Open Records Laws in Mexico

Response Timeline

Business days (días hábiles). Article 132: 20 business days from the day following submission. Extension of 10 additional business days requires justified reasons approved by the Transparency Committee.

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

• Online form — Plataforma Nacional de Transparencia — primary method, automatic tracking folio
• Email — To the Transparency Unit of the relevant obligated subject
• Mail — Postal mail or courier to the Transparency Unit
• In person — At the Transparency Unit or designated offices
• Oral — Telegraph or telephone (availability varies by institution)

Requests can be submitted anonymously or with identification. The online platform (PNT) is the recommended method as it provides automatic tracking.

Required Elements

• Description of the information being requested
• Contact method or address for notifications

Optional Elements

• Name or identifying information of requester
• Preferred format for receiving information
• Additional details that facilitate the search

Fees

Under Article 141, fees must not exceed those established in the Federal Law of Rights. Electronic transfer of information generates no cost. First 20 simple copies free.

Exemptions

• Personal Data
  Information containing personal data about identified or identifiable individuals
• Commercial/Financial Secrets
  Banking, fiduciary, industrial, commercial, tax, securities, and postal secrets
• National Security
  Information that compromises national security, public safety, or national defense
• International Relations
  Information that could undermine negotiations or international relationships
• International Agreements
  Information provided by other states with confidential status (except grave human rights violations)
• Financial Stability
  Information that could affect monetary policy or destabilize financial institutions
• Personal Safety
  Information that may endanger a person's life, safety, or health
• Administrative Oversight
  Information that would obstruct verification, inspection, or audit activities
• Criminal Investigation
  Information that could interfere with crime prevention or prosecution
• Deliberative Process
  Official opinions or recommendations before final decisions are made
• Official Accountability
  Information that would obstruct procedures for establishing public servant responsibility
• Due Process
  Information that could affect legal rights in proceedings
• Judicial Proceedings
  Information that would compromise court cases or administrative procedures
• Pre-Trial Investigation
  Information in criminal investigations before prosecutors

Rigorous three-part harm test under Article 104: (1) disclosure must pose a real, demonstrable, and identifiable risk of significant harm; (2) harm from disclosure must outweigh public interest in transparency; (3) limitation must be proportionate and least restrictive. Information related to serious human rights violations or crimes against humanity CANNOT be classified as reserved. Reserved info: max 5 years.

Appeal Process

2025 reform dissolved INAI (autonomous oversight body) and replaced with executive-controlled Secretaría de Anticorrupción y Buen Gobierno. Inconformidad appeals eliminated. Amparo is now the only judicial remedy after administrative review.

Records Retention

DOF 15 de junio de 2018 (última reforma DOF 14 noviembre 2025)

View retention law →

Sources & References

• Full text of law →
• Primary source →
• Transparencia para el Pueblo (successor to INAI) →
• Plataforma Nacional de Transparencia →
• Wilson Center — INAI Elimination Analysis →