Mexico Allows Parents to Choose Last Name Order

Why this is here: As of May 2026, the decision applies to all birth registrations and seeks to uphold principles of equality and non-discrimination within Mexican families.

In Mexico, parents now decide the order of surnames on birth certificates. Since October 2023, the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation has allowed mothers and fathers to jointly determine the order of their children’s last names. The previous practice of automatically listing the father’s surname first is no longer enforced.

Parents inform the Civil Registry of their chosen order when registering a birth. They should maintain this decision for any subsequent children to ensure consistency. The court found no constitutional basis for prioritizing the father’s surname.

Registration generally requires a birth certificate from the hospital, official identification and CURP for both parents, a marriage certificate if applicable, and proof of address. Some states still need to update their laws and systems to fully reflect this change, but authorities must respect the parents’ choice regardless. The process for changing existing surname order varies by state and may require legal action.