Law of Mexico

Module 3

Federalism, the states and indigenous law: the Federation and the states, Mexico City, the municipality, indigenous peoples and communities, community justice and Afro-Mexican communities

Mexico is a federation of 31 states and Mexico City, each with its own constitution, governor and legislature, bound together by the federal Constitution. Under Article 124, powers not given to the Federation belong to the states. Below the states, the free municipality (Article 115) governs local services. Federalism has a special feature: the federal Congress can pass general laws that set common rules for all levels of government. Beside this order, Article 2 recognises indigenous peoples and their right to self-determination, including their own normative systems and authorities, within the unity of the State and subject to human rights. Afro-Mexican communities are also recognised. For a foreigner, the rules on land, business and family often depend on the state.

General education on the law of Mexico, using invented people and businesses. It states laws and procedures in simplified form and is not legal advice. The law and its practice change, and every case turns on its facts, the authority and the state concerned. It does not offer legal representation or a legal opinion on any case. Consult a Mexican lawyer for any real matter.

This course was written on 6 November 2026. To the best of our knowledge, it describes the law of Mexico as it stood on that date. Laws change, and we may have missed or misunderstood something. If you notice a change, or have other information, please do not hesitate to contact us: we will review it and update the course. We do not claim to be the final source of the law.