What Happens to the Copies?

First of all let me say, I love Mexico. I love living here but the thing that drives me crazy is how you have to provide copies of documents over and over to prove who you are. Although the question of this rant is more about what happens to the copies, let me give you an example of how these copies accumulate.And if your experience in getting something similar done is different you know that your experience may vary depending on the weather or whatever.

Ned opened a bank account years ago so that we could cash or deposit US checks for our living expenses. I could sign on the account but after he died I could not change the account so that I was the primary rather than the secondary on the account until the house was in my name.  I continued to use the account but it was a little aggravating every time I went into the bank to deal with the issue of identifying the account in Ned's name. I know that seems strange but that is the way this bank works. I recently completed getting the house in my name.

The employee at the bank told me that they will close the old account and open a new account in my name but first they need a copy of the death certificate, a copy of the new deed, a copy of a utility bill in my name, a copy of my passport and a copy of my Permanent Resident card....front and back.

A copy of the death certificate....that is reasonable.  A copy of the new deed......I've never had to give out a copy of a deed to a bank before unless there is some transaction involving the deed. A copy of a utility bill in my name.....why? If I own the house, I own the house. What difference does the utility bill make? A copy of my passport and a copy of my Permanent Resident card.....why both? If the Mexican government has granted me permission to live in Mexico and the Permanent Resident card has my photo on it why do they need copies of both?

I don't understand the reasoning behind all of this but it is the way it is done in Mexico. Then I find out that in order to change any of the utilities to my name, I have to furnish each company a copy of my deed, a copy of my passport and a copy of my permanent resident card. Why do they have to have a copy of my deed?

Okay, I tell myself, stay calm. This is the way it is done in Mexico.

The deed along with other papers that are stamped and stapled to it is about 20 pages but I comply. All of these copies get made and distributed to all interested parties. Now I can add a copy of a utility bill in my name to the stack that goes to the bank.

Finally! A checking account in my name in Mexico.

At the bank maybe they do keep a copy of the deed but at the utility companies what do they do with all of the copies? Next year if I went to one of the utility companies, could they locate the copy of my deed? Don't think so. Are the copies stored in a secure place? Don't think so.

So here is my question. What happens to all the copies that we ex-pats as well as the Mexicans are required to furnish for government agencies, banks and utilities? Those of you who live here in Mexico, what do you think?

Residente Permanente

 It is official now. I'm a Residente Permanente in Mexico. I don't have to pay a fee or go through the procedures to renew a visa every year, or prove that I have enough money to live here, or prove that I haven't been out of Mexico more than a certain number of days in the last five years. My home has been in Mexico for several years and it is very satisfying to know that I have been given the right by this country to come and go as I want and I guess as long as I don't cause any problem I can remain a Residente Permanente.

There is one problem. The terrible photo on the card. The photo I had taken, while it wasn't wonderful, it wasn't this bad. I don't know what they did to it but I think I'm stuck with it for a long time. Well, like Permanente. 

What Would You Do?

Port Aransas - December 2012

This week over dinner with two couples, the conversation drifted to family members and friends who required care because of a variety of health and age conditions. Some were in the USA in assisted living or nursing homes and others were here in San Miguel. The cost of care for those in the USA was mind boggling but in general, even with the staggering costs, no one seemed to feel that the level of care was at the level it should be. On the other hand we talked about several people we knew in San Miguel who required someone with them around the clock as well as close supervision by medical personnel and we all agreed that they were receiving excellent care at a fraction of the cost found in the USA.

Everyone seemed to feel that they would rather be in Mexico if they were in such a health situation but there was also kind of an assumption that the spouse would be here with them to coordinate the care. Then one of them asked me, "Billie, what would you do? Would you stay here in Mexico?" Meaning would I stay in Mexico if I had a long term illness. I can't say that I haven't thought about that in the past and certainly I've thought about it in the last 10 months since Ned died. But it has been more of a passing thought not anything that would generate a plan.

Those of you who live here in Mexico, have you thought about this issue? As you get older and perhaps incapacitated with illness are you going to stay here in Mexico or go back to the USA or Canada or somewhere closer to family? What are some of the issues that figure into what you are thinking that you would do?