Yes, you can! And you can buy it at any time, either during the property purchase or years after the fact.

What exactly is Title Insurance? It’s an indemnification that protects you, the owner of a property, from any third-party claims on the property. The same as in the US and Canada, Title Insurance assures that the property is free of any liens and encumbrances and the property title is clear and can be transferred to the new owner. Mexican Title Insurance covers the land as well as any improvements in the building, so 100% of your investment is protected.

This insurance option can be especially valuable to foreigners buying a property in the so-called restricted zone in Mexico (31 miles from the coast and 62 miles from the national borders), where they are required to use an indirect ownership mechanism such as a real estate trust (fideicomiso). Although the notario and the public registry system provide legal assurance for all real estate transactions, and Mexican real estate law provides well-defined legal structure and protection for both the seller and the buyer, some foreign buyers fear indirect ownership. In such cases, Title Insurance provides a lifetime guarantee of the title and allows them to own a home in Mexico with more peace of mind.

It’s important to know that the fideicomiso doesn’t take the place of Title Insurance; rather, Title Insurance complements the work of the notario, who, as a government-appointed lawyer, is the only official able to legally transfer property ownership from one party to another.

Nowadays, many reputable companies offer Title Insurance for properties in Mexico, including Stewart Title Company, First American Title Insurance, Land America Financial and Fidelity National Financial. Generally, Mexican Title Insurance costs about $6-$9 US per each $1,000 US of the purchase price, and is paid in one payment.

Helen Carrillo Iturrios is a lifelong Mazatlecan and has been working in real estate since 2004. She is the Sales Manager of Century21, Sábalos and a member of AMPI Mazatlán. Contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at 913-1121.