Any reason for carrying INM card? (Driving Jalisco plated car.)

If I'm driving a Jalisco plated car and carrying my driver's license etc. for the car, is there any need to carry the INM card as we used to when driving a TIP car?

Only to be legal.

Even a Mexican drivers licence is not proof of Nationality .... and someone may want to know

Of course I would have it at the airport or when crossing the border, but I can't otherwise imagine who would need proof of my nationality. (Or why I would need it "Only to be legal." ;) ). Do Mexicans carry proof of nationality in Mexico, any more than I carry it in my home country? Why risk losing it while out and about?

Mexicans are citizens. You're not. You're in Mexico with the permission, and at the discretion, of the Mexican government. You're expected to be able to demonstrate that you're legally in the country. That's why you're supposed to carry it, even though it's likely you'll never be asked for it.

Interestingly, I just looked at my shiny new Resident Permanente card and nowhere on the card itself does it say that I must carry it with me at all times. The citizenship status is also an interesting question. I wonder if naturalized citizens of Mexico are expected to carry something?

Whatever. No big deal.

Why would you not carry the proper documents?

True scenario: being from NM if I choose to drive in Arizona - I can be asked my place of birth if pulled over by the police.  Since NM will license illegals or non-citizens, I am immediately suspect if I provide an honest answer if I say Shanghai, China for my birthplace.  If I am not carrying my US Passport that provides proof that I am a US Citizen, theoretically I can be dragged off to jail.  

I would greatly love that to happen because the State of Arizona would be paying me big time for the rest of my life and we would be able to travel in the style we would like to become accustomed to for the rest of our lives!

Explorador wrote:Of course I would have it at the airport or when crossing the border, but I can't otherwise imagine who would need proof of my nationality. (Or why I would need it "Only to be legal." ;) ). Do Mexicans carry proof of nationality in Mexico, any more than I carry it in my home country? Why risk losing it while out and about?

I always carry my IFE card...for many reasons.

I will not carry mine and I have never been asked for it when pulled over.

I believe Transito is not allowed to ask for it.

I believe Transito is not allowed to ask for it.

(So for those curious, the IFE card is for voting. Right?)

I'm not convinced by any of the above posters, as we never used to carry our FM3 booklets back in the day, only a certified copy, and only in the car.

However, I just spoke to my gardener. He says he always carries his IMMS card for identification, especially in Guad. He's been tapped maybe three times by authorities checking ID. He says the problem for him is that many illegal immigrants are passing through Guad, from Guatemala and such, and people are on the lookout for them. He thinks I should carry mine too.

On the other hand, I just looked at the INM form we (and visitors) use at the airport. It only says to keep the receipt portion of the form and turn it in at the point of exit. It doesn't say anything about keeping it with you at all times.

Explorador wrote:(So for those curious, the IFE card is for voting. Right?)

Yeah, but that is only every 3 or 6 years.
It's official ID for almost anything, including bank withdrawals, check cashing, legal ID in courts, driver's license, etc., etc....
and citizenship if you look too Irish to be Mexican.  

I have better reactions from transitos when I show my INM card. And since it's an ID card, I don't mind at all.

federales have the authority to ask you for it.

How does one know that Pedro? I thought we heard that (the Federales had the authority to look at your immigration papers) only with respect to helping Aduana and the Temporary Import Permit thing.

I was doing my 3 mile stretch yesterday, realized I had zero/nada ID on me...thought if weird stepped in and I got hurt.......they'd a spent a month ID'n me....I now carry my INM ID....size of a drivers license......Kind of a petty bullshit issue if ya askin me........Tooooo each his own, I don't want to die as the "UNKNOWN GRINGO" LMFAO

Explorador wrote:How does one know that Pedro? I thought we heard that (the Federales had the authority to look at your immigration papers) only with respect to helping Aduana and the Temporary Import Permit thing.

nope. you have to produce it if asked by a federale and it has nothing to do aduana nor tip. they are the national police and have more power than any other police. it's like if you got stopped by the rcmp in canada and asked to produce your drivers license and failing that your papers or arizona police who like to profile.

Soungs like a Spencer issue

One must balance and high cost of replacement if lost of carrying their original immigration card with the option of carrying a certified copy. The new INM head was in law enforcement and is conducting operations. I was behind 2 new INM police trucks a month ago and we will see increased immigration enforcement, something we have not seen here lately.

Thanks Spencer. So it sounds like: 1) Yes, one should always carry either the original or a certified copy, and 2) It's totally independent from the TIP issue.

I did not know that :).

Are only notarios authorized to make certified copies, and if so, what can someone expect to pay for a certified copy of their immigration card/document?

Only notarios and best going price is 50 to 60 pesos per page or document.

under spencer's advice i used the notario across from the coffee tree in chapala.for the visa card and car and moto registration[alberta] as well as the import document for vehicles.

Thanks Spencer and pedro. I asked because I was stunned by how much a local notario charged me to notarize a 3-page document last month. (Yes, I understand notarization is different, but still the price was a shock.)

There is a difference with using a notary´s services, making a certified copy of a document runs 50 to 60 pesos per page, verifying your signature runs 500 pesos more or less per page.