Mexico · Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Setting up from abroad
- Usual entity for foreign founders
- SA de CV
Official registry: diputados.gob.mx
The General Law of Commercial Companies gives exactly one bar on being an administrator or gerente: being legally disqualified from engaging in commerce. Articles 74 and 142 add that administrators may be members or persons outside the company. Nationality and residence appear in neither.
Companies (commonly a Sociedad Anónima or the simpler SAS) are formed before a notary and registered in the Public Registry of Commerce; a tax ID (RFC) from SAT is required. The online SAS route suits small businesses.
Mexico company setup usually combines corporate formation before a notary or the simplified company system, inscription in the Public Registry of Commerce, and tax registration with SAT for an RFC and e.firma.
- Common operating forms include the S. de R.L. de C.V., S.A. de C.V. and, for qualifying small founders, the Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada (SAS).
- Secretaría de Economía describes formation steps including economy-ministry formalities, notary steps, Public Registry of Commerce inscription and RFC registration.
- SAT requires legal-entity documentation, fiscal domicile evidence and representative authority for RFC/e.firma processes.
- 1
Choose the company type
The sociedad de responsabilidad limitada (S. de R.L.) and the sociedad anónima (S.A. de C.V.) are the common forms; a simplified online SAS is available for smaller companies via the federal portal.
- 2
Authorise the company name
Request a name authorisation (autorización de denominación) from the Ministry of Economy (Secretaría de Economía).
- 3
Sign the incorporation deed
Sign the acta constitutiva (articles and bylaws) before a notary public or corredor público, who formalises it as a public deed (the online SAS skips the notary).
- 4
Get an RFC tax ID from SAT
Register the company with the tax administration (SAT) to obtain its RFC (Federal Taxpayer Registry) and electronic signature (e.firma).
- 5
Register in the Public Registry of Commerce
Register the deed in the Public Registry of Commerce (Registro Público de Comercio) to give the company effect against third parties.
- 6
Complete employer and foreign-investment registration
Register with the social-security institute (IMSS) if you employ staff, and record foreign shareholders in the National Registry of Foreign Investment (RNIE).
- Company type chosen (S. de R.L., S.A. de C.V., or online SAS)
- Name authorisation from the Secretaría de Economía
- Acta constitutiva before a notary / corredor público
- RFC + e.firma from SAT
- Registro Público de Comercio inscription
- Corporate bank account
- IMSS registration if employing staff
- Foreign-investment registry (RNIE) for foreign shareholders
- Secretaría de Economía — incorporation of a Mexican legal entity
Official overview of company-formation and foreign-investment steps.
- Secretaría de Economía — normatividad mercantil
Official merchant-registry and commercial-law services hub.
- SAT — inscribe tu empresa en el RFC
Official SAT process for registering a company in the RFC.
Frequently asked questions
What company types are common in Mexico?
The Sociedad Anónima (SA) and the Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (S de RL) are common; the SAS allows fast online setup for smaller firms.
Do I need an RFC?
Yes — the company and its legal representatives need an RFC tax ID from the tax authority (SAT).
Is a notary required?
Most company types are incorporated before a notary or corredor público; the SAS can be formed online.
Government portals
- gob.mx — Government of Mexico — Single portal for federal agencies, procedures and official publications.
- SAT — Tax Administration Service — RFC tax registration, income tax and VAT filing, and CFDI electronic invoicing.
- National Migration Institute (INM) — Temporary and permanent residence cards, entry records and immigration procedures.
- Ministry of Economy — Company incorporation, foreign-investment registry and trade rules.