09132016Tue
Last updateFri, 09 Sep 2016 3pm

US Consulate changes payment system for lakeside residents

The U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara has announced a change in the payment method for consular services provided during its monthly visits to the American Legion and Lake Chapala Society. 

As of now, all payments must be by bank checks in pesos.

The press release stated: “Effective immediately, we will no longer accept payments from CI Banco,” the Consulate said in a press release.  “Consulate employees cannot accept cash or credit card payments during our off-site visits. Beginning with our next visit on September 7, we will accept only peso-denominated bank checks.  We have confirmed that the Banamex branch in Lake Chapala can issue those checks.  It is very important that the checks be made out to ‘United States Disbursing Office’ or they will not be accepted for payment.”

The Consulate has confirmed that it will accept peso-denominated checks from banks other than Banamex.

The current price for an adult passport renewal is 2,035 pesos, while the cost of a notarial seal is 925 pesos. (Documents requiring multiple seals will require additional payment.) 
The Consulate advises U.S. citizens that the exchange rate is set by the U.S. Embassy, and is currently at 18.5 pesos to the dollar. The Consulate stresses that their rate does not fluctuate on a daily basis like a bank or currency exchange facility.

The Chapala Banamex branch is located at Avenida Francisco I. Madero 222 in Chapala, telephone (376) 765-2271.  As this newspaper went to press, we were unable to obtain information as to how much Banamex charges for a bank check. See next week’s edition for an update.

The U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara, located at Progreso 175, Colonia Americana, Guadalajara, can be contacted Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at (33) 3268-2100 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You may also call the U.S. Embassy at (55) 5080-2000 after-hours.

For a complete list of the dates of Consulate visits to lakeside and information on the services provides in the Lake Chapala/Ajijic area, visit https://mx.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/guadalajara/lake-chapalaajijic-services.

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