When Does the Biometric CURP Become Mandatory in 2026?

The announcement that the Unique Population Registry Code (CURP) would become a mandatory identity document with biometric data was made in 2025. However, its implementation has been progressive, and 2026 will mark a significant turning point in how the Mexican State verifies the identity of its citizens. The implementation of the biometric CURP is part of a strategy to modernize the national identity system. On July 16, 2025, the federal government published a decree in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) that reforms the General Population Law, officially incorporating biometric data into the national registry. With this modification,

will cease to be merely an administrative code and will become a robust identification document, by integrating: -Holder’s photograph -Fingerprints -Iris scan

When Will the Biometric CURP Be Mandatory in 2026?

Although the legal reform is already in effect, the mandatory nature of the biometric CURP will not be immediate or abrupt. The government has designed a gradual implementation scheme to allow for technical and operational adjustments before its full adoption. The anticipated timeline is as follows: -Pilot Phase (July 2025):States such as Veracruz, Mexico City, and the State of Mexico began operating special modules where it is already possible to process the CURP with biometrics. This stage serves as a test to evaluate processes, timelines, and technological capacity. -National Launch (January 2026):Beginning this month, the biometric CURP can be processed at Civil Registry modules and RENAPO offices nationwide, expanding coverage to the general public. -Mandatory Implementation Begins (February 2026):It is anticipated that from this month, the biometric CURP will be required as an official identification for procedures that necessitate identity verification, gradually superseding the traditional version.

For Which Procedures Will the Biometric CURP Be Required in 2026?

One of the key aspects of the new model is the transversal scope of the biometric CURP. Starting in February 2026, this document will be recognized as valid official identification across a wide range of both public and private sector processes. Among the main procedures where it will be essential are: -Health ServicesRegistration, affiliation, and care in hospitals, clinics, and public health systems. -Social Programs and PensionsEnrollment, validation, and collection of government support, scholarships, and pensions. -Financial and Banking SystemAccount opening, credit contracting, identity validation in financial operations, and fraud prevention. -EducationSchool enrollments, certifications, and administrative procedures in public and private institutions. Furthermore, companies, educational institutions, insurance providers, and service providers must accept the biometric CURP as a means of identification when presented by citizens, particularly in processes requiring precise identity verification.

Impact for Businesses and Government Agencies: Mandatory Adaptation

The advent of the biometric CURP will not only impact citizens. It also represents an operational and technological challenge for public agencies and the private sector, which will need to adapt their systems to validate biometric data. For businesses, especially those in the financial, educational, and healthcare sectors, this implies: -Updating identification protocols -Investing in systems compatible with official databases -Training personnel in new verification processes -Adjusting personal data protection policies

Requirements for Processing the Biometric CURP

The process for obtaining the biometric CURP will be in-person and will require documentary validation of the applicant. According to preliminary guidelines, the requirements include: -Valid official identification (INE or passport) -Certified birth certificate -Recent proof of address -Active email address During the process, fingerprints, photographs, and iris scans will be captured; this data will be permanently associated with the national registry.