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John Galt

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What sort of ruse is this ... since 'John Galt' is the expert on these things?
;)

The seller supplies the original dealership factura documenting the original sale to the first owner.

If the car was re-sold in the meantime:
That factura should have the current owner's name written on the back of the facture, documenting that the previous owner legally sold it to the current owner.

The current seller/owner should sign over ownership to you, writing on the back of the Dealer factura, documenting details for both parties, the vehicle, & the date.

You also want a current copy of the Tarjeta de CirculaciĆ³n (or equivalent proof of current registration) to prove that the vehicle's annual "registration" fees have been paid.

In states that have tenencias (annual ownership taxes), you also want proof that all past tenencias have been properly paid, and that there are no outstanding fees, penalties, or taxes owed.

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Just cash. If you want to get a Jalisco registration for it (assuming you are a foreigner here on either a tourist permit or some sort of residency status), you will need to present your Passport, INM card and proof of current address. Typically the larger dealers will do the registration on your behalf or if you are doing it yourself (as in purchasing a used vehicle from another person), you should both go together to the closest Jalisco Recuadora (Lisensing Office) and make sure the seller has paid up all of his annual renewals and fines, etc. before you give him/her any money. In addition, the clerks at the office will want to see the original "factura" for the vehicle from when it was originally purchased from the new car dealer and the "Tarjetas de Circulation" for each year it has been on the road here in Jalisco. Once you get this, keep it in a safe place and not in the vehicle. If you lose it, you are "screwed".

If you are buying an "Out of State" vehicle or one that has been imported as a used vehicle at some time, totally different ball game.

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Ezzie.
Do we need to take in every year's past Tarjetas de CirculaciĆ³n?

When the seller has a valid copy of the most recent year's Tarjeta, that would seem to be enough?
Since the state only issues a new Tarjeta when all prior fees are paid in full, doesn't the most recent Tarjeta prove payment for prior years?

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Wow! Seems another ream of paper work. I am wondering about the need for Passport, INM and proof of current address. It is not clear to me why they need to know where you live. So, if you were just a tourist for instance, you could not purchase a Mexican plated vehicle because you would not have a residential address. Is that correct?

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You must have proof of residence and proof that you are legally in the country in order to register a car in most states. It could be difficult, even impossible, for a tourist to register a vehicle, even though he purchased it. After all, logic would indicate that it would not be practical to do such a thing for only a 180 day visit. Makes sense to me.

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Wow! Seems another ream of paper work. I am wondering about the need for Passport, INM and proof of current address. It is not clear to me why they need to know where you live. So, if you were just a tourist for instance, you could not purchase a Mexican plated vehicle because you would not have a residential address. Is that correct?

Those 3 forms of ID are commonly required here for purchase of car or house, opening a bank account,buying insurance, etc.. Understand this: It's the way it is.

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So, I am still unclear about how a tourist would purchase a vehicle.

Well, as to whether or not it is logical for someone to purchase a car for a 180 day visit, that's a personal decision. Maybe they come every 6 months or yearly and want to keep a car here, or they collect cars....whatever the reason...it's their choice and does not need to make sense to others. I don't really want to go there.

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You must have proof of residence and proof that you are legally in the country in order to register a car in most states. It could be difficult, even impossible, for a tourist to register a vehicle, even though he purchased it. After all, logic would indicate that it would not be practical to do such a thing for only a 180 day visit. Makes sense to me.

I responded to part of this below. As to whether someone is legally in the country, well the passport is stamped and you would have some documentation that you entered legally.

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John Galt why don't you get in touch with Spencer at S & S Auto. He can answer all your questions and do all the leg work for you. It will save us all a lot of peculiar questions and answers.

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Can a tourist to any country, for example a tourist to the US or Canada, purchase a car and register it in whichever state or province, without providing some kind of supplemental documentation that demonstrates more than just "I'm in the country legally"?

Good luck with that.

This is probably just a newbie confusion thing. The "proof of address/Comprobante de Domicilio" issue strikes again! :o

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In many states in Mexico one can get a MX state driver's license with a FMM. That becomes an important document to register a vehicle along with an utility bill in any name showing same address as the person's driver's license. For any state the local Rentas office can answer specifics.

saludos

Sonia

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When we bought a new Honda Hr-V last August (yes we went thru S&S) I pre arranged to use a US credit card and the dealer charged an additional 1.25%. This was important as I didn't want to trigger FBAR reporting by transferring enough money to my Mex bank account.

As an aside, I noticed a small increase in price for the model of car we bought. Not sure if other cars have increased in price.

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Ezzie.

Do we need to take in every year's past Tarjetas de CirculaciĆ³n?

When the seller has a valid copy of the most recent year's Tarjeta, that would seem to be enough?

Since the state only issues a new Tarjeta when all prior fees are paid in full, doesn't the most recent Tarjeta prove payment for prior years?

What you are saying is logical...then again, we live in Mexico. Keep all tarjetas de circulacion forever...just in case.

When we moved from San Miguel with a Guanajuato licensed car to Nayarit, we had eight of the nine tarjetas...we were missing #6 of the nine. Abiding by your logic (and ours), they wouldn't have given us #7 if we hadn't paid for #6. WRONG. We had to get an official letter from the State of Guanajuato to show that we had indeed paid for #6.

This little fiasco delayed our getting our Nayarit plates for three weeks.

....and I still shake my head thinking "that's not logical"...and it still isn't but... this is Mexico.

Throw out no receipts...ever.

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In many states in Mexico one can get a MX state driver's license with a FMM. That becomes an important document to register a vehicle along with an utility bill in any name showing same address as the person's driver's license. For any state the local Rentas office can answer specifics.

saludos

Sonia

Well, our driver's licenses will definitely not match our utility bill as they are US licenses, unless they accept a US utility bill. This still makes no sense to me.

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Can a tourist to any country, for example a tourist to the US or Canada, purchase a car and register it in whichever state or province, without providing some kind of supplemental documentation that demonstrates more than just "I'm in the country legally"?

Good luck with that.

This is probably just a newbie confusion thing. The "proof of address/Comprobante de Domicilio" issue strikes again! :o

I have no idea what tourists can do when visiting other countries. I do know we have been able to rent a car here without any of that.

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No problem buying a car with a tourist visa -- just did it. Nothing mysterious really .... I come as a 'tourist' and keep a Mexican car here

Did you register it and get a tarjeta de circulacion in your own name? In Jalisco?

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First any place in the world I've ever been you've had to have an address to register the purchased car. Your utility bill (the one you present becomes the address for registration. They have to have an address to send your photo radar tickets to. You do need to have your passport and your temporary visa (the little piece of paper they gave you back with the number of days allowed in the country on it). A drivers license isn't necessary to purchase a car only to drive it.

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Yes. I did notice other entities don't care whose name is on it. Sorry, but I do not understand about a government form showing my address from a utility bill, as this would be the landlord's utility bill. I don't understand how a utility bill shows up on a government form (what type of form is that?).

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