Register Your Mexican Phone Number by June 2026 or Lose Service: Complete Expat Guide

All Mexican phone numbers (+52) must be registered in a national database by June 29, 2026, or they will be suspended. Registration opens January 9, 2026, and requires your passport plus CURP. Here's the complete guide for expats navigating this new requirement.

Key Dates to Remember

This timeline gives you about six months to complete registration. If you've dealt with Mexican bureaucracy in Mexico City or other cities before, you know that waiting until the last month means long lines and stressed systems. Mark these dates now.

Who Needs to Register?

This requirement applies specifically to Mexican phone numbers (+52). If you're using a US or Canadian number while in Mexico, common among newer expats and digital nomads, you're not affected. The registration covers:

• Prepaid (de pago) lines, the Telcel chips you buy at OXXO
• Postpaid (de renta) lines, monthly plan contracts
• All carriers, Telcel, AT&T Mexico, Movistar, and smaller providers
• Multiple lines, each line under your name needs separate registration

Required Documentation for Expats

For Individuals

• Valid passport (not expired)
• CURP (Clave Única de Registro de Población), your Mexican ID number
• Proof of address may be requested in some cases

Need help with legal documentation? Find immigration lawyers in Mexico City or legal services in Playa del Carmen who can assist.

For Businesses

• RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes), your business tax ID
• Business registration documents (acta constitutiva)
• Legal representative identification

Related: How Non-Mexican Residents Get an RFC

How to Register: Two Options

Option 1: In-Person

Visit your carrier's official store (CAC - Centro de Atención a Clientes). Recommended if you have questions or need assistance. Expect wait times near the deadline.

Option 2: Online

Use your carrier's official app or website. Telcel, AT&T Mexico, and Movistar are expected to offer digital registration portals. This is faster if your documentation is straightforward.

Pro tip: Try online first, but have in-person as backup. Mexican digital systems sometimes have quirks requiring human intervention.

What Happens If You Don't Register?

Unregistered lines after June 29, 2026 will be suspended:

• No outgoing calls or texts
• No incoming calls or texts (including verification codes)
• No mobile data
• Emergency calls (911) still work

If your Mexican number is tied to banking apps, Uber, WhatsApp business contacts, or other essential services, suspension would be seriously disruptive.

Why Is Mexico Doing This?

The registration requirement combats phone-based crimes including extortion calls, kidnapping threats, and fraud schemes. These crimes are prevalent, most long-term residents have received extortion calls. By linking phone numbers to verified identities, authorities hope to trace criminal activity more easily.

5 Essential Tips for Expats

1. Get Your CURP Early, Start this process now, well before registration opens
2. Keep Your Passport Updated, Ensure it won't expire before you complete registration
3. Register in January/February 2026, Avoid the last-week rush
4. Register Each Line Separately, Work phone, personal phone, tablet lines all need individual registration
5. Save Your Confirmation, Mexican bureaucracy sometimes loses records

The Bottom Line

While this adds another item to the expat bureaucracy checklist, the process should be straightforward compared to navigating life in Mexico. Mark your calendar for January 2026, gather documents ahead of time, and complete registration early.

Looking for expat services in Mexico? Browse Mexico City listings or Playa del Carmen services on ExpatsList.