Catalysts' precursor of Co/Mg/Al promoted with Ce and La were tested in the steam reforming of methane (SRM). The addition of promoters was made by anion-exchange. The oxides characterization was made by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis that confirmed Co2+ species in free form on surface and interacted with Mg and Al in the form of solid solution. In the SRM with high fed molar ratio of H2O:CH4 = 4:1, the catalysts showed a great affinity with water and immediately deactivated by oxidation of the active sites. In the stoichiometric ratio of H2O:CH4 = 2: 1 the catalysts were active and presented low carbon deposition during the time reaction tested. Also a test with low fed molar ratio H2O:CH4 = 0.5:1 was carried out to evaluate the stability of the catalysts by CH4 decomposition and all the catalysts were stable during 6 h of reaction. Promoted catalysts presented lower carbon deposition. (C) 2009 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.