Other Services

Arrests If you are an American citizen and you are arrested, you should ask the authorities to notify the U.S. Consul. Consuls cannot act as your attorney or have you released from jail. Since you are in a foreign country you are subject to its laws. However, Consuls can work to protect your legitimate interests and ensure that you are treated in the same manner as Mexican prisoners. They can provide a list of attorneys, provide information on Mexico's legal system, offer to contact the arrested American's family or friends, visit on a regular basis, protest mistreatment, monitor jail conditions, provide dietary supplements, and keep the State Department informed. Child Custody Occasionally, welfare-whereabouts requests are made on behalf of minor children by a parent following a divorce or separation. The Consul cannot take sides in such a dispute and assist one parent rather than the other. The Consul will, however, attempt to locate children, if requested, and can transmit information to either parent regarding the child's health and well-being. Please see the following U.S. State Department web page for more information on this issue: http://www.state.gov Deaths When an American citizen dies abroad, a consular officer notifies the American's family and informs them of options and costs for disposition of remains. Costs for preparing and returning a body to the U.S. are high and must be paid by the family. In all cases, the death of an American citizen, whether resident or tourist, should be reported to the Consulate so an official Report of Death of an American Abroad can be completed. This document, which is in English, is helpful in settling estate, financial and legal matters in the United States. Destitute Americans The Consulate has no funds for destitute Americans, but we can help contact family members who can provide money. In the event that no assistance is available and the citizen wishes to return to the United States, it is possible for the Consulate to loan money for transportation to the U.S. border. The American Citizen is required to pay back this loan to the U.S. Government. Investment & Real Estate in Mexico U.S. citizens who become involved in time-share or other real estate property purchases should be aware that Mexican laws and practices regarding real estate are markedly different from those in the United States. Foreigners purchasing real estate or time-shares in Mexico have no protection under Mexican law and should be aware of the high risks involved. Foreigners may be granted the right to own real estate property only under very specific conditions and the purchase of real estate property in Mexico is far more complicated than in the United States. For example no title insurance is available in Mexico for the purchaser and the builders frequently go bankrupt leaving the investors with little recourse to recoup their funds. The U.S. Consulate strongly recommends the use of competent local legal assistance for any significant real property or business purchase. A list of local attorneys is below. Robbery/Assault If you are the victim of an assault or robbery, or you know someone who is, please report the incident to the Consulate. We have a Duty Officer on call 24 hours a day for emergencies. If you need to get in touch with the Duty Officer outside of normal working hours, 8:30am-4:30pm Monday through Friday, call the main Consulate number, (662)289-3500, for contact information. They can give you advice and information depending on the exact incident. During regular working hours, call the main Consulate number and ask for American Citizen Services. The Consulate can help you replace travel documents, give you contacts for canceling credit cards, and contact your friends/family on your behalf.