All Mexico Cell Phone Users Must Register by June 30, 2026 with their ID:
“On January 9, 2026, Mexico enacted a new law requiring all cell phone numbers to be verifiably associated with an individual.
Any cell phone number not associated with a person and their government-issued ID by June 30, 2026, will be suspended until/unless the number is registered by a verified user.”
“Beginning January 9, 2026 all Mexican cell phone numbers must have a verified person associated with the number.
Mexicans: Mexicans can register their cell phones using their INE Card or their Mexican passport.
Foreigners: Foreigners, whether visitors to Mexico or legal residents, will need to use a valid passport. If you are a legal resident of Mexico, the process will automatically match your name and passport details to your CURP.”
“There are an estimated 127 million active cell phone lines (numbers) in Mexico.
All existing active lines must be registered by June 30 to prevent the number from being suspended.
Individuals can register up to 10 cell phone numbers in their own name.
Depending on how you acquired your existing Mexican cell phone, the number might or might not already be registered to you.
If your number gets suspended, it won’t be cancelled immediately.
It will be reactivated when you register, but telephone companies will likely cancel numbers that are not registered after a (presently undefined) period of time.”
new cells:
“Any new cell phone lines activated on or after January 9, 2026, will need to be registered within 30 days of their activation.”
“If you are a visitor or tourist to Mexico and purchase a local SIM card (or eSIM) for use during your stay in the country, the registration that associates the number with your Passport will be part of the activation process”
registration:
You can register online
“The fastest and easiest method to register your Mexican cell phone number is to go online to your phone company’s official website (see links below) to register.
The registration process is similar to the one that e.g. banks use when you register online, and you will be asked for:
An upload of a photo of your government-issued ID:
Mexicans (and naturalized Mexicans) may use their INE card or Mexican passport.
If you are not a Mexican national, you will need to upload a photo of your valid passport—no other ID is accepted.
A live ‘selfie’ to compare it with your official ID and confirm it’s you.
The online process will ask for access to your camera, and you will need to show your face from various angles.
This matched with your government ID to complete the verification.
It’s possible that the online registration might also ask for the IMEI number of your device.
The IMEI number can be displayed by accessing the phone’s settings.”
You will need the same things if you want to register in person.
