Dear readers and connationals, it is my pleasure to address you in this new space that we can inaugurate thanks to El Tecolote’s generosity, where we will be sharing relevant information about the work of the Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco.
Many people think that the Consulate’s main focus is to issue passports and consular registrations. As important as documentation work can be for all of us, the consulate has so much to offer to the Mexican community residing in San Francisco and the Bay Area.
You might be wondering, what is a consulate and what does it do? A consulate is the official representation of the Mexican government and its main mission is to protect the rights of the Mexican citizens and to boost Mexico’s interests. The consulate assists people of Mexican origin either because they were born in Mexico or because one of their parents granted them citizenship, as well as foreigners who wish to visit our country.
The Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco assists people residing in the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Solano, Sonoma, Trinity and the state of Hawaii. Likewise, we have a large program of mobile consulate services all year long meant to assist people who live far away and cannot travel to our main office.
At the department of Documentation you can process and renew official Mexican documents such as passport, consular registration and credential to vote abroad (INE). It’s really important to have all your documents up to date, to make an appointment, please call 1-877-639-4835 MEXITEL. I also recommend that you download the app Mi Consulmex for details on the requirements of each process.
The Civil Registry area, registers U.S born children of Mexican nationals that obtain citizenship, through at least, one of the parents. Likewise, we carry out civil marriages (among two Mexican connationals), copies of birth and death certificates issued in Mexico.
At the Notarial Attestation area, connationals can request powers of attorney to appoint someone in Mexico to manage your private affairs such as selling a property. In the same way, you can make a will with full validity in Mexico.
The department of Community Affairs executes the programs of the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME) regarding education, health and financial advice. It also handles the hometown associations and federations from different states of the Mexican Republic and undertakes empowerment programs among the Mexican communities of our district.
The department of Civil Protection is responsible for ensuring the rights and integrity of Mexicans abroad. Regardless of their immigration status, they will always find support in the consulate and can receive guidance in immigration issues, assistance to locate missing relatives, human rights, repatriate minors and vulnerable persons, counseling about relatives or friends facing judicial processes in the U.S, civil affairs, repatriation of mortal remains, labor affairs, legal assistance in unpaid wages and work-related injuries in the U.S, family reunification of minors.
The department of Economic Affairs is in charge of trade promotion activities, attracting foreign investment and support of businesses and Mexican entrepreneurs during internationalization processes. There, you can request information on how to start a business, importing or distributing products from Mexico.
The Press department keeps the community informed through our social media, the fastest and most efficient way to stay in touch. You can learn about how to prepare for emergencies, our events, announcements and contests, so follow us on Facebook: @ConsulmexSFCO and Twitter: @ConsulmexSFO. We also want to invite you to join our Facebook Live stream that takes place the last Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m., where we address topics of your interest.
The department of Cultural Affairs is in charge of the diffusion of culture through activities that support the cultural wealth of Mexico and its communities abroad.
My fellow countrymen, the Consulate General of Mexico is here to serve you and support you. I finish this column wishing you a prosperous and successful 2020. Don’t forget to send us your questions and comments to consfrancisco@sre.gob.mx
Our contact info:
Address:
532 Folsom Street
San Francisco, California, 94105
Phone: (415) 354-1700
Phone Center for Information and Assistance to Mexicans (CIAM): 520-623-7874*
24/7 Availability
Email: consfrancisco@sre.gob.mx
Website: http://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/sanfrancisco