Job Discussion Forums

cscx · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 41

T minus 36 days until my move! So excited!

I had a question about ID cards...I know that Mexicans use their voter cards...is there something that foreigners can get? For example, even though people in the US present driver's licenses, non-drivers can get official IDs at the DMV...can non-Mexicans get some form of Mexican ID?

Or does none of this really even matter? Will my US driver's license be ok?

Thanks.

kosherpickle · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 93

i haven't had to do a whole lot more than go through some security in buildings and get into bars, but my driver's license/passport from the states has always been accepted.

notamiss · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 11:06 am Post subject:

For entering buildings, anything with my photo works; Costco card, gym card...

When it has to be official ID, only the passport will do, unless you also have to prove that you're a resident, not a tourist, in which case of course you have to show your FM.

MELEE · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 2:09 pm Post subject:

I've found that a lot of places like banks, will also take my Mexican driver's license as an official ID. It wasn't difficult to get, I just showed them my US license (which was 6 years expired!) and they waived the test.

But I have come across a lot of people just can't seem to understand why I don't have a voter ID. Rolling Eyes

I'm currently in this battle with the water commision--we are finally going to get city water at my house. I'm the legal owner of the house, but the ONLY ID the water commision takes is the voter card. They are trying to decide if my passport is okay, or if they have to make the contract in my Mexican husband's name (who is not the owner of the house, and we are married under bienes separados.)

notamiss · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 2:47 pm Post subject:

Here in DF, a driver's license won't do when official ID is required. Maybe because it's so easy to get; there's no test to waive!

MO39 · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 4:57 pm Post subject:

While waiting for my FM3 to materialize (in a few days Very Happy

), I've been using my passport here in the D.F. -- once a photocopy of it sufficed!

cscx · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 41

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Notamiss posted this information already a couple of posts above.

cscx · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 41

notamiss · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 12:48 am Post subject:

Oh, I just remembered another one. Some stores ask for an "official ID" when you pay with a debit card, but they do accept my driver's license.

Things I've absolutely needed my passport for when "official ID" was asked for:
-any kind of government tr�mite (of course) or tr�mite with a utility
-picking up a paycheque
-withdrawing from my bank account (at the teller, not the ATM)

There might be others, but those are the ones that come to mind.

And as I alluded to above, for some things, where you have to prove that you are a resident and not a tourist, you have to produce your FM. Like getting a driver's license. But there is no road test.

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Notamiss wrote:

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:30 pm Post subject:

I have found that having a teacher ID from my school works wonders with everything from getting discounts to get out of jail free (or at least mordida free) with the cops. Now that I have a SEP ID card that goes double. I also have an up to date ITIC card which you can get from any Mundo Joven travel store for about $135 pesos. I always carry my DF license, and my two teachers credentials and almost never have a problem in the streets. If it's official business though, nothing less than an FM-3 and/or passport will work.