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Azuledos

Nov 22, 2010, 3:41 PM

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Estado Civíl & Required docs for FM No Inmigrante (FM3)

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Hello all...

We have searched & pored thru the posts in this Forum and many other websites, without finding answers to a few issues related to the docs we'll need when converting a tourist FMM to the FM3. We're preparing to move to Mexico next year, and are trying to get our documentation together now while we're still NoB. About us: We're an unmarried couple (been together 20+ years). We both were previously married (to other people), and have certified divorce decrees in hand (from the local courthouse here in Washington State). Children (from the prior marriage) are all grown and live with their own spouses and families.

The main uncertainty is: When we fill out our initial FMM on the plane, and then later during the online INM application process, what do we show in the Estado Civíl box? On previous FMT forms visits we've used Soltero/a or sometimes Divorciado/a, without any problems or questions, but this time we'll have to back up our selection with documents.

The Soltero selection would seem to mean we'll each only need a birth certificate (& apostille). Simple!

If we select Divorciado, then presumably they'll ask for the divorce decrees (with apostilles). Since these decrees refer to previous marriages, does this mean we ALSO have to provide apostilled certificates of those marriages over 40 years ago? This is a worrisome question, and possibly a major hassle, as we think only marriage licenses (not certificates of fact) are available from the east coast states where we lived in our younger days when we tied those now-severed knots.

Another selection we can make in the Estado Civíl box appears to be: Unión Libre. Has anyone used this choice on their paperwork? It seems to define our relationship, committed together but without any official sanction. Are there any documents necessary to back up such a choice of terms? Any real reason to select this over Soltero? Just trying to keep the papeleo to a minimum and still be honest in it's completion.

We are tied together by reciprocal wills, financial joint tenancies, powers of attorney, beneficiary declarations, etc, and plan to draw up similar documents once SoB to govern any of our assets we relocate to or acquire in Mexico.

Dan & Carmen

Rolly

Nov 22, 2010, 4:31 PM

Post #2 of 14 (4713 views)

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Re: [Azuledos] Estado Civíl & Required docs for FM No Inmigrante (FM3)

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The Soltero selection would seem to mean we'll each only need a birth certificate (& apostille). Simple!

You do not need a birth certificate for the INM.
It is useful to have if you ever want the sign up with IMSS because they sometimes ask for it.

The simpler you can make things, the better.

Are you aware that you can begin the FM3 process at a Mexican consulate in the USA and complete it after you arrive in México? If you do the initial paperwork in the USA, you can easily work out any addition papers you may need. I suggest you consider this option.

You'll find more details here.

Rolly Pirate

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

sparks

Nov 22, 2010, 6:04 PM

Post #3 of 14 (4690 views)

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Re: [Azuledos] Estado Civíl & Required docs for FM No Inmigrante (FM3)

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Single is simple!!

Not sure where you are headed but if you can choose your renewal date a good time is when there are fewer gringos here. The lines get long in some locations in the winter.

Starting the FM3 here gives you 6 months to get settled and organized

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

tonynico

Nov 22, 2010, 7:05 PM

Post #4 of 14 (4678 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Estado Civíl & Required docs for FM No Inmigrante (FM3)

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My wife and I will be making the move in May or June.
She has a different last name from her previous marriage and her birth certificate has her maiden name on it.

I copied from this board a regulation that says the passport is proof of Id. (at least that is the gist of the reg.)

But we will be going to court to get her marriage cert and we will get both her marriage cert. birth cert. divorce cert. and our marriage cert. apostille. Will this be good enough if they do not except the passport ID to get IMSS insurance?

It shows her birth name the marriage cert. shows she took her husbands name. her then her divorce papers shows she was divorced and our marriage cert shows we got married.
A well laid out paper trail with all apostille

(This post was edited by tonynico on Nov 22, 2010, 7:10 PM)

mazbook1

Nov 22, 2010, 7:26 PM

Post #5 of 14 (4668 views)

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Re: [tonynico] Estado Civíl & Required docs for FM No Inmigrante (FM3)

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Keep it SIMPLE! Passports, assuming hers shows the same family name as yours. Birth certificates (apostilled, SOME INM offices require that). Nothing else is needed. Forget about previous marriages, divorces, etc. That is totally unnecessary and will just cause confusion for getting your FM3s.

A lot will depend on what family name is on your wife's passport:

Same as yours, the above applies with the possibility that INM would want an apostilled copy of your marriage certificate.

The same as her previous husband's, all the rigmarole you wrote applies.

Same as her birth certificate, no problem. Enter México by each of you declaring soltero/a, then, after you have your FM3s (or before, up to you), get married in México. A little more expense, but far, far less hassle.

tonynico

Nov 23, 2010, 2:04 AM

Post #6 of 14 (4650 views)

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Re: [mazbook1] Estado Civíl & Required docs for FM No Inmigrante (FM3)

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I most likely was not clear
We are already married. My wife did not take my last name she kept her married last name from her previous marriage . Her birth certificate has her maiden name. And on her passport it has her last marriage name and she is married now to me which is a different name from both her birth cert and her passport, that would be the reason for the paper trail if INSS does not except her passport as proof of ID. I have her birth cert plus previous marriage cert. Her divorce paper from the previous marriage and her marriage cert to me all apostille. It clearly would show that she is in fact who she is.

This would only be used if when applying for INSS insurance they refuse her since he maiden name does not match her fm3 book and passport both will have her last name from previous marriage.

You are right don't complicate things but if they refuse her at least I have a documented paper trail
apostille. The only other choice would be to say we can't get INSS insurance. So if refused the paper work would have to be presented no choice.

Tony

(This post was edited by tonynico on Nov 23, 2010, 2:09 AM)

gpkgto

Nov 23, 2010, 8:30 AM

Post #7 of 14 (4617 views)

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Re: [Azuledos] Estado Civíl & Required docs for FM No Inmigrante (FM3)

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The income requirements are more for two single people versus a "married couple" if that is a concern for you. If you decide to marry, do it in the US.

Reefhound

Nov 23, 2010, 8:37 AM

Post #8 of 14 (4615 views)

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Re: [tonynico] Estado Civíl & Required docs for FM No Inmigrante (FM3)

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Seems like it would be easier for her to get a new U.S. passport with your last name and leave her previous marriage out of it.

tonynico

Nov 23, 2010, 9:29 AM

Post #9 of 14 (4605 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] Estado Civíl & Required docs for FM No Inmigrante (FM3)

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You would think but if they want her birth certificate it will still be different then the marriage cert.
Also he have a trust in both our names joint if she changes her name to then it screws up the trust if ever we sell. Her ID will have one name and now the trust won't match.

I think better if they do not except her fm3 then the chain of documents would be the way to go. Don't want to complicate things with the trust if we go to sell.

Tony

Vichil

Nov 23, 2010, 10:14 AM

Post #10 of 14 (4595 views)

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Re: [tonynico] Estado Civíl & Required docs for FM No Inmigrante (FM3)

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It is simpler if she goes by your name in Mexico since she has a passport in her new married name.
The closer it is to the Mexican system the easier it will be. She should go by her maiden name and or married name (to you) going by an ex husband names will complicate things.
Most institutions in Mexico go by the name in the passport. If you start using a different name they may ask for the birth cerificate. You can go by your maiden name but an ex-husband´s name will complicated things to no end. The immigration may accept one name and the IMSS an other so simplify as much as you can before you come. Stay away from periods or hyphen in your name if you have a choice.

DavidHF

Nov 23, 2010, 12:00 PM

Post #11 of 14 (4581 views)

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Re: [Vichil] Estado Civíl & Required docs for FM No Inmigrante (FM3)

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Passport for ID, marriage certificate, which you'll need translated btw, prooves she's married to you. Should be sufficient. As stated earlier, you don't need a birth certificate to get a No-Inmigrante card.

Vichil

Nov 23, 2010, 1:29 PM

Post #12 of 14 (4561 views)

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Re: [DavidHF] Estado Civíl & Required docs for FM No Inmigrante (FM3)

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I have had to produce my birth certificate several times in the last 10 years so it is not a bad idea to have a couple on hand. The ones in France are in many languages so I did not have to have mine translated but my husband who is a US citizen had to have his translated here.

kiki1

Nov 26, 2010, 6:58 AM

Post #13 of 14 (4423 views)

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Re: [Azuledos] Estado Civíl & Required docs for FM No Inmigrante (FM3)

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I have just come from applying for the FM3. It is no longer acceptable to start the process in your home country, since August 1. If my experience is anything to go by, you will be sent back for documents you didn't know you needed and were,t told you needed several times!

There is an on-line form at the iami site that you have to complete, they dis not ask me door any proof of my civil status. It was ESSENTIAL to have their form, the entry form stamped at the border, 5 photos (3 full face,2 right profile) a bill with your Mexican address, a cheque with you name and address and bank statement.

Aside from that, anyone,s guess and depending on what the agent feels like that moment. Don't count on the fact that the last person swore you didn't need anything else. This is Mexico.

That was my experience anyway

bournemouth

Nov 26, 2010, 7:42 AM

Post #14 of 14 (4409 views)

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Re: [kiki1] Estado Civíl & Required docs for FM No Inmigrante (FM3)

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And it can be different for any one of us, depending on the INM office we are dealing with.