What do I need to send money to Mexico from the U.S.?

Many people reach the point of making their first remittance only to realize they are missing something: their family member's account number, the exact type of ID, or they simply don't know how much they can send without verifying their account. The good news is that the list is short and easy to prepare in advance.

To send a remittance to Mexico from the U.S., you need: a valid ID (passport, national ID, consular ID, or U.S. driver's license), the recipient's full name, the account number or 18-digit interbank CLABE if you are depositing to a bank, and a payment method (U.S. debit or credit card, or cash at stores like Walmart, 7-Eleven, or CVS).

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What you need as a sender to send money to Mexico

Before starting any transfer, you must have your own information ready. Remittance services in the U.S. operate under federal identity regulations (KYC), so verifying who is sending the money is a legal requirement, not an option.

Official ID: passport, national ID, consular ID, or U.S. driver's license.

To verify your identity with Félix, the accepted documents are: passport, national ID, consular ID, or U.S. driver's license, along with a selfie. You do not need a Social Security Number (SSN). Verification is a one-time process and usually takes a few minutes, although in some cases it may take up to 24 hours.

U.S. phone number

Félix operates entirely through WhatsApp. You need a U.S. phone number to register. There is no need to download any additional apps.

Available payment methods

You can pay for your transfer in two ways:

• U.S. debit or credit card (excluding American Express), via a secure payment link
• Cash at participating stores (Walmart, 7-Eleven, CVS, Walgreens, Casey's, Office Depot): you generate a barcode in WhatsApp and present it at the register

With Félix Pago, you don't need your own U.S. bank account to send money: you can pay with cash at more than four national retail chains.

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What recipient information you need to have ready in Mexico

This is where most errors or delays occur. Having the correct recipient information before starting the transfer prevents money from arriving late or at the wrong place.

For bank deposits or digital wallets

The most important piece of information is the interbank CLABE: an 18-digit number that uniquely identifies the recipient's bank account in Mexico. It is not the same as the 10 or 11-digit account number that appears on the card. If you have questions about the difference, the article on the difference between an account number and an interbank account explains it in detail.

For deposits to digital wallets in Mexico (Mercado Pago, Cuenta Nu, or Spin by Oxxo), the CLABE or account number associated with that wallet is also required.

For cash pickup

If the recipient prefers to pick up cash, you only need their full name as it appears on their official ID. In most cases, the cash is available for pickup within minutes.

Basic information for both cases

• Recipient's full name
• Destination country (Mexico)
• Amount to send

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How much you can send to Mexico with Félix and what the limits are

Sending limits depend on whether or not you have verified your account. Verification is a one-time process that significantly increases how much you can send.

If you need more context on limits and how to calculate how much you can send per month, the article How much money can you send to Mexico per month? explains it in detail.

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How much it costs to send money to Mexico with Félix

Félix's fee for transfers to Mexico is fixed:

• Bank deposit or digital wallet: $2.99 per transfer
• Cash pickup: $4.98 per transfer

The exchange rate applied by Félix is updated in real time. Before confirming your transfer, you can see exactly how many pesos your family member will receive, with no surprises at the end. If you want to compare how these rates stack up against other services, check out our comparison of money transfer services to Mexico.

Ten en cuenta que si pagas con efectivo en tienda, la tienda cobra además una tarifa propia (entre $3.74 y $3.95 según la cadena), separada de la comisión de Félix.

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Checklist: qué tener listo antes de hacer tu primer envío

Antes de abrir WhatsApp y escribirle a Félix (+1 669 333-3549), verifica que tienes todo esto:

Del remitente (tú, en EE.UU.):

• Pasaporte, identificación nacional, matrícula consular o licencia de conducir de EE.UU. para verificar tu cuenta (si aún no lo has hecho)
• Número de teléfono de EE.UU.
• Método de pago: tarjeta de débito/crédito (excepto Amex) o efectivo disponible para ir a la tienda

Del destinatario (en México):

• Nombre completo tal como aparece en su identificación
• CLABE interbancaria de 18 dígitos (para depósito bancario o billetera)
• O simplemente su nombre completo si elige retiro en efectivo

Del envío:

• Monto a enviar (mínimo $20 si pagas en efectivo en tienda)
• Forma de entrega elegida: depósito bancario, billetera digital o retiro en efectivo

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Frequently asked questions

¿Puedo enviar dinero a México sin tener cuenta bancaria en EE.UU.?

Sí. Con Félix puedes pagar tu envío con efectivo en tiendas como Walmart, 7-Eleven, CVS o Walgreens. Generas el código de barras en WhatsApp y lo presentas en caja. No necesitas cuenta bancaria en EE.UU.

¿Qué pasa si no tengo la CLABE del destinatario?

Si no tienes la CLABE, puedes elegir la opción de retiro en efectivo. Solo necesitas el nombre completo del destinatario. El dinero queda disponible en minutos en la mayoría de los casos.

¿Puedo enviar dinero a México sin verificar mi cuenta en Félix?

Sí, pero los límites son menores: hasta $1,500 al día y $2,999 al mes. Si verificas tu identidad, los límites suben a $2,999 diarios y $9,999 mensuales. La verificación solo la haces una vez y es permanente. Puedes leer más sobre el proceso en ¿Cuánto dinero puedo enviar a México en remesas?

How long does it take for money to arrive in Mexico?

Bank deposits arrive in minutes in most cases. Cash pickups are available in minutes in most cases. If you paid with cash at a store, processing may take up to 15 additional minutes before the transfer begins.

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Sources and references

Félix Pago

• Help: How do I send money with Félix Pago? (Step-by-step process and verification requirements.)
• Help: What are the money transfer limits at Félix Pago? (Table of limits by account level.)
• Help: Why am I being asked for documents for my Félix Pago verification? (Accepted documents and why they are required.)

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Related content

• Complete Guide: Money Transfers and Remittances
• ¿Cómo enviar dinero con Félix Pago?
• What are the money transfer limits at Félix Pago?
• Glosario: Remesa
• How much money can be sent to Mexico per month?
• Compare the most popular money transfer services to Mexico
• Difference between an account number and an interbank account number