Whether you're American or Canadian, there is a consular office in our region that can assist you and knowing what the U.S. and Canadian consular offices can — and cannot — makes living in Puerto Vallarta easier.
Both countries maintain local consular services in Puerto Vallarta – for Canadians, the office is located in Peninsula Plaza in the Hotel Zone and Americans will find their office in Paradise Plaza in Nuevo Vallarta.
The typical consular services that will be most useful to Puerto Vallarta homebuyers and residents include:
· Passport services: renewals, emergency travel documents, and replacements for lost or stolen passports
· Notarial and authentication services: consular officers can notarize signatures, administer oaths, and certify identity. (Note: this is separate from apostilles, which are are issued by Mexican state authorities, not consulates.)
· Consular Reports and vital records: registering births abroad, assisting with death abroad documentation, and helping replace civil documents.
· Some emergency assistance: help during arrests, hospitalizations, natural disasters, or when you're the victim of a crime — consulates can provide a list of local attorneys, medical providers, and explain local procedures but cannot act as legal counsel.
· Voting and federal benefits: assistance with absentee ballots, Social Security inquiries, and guidance about taxes or benefits from home country agencies.
· Registration programs: STEP (U.S.) or Registration of Canadians Abroad let you receive safety updates and make it easier for consular staff to contact you in an emergency.
It can be a time saver to schedule appointments for consular services in advance and to remember to bring original IDs and copies along with you. And remember, consulates provide guidance and limited document service, but they they won't intervene in legal disputes or provide legal advice.
To confirm current services, fees, and hours, phone numbers are below:
U.S. Consulate Nuevo Vallarta: 33 3268 2100
Canadian Consulate Puerto Vallarta: 322 293 0098
For more Puerto Vallarta real estate and lifestyle tips, click here.
