Cierre (Closing)see-EH-rreh
Cierre is the final stage of a real estate transaction in Mexico when the buyer and seller sign the escritura pública (public deed) before the notario, the purchase funds and closing costs are paid, and ownership legally transfers. For higher-value properties, Federal Civil Code Article 2320 requires a public deed when the appraised value exceeds 365 times the applicable daily minimum wage.
By Daniel Ortega · Last reviewed 8 November 2026
How it works
In Mexico, cierre happens at the notario público's office, typically 4 to 8 weeks after the purchase offer is accepted. On closing day, the notario verifies the identity of all parties, confirms that taxes (ISAI acquisition tax) and fees have been paid or are being paid, reads the final escritura pública aloud or summarizes it, and witnesses the buyer and seller sign it. The buyer (or the buyer's attorney with a poder notarial) pays the balance of the purchase price plus closing costs, which total 4 to 8 percent of the purchase price for foreign buyers in Quintana Roo. For foreign buyers in the restricted zone (within 50 km of the coast), the fideicomiso must be set up before cierre, adding up to 30 days to the timeline. The notario then submits the signed escritura to the Registro Público de la Propiedad for registration; only after registration is the transfer legally effective against third parties under Federal Civil Code Article 3007. Article 2320 of the Federal Civil Code requires a public deed when the appraised value of the real property exceeds 365 times the applicable daily minimum wage, while Article 2317 permits private documents for transfers below that threshold. The term "cierre" refers to the entire final closing event, while "escrituración" specifically refers to the deed formalization and signing step within that event.