Biometric CURP becomes mandatory for federal procedures

Mexico — Authorities have announced that the biometric CURP will become mandatory. The requirement will apply to various procedures starting in February.

The biometric CURP is a national identification document that, in addition to the traditional alphanumeric code, incorporates data such as fingerprints, digital photograph, iris scan, and the person’s signature.

Its function is to confirm that the legal identity matches the biometric identity of each citizen when carrying out official procedures.

This CURP format will be necessary for federal government procedures and services, although until now the traditional version remains valid for other uses.

The mandatory nature of the biometric CURP is provided for in Article 91 Bis of the General Population Law, which establishes its use in both physical and digital formats.

PROCEDURES THAT WILL REQUIRE THE BIOMETRIC CURP

Authorities estimate that some service modules will begin requesting the biometric CURP to carry out procedures starting in February of this year, after service points were enabled in January at modules of the Civil Registry and the National Population Registry (Renapo).

Among the procedures and services that may require this document are:

• Enrollment in schools at all levels
• Access to federal medical services
• Collection of federal scholarships, support, and pensions
• Procedures such as passports, licenses, and official certificates

REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

To process the biometric CURP, a certified CURP, a valid official identification (such as INE or passport), and a birth certificate in the case of minors are required.

The process is carried out at Renapo or Civil Registry modules, where the biometric information of each applicant is captured.

GRADUAL IMPLEMENTATION

Although the mandatory nature is projected for February 2026, the documentation and its requirement may begin gradually in different agencies.

The new document, in physical and digital format, will be integrated little by little into official identity verification systems.

USE OF BIOMETRIC DATA

The biometric CURP integrates unique data from each person—such as fingerprints, iris, photograph, and signature—that allows validating citizens’ identities in real time.

This system was designed so that authorities can confirm that each applicant’s identity formally matches official records.