Mexico is preparing to introduce a new form of identification in 2026: the Biometric CURP (Unique Population Registry Code). This updated national ID aims to strengthen security, streamline public services, and provide a unified method of identification for all citizens and legal residents.
While the Biometric CURP will retain the familiar 18-character alphanumeric code, it will now integrate biometric data such as fingerprints, iris scans, a digital photograph, and an electronic signature. These enhancements will make it a mandatory national identification document, valid in both physical and digital formats.
According to the federal government, the Biometric CURP serves two main objectives: improving the mechanisms for identifying missing persons and consolidating Mexico’s identification system to reduce bureaucracy and combat fraud.
The new CURP will be recognized as an official ID for all public and private transactions, from school enrollment and opening bank accounts to accessing medical care and social programs. It will carry the same legal weight as a passport or voter identification card.
All biometric information will be securely stored in the National Identity Database under strict security measures, in compliance with the General Law on the Protection of Personal Data. This ensures that access to sensitive information remains restricted and fully audited.
The implementation process will be gradual. Pilot programs are already underway in several states, with national registration set to open in January 2026 through Civil Registry offices and National Population Registry (RENAPO) modules. The full transition will occur in February 2026, when the Biometric CURP becomes mandatory.
Obtaining the Biometric CURP will be free of charge and conducted in person to ensure accurate biometric data collection. Applicants will need to present a certified birth certificate, valid ID (INE, passport, or professional license), proof of address, and their current CURP if available.
During registration, fingerprints, iris scans, a digital photograph, and an electronic signature will be captured. Both versions of the CURP—the traditional and the biometric—will remain valid during the transition period until the national database is fully updated.
The initiative follows the July 2025 decree published in the Official Gazette of the Federation, which reformed Article 91 Bis of the Population Registry Law. The reform mandates the inclusion of biometric data in the CURP, giving it full status as a national ID.
In preparation, the government has linked the new CURP to a secure digital ID platform and contracted advanced cloud services to safeguard biometric data.
By combining biometric technology with digital validation, the Biometric CURP represents a significant step forward in Mexico’s identity management, ensuring stronger protection against fraud and greater efficiency in accessing both public and private services.
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