WHAT IS A CURP IN MEXICO?  

Have you ever heard of conspiracy theories that suggest we have a chip implanted in our bodies? Or that Social Security numbers are used to control people? Mexicans have this too, like any other government; all residents and citizens must have an ID with a unique combination of letters, numbers, or both. In Mexico’s case, it is called CURP. It stands for Clave Única de Registro de Población. This is not an ID, but an identification code that is in your ID.

This allows you to open bank accounts, study, access the health system, and even vote. Essentially, you need a CURP to live in Mexico; this is crucial for you to move around the country and benefit from the privileges of being a citizen or resident.

How the CURP Was Created?

On October 23, 1996, the Mexican government officially established the structure and purpose of the CURP through a Presidential Agreement for its adoption and use by the Federal Public Administration. This laid the foundation for the CURP to function as a national identification code. Since then, it has become a key tool for supporting population policies and planning nationwide.

 

What Is the CURP Used For?

The CURP (Unique Population Registry Code) is a key identifier used in Mexico to access both government and private services. It complements other official documents and is required in many everyday situations, whether you're registering with the tax authority (SAT), enrolling in school, applying for a job, or completing legal procedures with a notary. Entrepreneurs also need it when applying for permits or setting up a business.

How Is the CURP Constructed?
The CURP is a unique 18-character alphanumeric code that captures key elements of a person's identity. It’s built using specific personal data, such as initials, birthdate, gender, state of birth, and a random set of characters to ensure no two CURPs are the same.

How the CURP is constructed:

  • First letter and first vowel of the person’s first surname 
  • First letter of the second surname 
  • First letter of the first given name 
  • Date of birth in the format: YYMMDD 
  • A letter indicating gender: “H” for male, “M” for female 
  • Abbreviation of the state where the person was born 
  • First internal consonant of the first surname 
  • First internal consonant of the second surname 
  • First internal consonant of the given name 
  • A character to distinguish generations: a number (0–9) for those born before 2000 or a letter (A–Z) for those born from 2000 onward 
  • Two additional characters are assigned randomly to prevent duplicate CURPs. 

This is a standardized combination to ensure that it is tied to the person it belongs to and represents.

Where is the CURP?

The CURP is in your birth certificate. This document also includes a unique bar-code that identifies you as a person registered in Mexico.

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Acta de nacimiento mexicana


You can go to the Mexican government website and fill in a simple form with your personal information to obtain a two-page PDF with your CURP. This also includes a QR code. 

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In your dual citizenship process, you are given a CURP. If you are looking for a stress-free process to obtain your dual citizenship, DNEXPRESS can assist you. From document preparation to guiding you through the application process, we’ll ensure you’re set up for success.

Book a free consultation now!