Want to make an appointment at the Mexican Consulate in Houston? You better update your address book! That's because in June 2021, the Mexican Consulate in Houston moved from the Museum district to its new location on Houston’s embassy row. It's now located 12 miles away in the Westchase area of Houston. Of course, 12 miles in Houston can mean an eternity or at least 45 minutes traveling on I-69 and Westpark Tollway during the middle of the day. If you still need to make an appointment at the Mexican Consulate in Houston, you should check their website for the latest instructions. As one of the largest diplomatic offices Mexico has in the United States, the Mexican Consulate in Houston gets busy. In fact, The Consulado General De México en Houston serves more than two million people of Mexican descent and represents the largest foreign government office in Houston.
Why Did the Mexican Consulate in Houston Move?
Let’s face it. Traffic congestion is an unpleasant fact for everyone living in Houston. Our road and transit systems can no longer accommodate the more than 100,000 people moving to Houston annually. Heavy rains from storms and inadequate drainage systems on our roadways make matters worse. Without a solution, the economy of Houston will suffer.
Fortunately, the Texas Transportation Commission recognized the problems on our roadways several years ago and began planning for it. The North Houston Highway improvement project (NHHIP) represents a major step forward in making Houston more competitive with other U.S. cities. It will be the largest infrastructure project undertaken by the city of Houston in a generation to expand and improve multimodal forms of transportation. Part of the project will replace old neighborhoods with floodplains, parks, green spaces, and trail systems. Once complete, the project will stimulate growth, reduce flooding on the highways, improve road safety, and increase the capacity and use of rail, freight, and transit lines.
Like most Texas Department of Transportation projects, the North Houston Highway improvement project requires some sacrifices. Some Houston businesses and residents along I45 and affected areas will need to relocate. Early in the planning process, the city of Houston realized that the project would mean that not all businesses and neighborhoods would be able to stay. Those who stay will need to contend with slower commute times and less business activity once construction begins.
Fortunately, for some businesses and organizations that must relocate, Houston city planners began working on solutions that would provide value to both the city and the site owners. One example was the Consulado General De México en Houston or Mexican Consulate General in Houston, which had operated at 4506 Caroline Street, Houston, TX 77004 for 20 years.
Mexican Consulate in Houston, Texas
The Mexican Consulate General Is Important To Houston
Mexico opened its first consulate in Houston in 1920 and has benefited the Houston area ever since. Today, the Mexican Consulate in Houston represents one of the largest foreign missions that Mexico operates in North America. It is also the largest facility in Houston that is operated by a Latin American country. Estimates suggest that the consulate serves more than two million people of Mexican origin.
For Mexican nationals and expatriates, the Mexico Consulate General offers important legal assistance and legal aid; help in acquiring birth, marriage and divorce certificates, and visas and passports. It also assists U.S. residents and businesses with a range of services including matters involving emigration, trade and investing
With a strong relationship that has lasted over 100 years, Mexico and Houston have become important trading partners. Today, Mexico is Houston’s largest trading partner and accounts for $19 billion in trade annually. The Mexican Consulate has also made important contributions to Houston’s growth by securing large investments by Mexican companies in the Houston area. One example is Arca Continental, owners of Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, which built a $250 million bottling and distribution facility in North Houston. The Mexican Consulate also works closely with Houston businesses that seek to build a presence in Mexico. Furthermore, Mexico supports the local economy with regular non-stop direct flights between Houston and several Mexican cities.
Consulado General De México Moves to the Embassy Corridor in Westchase
Because of Mexico’s importance to the Houston community, city planners in Houston knew they had to work quickly to develop a plan to secure and expand the Mexican Consulate in Houston. In 2019, the Texas Transportation Commission and other state agencies approved a land swap agreement between the city of Houston and the Mexican government. In June 2021, the agreement was announced by Mexico’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubón. For Houston, the agreement offered a needed piece in the plan to rebuild the downtown freeway system, which includes depressing I-69 and modernizing affected areas. In return, the Mexican consulate in Houston, agreed to relocate to 3200 Rogerdale Rd. in Houston’s Westchase area.
A Larger, More Secure Mexican Consulate with Improved Ammenities
With 50,000 sq. ft. of interior space, the 4-story building is twice as large as the former location consulate building. The new location features on-site parking, several areas to serve the public, and an art gallery. The art gallery includes paintings by Edgar Medina, a renowned Houston artist of Mexican origin. Because of these amenities and improvements, the new Mexican consulate in Houston can provide a better experience to visitors.
According to Marcelo Ebrard, Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs, “The larger facility allows the Houston consulate to serve the growing population of Mexicans and people interested in Mexico.” Ebrard also indicated that the additional space creates new opportunities to pursue stronger, and more profitable relations between Houston and Mexico. Further, Ebrard suggested that the Mexican consulate is interested in collaborating with Houston on projects related to clean energy, medical and health initiatives.
Alicia Kerber Palma, Consul General of Mexico, indicated that the new Westchase location will allow the Mexican Consulate in Houston to sponsor larger events. In the previous facility, the meeting room, parking spaces and security were always a concern.
Prior to the opening of the consulate, the building was completely renovated. Getting to the new consulate is easy. Since Houston Metro offers a regular bus route that stops at the consulate, and the consulate has its own parking lot, it is also more convenient than the old location.
Expanding The Houston Consulate Corridor
With the addition of the Mexican Consulate, Houston’s Westchase area is becoming a Consulate Corridor. Westchase is already home to the embassies and consulates of Indonesia, the Philippines, Costa Rica, Honduras, and the Netherlands.
At A Glance–The Mexican Consulate
| Address | 10555 Richmond Ave., Houston, Texas, 77042. Main entrance located at 3200 Rogerdale Rd, Houston, TX 77042. |
| Neighborhood | Westchase (Beltway 8 and Richmond Avenue) |
| Property Area | 3.13 Acres (136,769 SF) |
| Building Area | 4 Stories (49,865 SF) |
| Parking | Onsite parking with 189 total spaces, 113 covered |
| Services offered | Visa Applications, Passport Renewals, Document Legalization, and Vital Documents including Birth Certificates, Marriage Licenses, Divorce Decrees, Death Certificates, and Police Reports. Assistance with contracts including Power of Attorney agreements and other legal matters may also be available. Always contact the consulate to be sure. |
| Mexican consulate in Houston English Website | https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/houston/ |
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FAQS
The first Mexican consulate in Houston was established in 1921, more than 100 years ago.
The new consulate is located at 10555 Richmond Ave., Houston, Texas, 77042. However, visitors must use the entrance at 3200 Rogerdale Rd, Houston, TX 77042.
By May 24, 2021, all business that had been conducted at the former location at 4506 Caroline St,, was being completed at the new location at 10555 Richmond Avenue.
Alicia Kerber Palma is the Mexican Consul General in Houston.
The Consulate processes Visa applications, renews passports, and legalizes documents.
Yes, but please note that an official translation often requires an apostille from the Secretary of State.
Yes, consulate agents speak both English and Spanish. You can also contact bilingual agents by email and telephone.
The new consulate is 50,000 square feet, which makes it twice as large as the building the consulate previously occupied.
Related:
I need copies of birth certificate & citizenship naturalization
This is the type of Consular Services that only the Mexican Consulate in Houston can provide.
I’m retired and interested in moving to Mexico. What do l need to do? Is this something the Consul’s office can advise me about?
I would think so. The next time you are on the westside of Houston, visit the Mexican Consulate at 3200 Rogerdale Rd, Houston, TX 77042. Ask them if they are aware of any useful resources.
Does the office issue the vehicle import permits and the tourist permits?
I would recommend contacting the Mexican Consulate in Houston and asking them if they can assist you with getting those documents. If you are needing document translation services, including certified Spanish translations of official documents, let us know. We can provide those services to you.
I am requesting permanent residency in Mexico. Can they provide this service for me.
I need to renew my United States Passport: What do I need to do? IT expired on July 15,2023. I am flying to San Luis Potosi, Mex on Oct19 and just now realized my passport expired, can I still fly and can I make an appt to renew it and where and do I need a number. Please let me know as possible. If I can fly with it expired 3 months.
I’m sorry to hear that your passport has expired. According to the U.S. Department of State, you cannot travel internationally with an expired passport. However, there is a possibility that you may be able to use your expired passport for direct return travel to the United States until December 31, 2023, if certain criteria are met. Please check the eligibility criteria at COVID-19 Traveler Information before finalizing your travel arrangements.
To renew your passport, you can either apply by mail or in person. If you need your passport quickly, you can make an appointment at a regional passport agency or center. You can also schedule an appointment at a U.S. Postal Service location that accepts passport applications. If all else fails, you can always call your congress person. Usually, congress people have office workers who can expedite the processing of your passport and have it to you in a matter of a few hours.
To renew your passport by mail, you will need to fill out Form DS-82 and mail it along with your current passport, a new photo, and the fee to the address listed on the form 5. If you choose to renew in person, you will need to make an appointment and bring the completed Form DS-11, evidence of U.S. citizenship, a photo ID, a photocopy of the ID, and a new photo.
Please note that processing times for passports vary and it is recommended that you apply for renewal as soon as possible. I hope this information helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.