Is electronic signature legal in Mexico?
Yes. Mexico recognizes electronic signatures in commercial transactions under the Commercial Code, and an advanced (reliable) electronic signature carries the same weight as a handwritten one. Acts that the law requires to be formalized before a notary, such as many real estate transfers, still follow notarial rules.
Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
E-signature law in Mexico at a glance
- Status
- Legal
- Main laws
Código de Comercio, Title Two (Electronic Commerce), as reformed (2000)
Ley de Firma Electrónica Avanzada (2012)
Código Civil Federal (articles 1803 and 1834 bis on electronic consent) (2000)
- Approach
- Two-tier: basic and secure (often certificate-based) signatures
Types of electronic signature in Mexico
Electronic signature (firma electrónica)
Data in electronic form attached to a data message that identifies the signer and indicates approval. Valid for commercial contracts if the method is appropriate and the parties accept it.
Advanced or reliable electronic signature (firma electrónica avanzada o fiable)
Meets the Commercial Code's reliability requirements, usually backed by a certificate from an accredited certification service provider or the SAT e.firma. It is treated as equivalent to a handwritten signature.
What you can sign electronically in Mexico
- Commercial and sales contracts
- Supply and services agreements
- NDAs
- Dealings with federal authorities using the SAT e.firma
- Employment documents (subject to labor law rules)
Documents that need a handwritten signature or extra formalities
- Acts that the law requires to be granted before a notary or other public official in a public deed, such as many real estate transfers
- Wills, which follow the formalities of the Civil Code
Contracts that must be “in writing”
The Commercial Code treats a data message as meeting a requirement for written form if it is accessible for later consultation, and an electronic signature meets a signature requirement. Where the law requires a public instrument before a notary, the notary's formalities still apply.
E-signatures in Mexico: frequently asked questions
Are electronically signed contracts valid in Mexico?
Yes. The Commercial Code gives data messages and electronic signatures legal effect in commercial acts, and an advanced electronic signature is treated as equivalent to a handwritten one.
What is the e.firma?
The e.firma is the advanced electronic signature issued by the tax authority (SAT). It is widely used for tax filings and dealings with federal authorities under the Advanced Electronic Signature Law.
How should e-signed records be stored in Mexico?
Businesses commonly follow NOM-151-SCFI-2016, the official standard on the conservation of data messages, which uses time-stamped digital certificates to show a record has not changed.
Sources
This page is general information about e-signature law in Mexico, not legal advice. It was last reviewed in October 2026, and laws change. Check the official sources above or ask a lawyer in Mexico before you rely on an electronic signature for an important document. See also whether electronic signatures are legal.
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