produce the documents....

I know, I know. Already looking for a shortcut. Bad me.