Jan. 10, 2026
The Rules Keep Changing:
Every cell phone line (physical SIM or eSIM) in Mexico must ~now~** be tied to a specific person or business. The purpose is to reduce the anonymity used for crimes like extortion, fraud, and identity theft.
Specifically, as of Jan. 9, Mexico has a new 2026 rule requiring all mobile phone lines, both prepaid and postpaid, to be registered with the user’s official ID … CURP/INE for citizens and passport for foreigners … RFC’s for businesses.
Overall, phones must be registered by mid-2026, with service suspension for non-compliant lines after the mid-year deadline. Unregistered lines will be suspended, blocking calls, texts, and data (except 911). Service is only restored once registration is completed.
Image courtesy of La Jornada.*
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How to Register:
Contact your mobile operator (Telcel, AT&T, etc.) or visit their service centers.**
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Specific Details:
~ Starting January 9, 2026, new lines must be registered immediately.
~ Existing users have a grace period (around 120 days) to link their numbers to their identity, or their service will be cut, only allowing emergency calls.
~ Tourists are EXEMPT if they are using foreign SIMs/roaming.
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**Providers like Telcel, have begun describing the requirements and procedures for linking, unlinking and consulting lines. Cell phone & land-line users will be able to register remotely (with restrictions) or at branch offices across the country.
Phone service providers are also required to send an SMS to unlinked lines at least once a week, reminding them of the registration obligation.
Surviving Yucatan 