Mexican Cell Phone Users Face Mandatory Registration Deadline

If you have a Mexican cell phone number, a new registration requirement is now in effect.

 

Starting January 9, 2026, all mobile lines must be registered and linked to a government-issued ID, with existing users having until June 30, 2026, to complete the process.

 

What Is This New Rule?

 

Reforms to the General Law of the National Public Security System were approved in July 2025, leading to the "Guidelines for the Identification of Mobile Telephone Lines" published in the Official Gazette on December 9, 2025.

 

These CRT guidelines created a national registry of all mobile phone users in Mexico.

 

The goal is simple: link every phone number to a real person. This makes it harder for criminals to use anonymous phones for extortion, fraud, and threats.

 

What You Need to Do

 

If you are a Mexican national, you will need your CURP or voter ID. Foreign nationals need a valid passport.

 

Expats with Temporary or Permanent residency (and a CURP) should use their CURP plus photo ID, such as a residency card.

 

You have until June 30, 2026 (some sources say June 29), to register. Starting July 1, unregistered lines will be suspended, limiting use to emergency calls (e.g., 911) or contacting your provider.

 

Does This Apply to Your U.S. or Canadian Number?

 

This is the question everyone is asking. The short answer is no. If you are using a U.S. or Canadian carrier that roams on Telcel here in Mexico, you do not need to register that number.

 

This rule only applies to Mexican phone numbers issued by Mexican carriers like Telcel, AT&T Mexico, or Movistar.

 

How Do You Register?

 

Your carrier is required to send you a weekly SMS reminder until you register. Telcel and other providers are setting up both online registration and in-person options at their branch offices.

 

Registration online has reportedly been tricky for some users, so be patient if the process does not work on the first try. If online registration fails, the Telcel store in Cancun or Playa del Carmen are your closest in-person options from Puerto Morelos.

 

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

 

Critics have raised concerns about data privacy and the risk of centralized databases being misused. There are also worries about migrants or people without current documentation losing access to service.

 

If your phone is stolen and used in a crime, your registered number could be connected to that activity, so reporting theft quickly will be more important than ever.

 

Do not wait until June to get this done. Start the process now and avoid the last-minute rush.