Mexico Business Information

National Levels of Government: U.S. - México comparison chart ... Federal Government Websites: U.S. - México equivalents      ... State and Local Government ... Guides ... Organizations ... Statistics ... Types of Business Information
 

Helpful Organizations:

Guides:

Types of Business Information -- Where to find it

National, State, and Local Government information on companies and people:

Government data of special interest to business are the public records kept by the government: deeds, leins, trustee sales, civil & criminal court cases, health inspection ratings, licenses, incorporations, nonprofit organizations registered, telemarketers registered, building permits, zoning, EPA clean-up sites, economic reports, industry reports, etc.

States, cities, and counties in both countries are in various stages of placing their information on the web.  In many cases, particularly in Mexico, you will have to visit the proper government office to actually get the information. At this time, Mexico has very few free databases of public documents.

México's ejidos and the USA Native American Reservations have their own ways of doing things. In the USA, it is usually necessary to follow both the regulations of all states, counties, and reservations in which the business is located.

There are specific types of public information that tell what a small business is, what it owns, what it owes, what it is owed, etc. Some examples of useful public records and at what level the records are generally kept:


• Assets/Liens & Deeds (Real property ownership, what they owe on it & to whom)
  
  México: Called Escritura Pública in Mexico. Registered by the states in the "Registros Públicos De La Propiedad y Del Comercio". List of State Registry Offices. An excellent online example: Chihuahua Registros Públicos De La Propiedad y Del Comercio
  USA: kept by the County Recorder in each county within the state. A fairly complete list of types of recorded documents can be found at http://recorder.maricopa.gov/recdocdata/DocCodeList.htm.
  For a list of County Recorders websites nationwide use NETRonline: Public Records Online
• Bankruptcy Court Cases (who has filed for protection or reorganization)
  México: Bancarrota or quiebra (court ordered) is possible in Mexico
  USA: Special Federal Court System. Not handled by state courts. U.S. Bankruptcy Courts
• Building Permits (term includes many types of permits required to build, modify, or destroy any buildings, structures, infrastructure)
  México: Building and other construction permits are required at the municipio level. Some are required at the state & federal level.
  USA: Done mostly on the county and local level with some required at the state level. For a more complete definition of what requires a building permit go to Permit Place: Permitting 101. To Search for your state, county and local jurisdiction "building permit" information
• Health Inspections (Inspections to assure that health codes and regulations for public places (food, water, public accommodations) are followed)
  México: Done locally and reported to Secretaría de Salud. License also required.
  USA: Health Inspections are done at the state & county level and reported to the U.S. Center for Disease Control. Some counties post restaurant and swimming pool inspections reports online. Health inspections for manufacturing plants are done by several U.S. agencies: USDA, FDA, EPA, CDC, and OSHA.
• Environment Issues (Are environmental permits, reports, etc. required for this business or location?)
  México: Required for maufactuing plants. submitted to SMARNP (Secretaría de Medio Ambiente, Recursos Naturales y Pesca). Additional permits may be required.
  USA: Can be required at all levels of government - national, state, county, & city.
  For a list of State Environmental Services & Information websites nationwide use NETRonline: Public Records Online
• Incorporation or Business Registration (Has the company registered the business with appropriate government agencies?)
  México: National Directory at SIEM Directorio At the state level, use Registro Público de la Propiedad y el Comercio.
  USA: Done at the state level - usually it's the Secretary of State or the State Corporation Commission.
  For a list of State business registrations websites nationwide use NETRonline: Public Records Online
• Licenses, Permits, & Registrar of Contractors (List of the licensing agencies for professions that require state licenses & who is registered.)
  México: Many registrations, licenses & permits are required. Some Licenses are called cédula profesional. Passing licensing exams is not as developed as it is in the U.S. Most licensing is done at the state level.
  USA: Licensing is a certification of your professional credentials that you are properly trained to do this type of work. Done usually at the state level. Some occupations or businesses may also require a county or city license or permit to operate. A few occupations and businesses are regulated and require approval of the appropriate Federal agencies. These licensing boards or Registrars keep files of complaints against those licensed. Some of these agencies have online databses of the complaints. Registrars of Contractors are the state agency administers the examination and licensing of construction businesses. It also keeps track of who is licensed to do contruction work in the state. This includes the construction and related trade industries (roofing, plumbing, electrical, etc.).
• Patents & Trademarks (Do they have intellectual property rights and claims to a name, slogan, or invention?)
  México: Patents are done only on a national level. Trademarks can be registered at national, state, or both levels. Instituto Mexicano Propiedad Industrial
  USA: Patents are done only on a national level. Trademarks can be registered at national, state, or both levels. US Patent & Trademark Office
• Civil & Criminal Case Histories (Plaintiff/Defendant Index) to court cases (Who has sued them, whom did they sue, & criminal actions connected with them.)
  México: The various court levels in Mexico are just starting to develop web sites.
  USA: Court Cases are heard by the court with the jurisdiction for the civil or criminal complaint. That can be Federal, State, County or Municipal (City).
• Property Taxes (especially important if there is a TAX LIEN)
  México: Property Taxes are required.
  USA: Property Taxes, if they exist, are usually collected by the County Treasurer for any state, county, special districts & municipalities.
  For a list of County Treasurers websites nationwide use NETRonline: Public Records Online
• Tax Valuation/Assessments (What is their real property worth for tax purposes?)
  México: Valuations are set.
  USA: Value is set (assessed) by the County Assessor for all levels of government within the state. Maricopa County, Arizona has an explanation for homeowners posted.
  For a list of County Assessors websites nationwide use NETRonline: Public Records Online
• Zoning Permits
  México: Required to operate on a given parcel of land. Filed with Dirección General de Planeación y Desarrollo Urbano.
  USA: Required prior to construction. May need special permits or use variances. Zoning is done at the city and county levels. Only certain zoning permits are issued at the state level.
  Zoning Ordinances are usually part of the city or county "municipal" code. For a list of Municipal Codes online use Municode.com: Free Resources: Online Codes
 


Statistics:
 

México: Economic Analysis:  * Offical Economic Information * Basic Economic & Financial Data * INEGI Economic Statistics	USA: Economic Analysis:  Bureau of Economic Analysis U.S. Economic Accounts Federal Reserve Beige Book (economic conditions)
México: General:	USA: General: FedStats (Index to Federal Statistics)
México: Housing INEGI Housing	USA: Housing American Housing Survey Census Housing Topics House Price Indicator
México: Labor:  STPS Estadísticas Laborales	USA: Labor:  BLS Labor Statistics
México: Population Statistics: INEGI Social & Demographic Statistics	USA: Population Statistics: American FactFinder State & County QuickFacts Street Address or Data Highlights
México: Tourism: Indicadores Turístico	USA: Tourism: Travel Industry Association of American: Travel Statistics & Trends




State & Local Governments
 


México	USA
La Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México LANIC: Mexico: States & Cities Governments on the WWW: Mexico	State and Local Government on the Net State & County Public Record Sites


 

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