La Paz, Baja California Sur
Local Government in La Paz, BCS
Baja California Sur has three levels of government: federal, state, and municipal. For most day-to-day expat matters in La Paz — property taxes, business licenses, utility permits, civil registry documents — the Ayuntamiento de La Paz (city government) is your primary point of contact. State-level matters run through the Gobierno de BCS, and federal matters (immigration, taxes, social security) through their respective federal agencies.
Current Officials
Municipal President — La Paz
Name
Milena Paola Quiroga Romero
Party
Morena
Term
2021–2027 (reelected 2024)
La Paz municipal terms are six years under the BCS electoral system. The Municipal President functions as the mayor of La Paz.
Governor — Baja California Sur
Name
Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío
Party
Morena
Term
September 10, 2021 – September 9, 2027
BCS governor terms are six years, non-renewable under the BCS constitution.
Ayuntamiento de La Paz — Municipal Government
The Ayuntamiento de La Paz is the municipal government that oversees city services, public works, local permits, property taxes (predial), and municipal programs for the city of La Paz and its surrounding communities.
State Government — Baja California Sur
bcs.gob.mx is the main portal for state trámites, institutional directory, and links to all five municipalities.
BCS Government Structure
Like all Mexican states, BCS has executive (governor), legislative (state congress), and judicial (state courts) branches. The state is divided into five municipios, each with its own elected Municipal President and Ayuntamiento:
| Municipio | Municipal Seat | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| La Paz | La Paz | State capital. Largest municipality by population. |
| Comondú | Ciudad Constitución | Agricultural heartland of BCS. Includes Loreto until 1976 when Loreto became its own municipality. |
| Mulegé | Mulegé | Largest municipality by area. Includes Santa Rosalía and Guerrero Negro. |
| Loreto | Loreto | UNESCO World Heritage area. Historic mission town and growing tourism destination. |
| Los Cabos | San José del Cabo | Fastest-growing municipality. Includes Cabo San Lucas and the Tourist Corridor. Expats in Los Cabos deal with the Ayuntamiento de Los Cabos, not La Paz. |
Important for expats: If you live in San José del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas, your municipal government is the Ayuntamiento de Los Cabos, not La Paz. Local permits, property taxes, and city services are handled at the local municipal level.
Key Government Offices for Expats
The offices most commonly needed by expats and long-term residents in La Paz.
Civil Registry — records births, marriages, divorces and deaths, and issues certified copies (actas). Only a civil marriage is legally recognized in Mexico.
SAT — Servicio de Administración Tributaria
Mexico's federal tax authority. Issues the RFC (tax ID) and the e.firma electronic signature, needed for selling property, working or running a business in Mexico.
IMSS — Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social
Mexican Social Security. Relevant to expats who enroll voluntarily in IMSS for affordable healthcare, or who employ Mexican staff and must register them.
INM — Instituto Nacional de Migración
Federal immigration authority. Handles FMM tourist cards, temporary/permanent residency, and visa renewals. See dedicated INM listing for full details.
Secretaría de Finanzas y Administración (BCS)
State finance department. Collects state taxes and fees, including vehicle plates, the annual refrendo and driver's licence fees.
Population of La Paz
La Paz is Baja California Sur's largest city and state capital. The municipality has an estimated 321,359 residents in 2026, according to projections from Mexico's National Population Council (CONAPO):
- Municipality of La Paz: approximately 321,359 residents
- Urban core (city proper): approximately 273,790 residents
La Paz is larger than Los Cabos by total municipal population but receives far fewer international tourists, giving it a more authentically Mexican character. The city has grown steadily as an expat and remote-worker destination without losing the pace and culture that make it distinct from Cabo.
Notaries Public (Notarías)
Notaries aren't a government office, but you'll likely need one. In Mexico a notario público is a lawyer licensed by the state, with far broader powers than a US or Canadian notary. A notary must formalize property purchases and sales, wills and powers of attorney, and the notarized copies some procedures ask for.
There are many notarías in La Paz and across Baja California Sur, each numbered and run by its own notary, so there's no single office to go to. Most expats use the notary their real estate agent or lawyer recommends.