U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara
|
American Citizen
Services Unit
U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara |
General Information
What
the ACS Unit CANNOT Do
The American Citizen Services Unit cannot act as
a travel agent, bank, lawyer, investigator, or law enforcement agent. Please
do not expect the ACS Unit to find you employment, obtain housing or driving
permits, act as interpreters, search for missing luggage, settle disputes with
hotel managers or pay any bills.
Adoptions
Adopting a child in Mexico can be a very
complicated, time-consuming, and emotional process. A number of U.S. adoptive
parents have recently had great difficulty getting the adoptions approved
in the state of Jalisco, particularly in cases involving adoptions of multiple
infants who are very close in age (i.e. less than a year apart). The Jalisco
DIF (Desarollo Integral de la Familia) has recently informed the Consulate
General that it is now their policy to block adoptions of multiple infants
unless they are natural siblings.
Information on adoption procedures in Mexico
(not available now)
General
information on international adoptions
If you already have an approved I-600 or I-600A petition for a child who is living in Mexico and you want to know how to proceed with the immigrant visa application, please contact the Immigrant Visa Section at the U.S. Consulate General Ciudad Juarez at (52)(16)86-02-39
Voter
Registration
Under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens
Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), virtually all U.S. citizens living outside
the United States are entitled to vote in Federal elections. The Federal
Voter Assistance Program (FVAP) is responsible for administering UOCAVA.
Many Americans living overseas may also be able to vote in state elections,
depending on the laws of their state of legal residence.
The ACS Unit may assist U.S. citizens in processing Federal Post Card Applications, witnessing or notarizing these forms, and providing absentee voter information. The ACS Unit also serves as a mailing point where forms and other election materials may be mailed back, postage paid, to your local voting jurisdiction in the United States where absentee registration and ballot requests are actually processed.
Fees
for Consular Services
Payment for consular services may be made
in dollars or the peso equivalent The amount paid must be all in
dollars or all in pesos. We are unable to accept checks, but (Visa, Master Card, American
Express and Discover).
Health
Information
The ACS Unit maintains a list of English speaking
Physicians, Surgeons, and Dentists Practicing in
the Guadalajara Area. This list is not intended to be a complete list of
all competent doctors in the area. Also, while every effort has been made to
include in this list only persons of recognized standing, neither the U.S. Government
nor the Consulate General assumes responsibility for the satisfaction (or lack
thereof) received from the medical practitioners on this list.
Fees: While medical services in Mexico tend to be much lower in Mexico than in the United States, we recommend that fees be discussed with the doctor in advance of service in order to avoid misunderstanding. THE SOCIAL SECURITY MEDICARE PROGRAM DOES NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL COSTS OUTSIDE THE U.S.A.
Health
Information for Travelers to Mexico (Centers for Disease Control)
Medical
Information for Americans Abroad
Nursing Homes in Guadalajara
Real Estate
Transactions
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 may be granted the right to own real estate only under very
specific conditions, and any foreigner considering the purchase of real estate
or time-shares in Mexico should be aware of the high risks involved. The U.S.
Consulate General Guadalajara strongly recommends the used of competent local
legal assistance for any significant real property or business transactions.
Please click here for a list of English-speaking Mexican
attorneys.
Real Estate Agencies in Guadalajara
Tax
Information
Virtually all US citizens must report
their worldwide income to the IRS each year, whether they live and work
in the United States or abroad. Many Mexicans who work in the United States
or derive income from U.S. sources are also required to file annual income
tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service. Individuals living and/or
working abroad may be entitled to various deductions, exclusions, and credits.
The ACS Unit stocks a limited supply of
federal tax forms, but does not have state tax forms.
Information
on filing your tax return electronically
Downloadable
Federal income tax forms
Selective
Service Registration
Virtually all U.S. citizen males between the ages
of 18 and 25 are required by law to register with Selective Service. This requirement
also applies to most alien males who are between 18 and 25 and reside in the
United States or its territories. Failure to register is a felony and carries
stiff penalties. The Consulate General has registration materials and can mail
them in for you. It is also possible to register with Selective Service on-line.
For more information about Selective Service requirements and on-line registration,
please click here.
Consumer
Complaints
American visitors who have not received satisfactory
service from local merchants occasionally send complaints to the Consulate General.
When complaints are received, the Consulate General may try to contact the merchant
involved to request that a settlement be reached. In the event that an agreement
cannot be reached between the two parties, the Consulate General can provide
you a list of attorneys if you wish to take legal
action.
You may also wish to contact the following
organization to lodge a complaint:
PROFECO (Procuraduria Federal del Consumidor)PROFECO Regional Offices
Ave. Jose Vasconcelos 208
Col. Condensa
Mexico, D.F.
Tel: (52)(5)211-1659
or
Guadalajara
Calle Marsella No. 49 1st. Floor
Esq. Pedro Moreno
Col. Americana
44140 Guadalajara, Jalisco
Tel: 3616-1239; 3615-7383; 6316-9782
Fax: 3613-9672Puerto Vallarta
Ave. Prisciliano Sanchez y Oceano Pacifico
Plaza Palmar de Aramara Local #103
Col. Palmar de Aramara
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. Mexico
Tel: (322) 225-0000
Fax: (322) 225-0028Nayarit
Ave. Mexico No. 142 Sur
Col. Centro
Tepic, Nayarit
Tel: (52)(32) 12-34-57; 12-84-58Colima
Manuel Alvarez No. 44
Esq. Venustiano Carranza
Col. Centro
28000 Colima, Colima
Tel: (52)(331) 279-91; 279-92; 453-17Aguascalientes
Vazquez del Morado No. 132
Col. Centro
20000 Aguascalientes, Ags.
Tel: (49) 15-1082; 15-9460
U.S.
Service Organizations in the Guadalajara Area
The following non-profit organizations
are largely composed of Americans or other expatriates and have offices
in or around Guadalajara. The links in this section go to private web sites.
Neither the Consulate General nor the U.S. Government can be responsible
for the accuracy of their content.
The Lake Chapala Society
16 de Septiembre 16 -A
APDO No. 177
Ajijic, Jalisco
45920 Mexico
Tel: (52)(376) 611-40The American Society of Jalisco
Av. San Francisco 3332
Colonia Chapalita
Apartado Postal 5-510
Guadalajara, Jalisco
45000 Mexico
Telephone and answering machine: (52) 3121-2395
Telephone and Fax: 3121-0887American Legion Post #3
San Antonio #43
Las Fuentes
Zapopan, Jalisco
Mexico
Tel: (52) 3631-1208American Legion Post #7
Morelos 114
Chapala, Jalisco
45900 Mexico
Tel: (52)(376) 522-59American Legion Post #9
APDO 909-45920
Ajijic, Jalisco
located at the Posada Ajijic
(old Posada)
Tel: (52) (376) 54-858The American Chamber of Commerce-Mexico, Guadalajara Chapter
Moctezuma 442
Ciudad del Sol
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Mexico
Tel: (52) 3634-6606
Executive Director: Claudia GrossiThe U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce
Av. Lazaro Cardenas 2862
Col. Jardines del Bosque
Guadalajara, Jalisco
44520 Mexico
Tel: (52) 3123-1514; (52) 323-1293
Fax: (52) 3123-3127
Executive Director: Claudia Ries
U.S. Service Organizations in the Puerto Vallarta Area
International Friendship Club of Puerto Vallarta
Parian del Puente Local # 13
Libertad St. corner with Miramar
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
Tel: (322) 222-5466
E-mail: ifcpv@prodigy.net.mx
President : Al WardU.S. Navy League of Puerto Vallarta
Meetings 1st Thursday of every month - Hotel Marriott CasaMagna, Marina Vallarta
Tel: (322) 221-6156
President: Jerry LaffertyAmerican Legion
Basilio Badillo No. 286
Commander: Ron Abbe
Tel. (322) 222-0256
Cell: 044-322-117-3361 - 044-322-2052-1323
www.americanlegion14.org