What Is a CURP in Mexico and How Foreign Residents Get One
You probably already have one: INM normally assigns the CURP when it issues your resident card. How to print it, where it is needed and how to fix mistakes.
The CURP (Clave Única de Registro de Población) is the personal identity code Mexico’s National Population Registry, RENAPO, assigns to every resident. Foreign residents normally get it from the National Migration Institute (INM) when their resident card is issued, and anyone can look it up and print it free at gob.mx/curp.
What is the CURP used for?
The CURP is an identification code, not an ID card. It is a string of letters and numbers built from your name, date of birth, sex and place of birth, and it links your records across government agencies. Mexicans get one at birth registration; foreigners get one when they become residents.
You will be asked for it far more often than you expect. Common requests include:
- Registering with the Tax Administration Service (SAT) for an RFC tax ID.
- Signing up for IMSS, including voluntary IMSS enrollment.
- Opening bank and brokerage accounts.
- Enrolling children in school and many online government procedures.
- Employment contracts and payroll with a Mexican employer.
How is the CURP different from the RFC?
The CURP belongs to the population registry run by RENAPO, part of the Interior Ministry (Secretaría de Gobernación). The RFC is a tax registration issued by the SAT. Both are built partly from your name and date of birth, so the first characters often look alike, but they are separate codes from separate agencies. Having a CURP does not register you for taxes, and an RFC is not a substitute when an office asks for your CURP.
How do foreign residents get a CURP?
For most foreign residents the CURP comes automatically with residency. When INM issues a temporary or permanent resident card, it registers the person with RENAPO and the code is normally printed on the card itself. You do not need a separate appointment.
Tourists and other visitors without residency are generally not assigned a regular CURP. If you have just finished the INM canje and the code is not on your card, search for it online first; if nothing appears, ask the INM office that issued the card, since your CURP is built from INM’s records.
Some temporary residents notice that their code is tied to their immigration status. When you move from temporary to permanent residency, check that the record shown at gob.mx/curp reflects the new status.
How do you download and print your CURP?
RENAPO’s CURP lookup on gob.mx lets you search in two ways and download the official PDF:
- Go to gob.mx/curp.
- Enter your CURP if you know it, or choose the option for people who do not know their CURP and type your names, date of birth, sex and state of birth exactly as on your resident card. Foreign-born residents usually select the option for people born abroad.
- Click search, check the data on screen and download the PDF.
- Save the file and print a couple of copies. The printout from gob.mx is the standard proof; offices accept it on plain paper.
The service is free. Sites that charge to “process” or “certify” a CURP are not government sites.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Code printed on your resident card | Search it at gob.mx/curp and download the PDF |
| No code on the card | Search by name and birth data; if nothing appears, ask INM |
| Name or date wrong on the CURP | Request a correction (see below) |
| Two CURPs appear | Ask RENAPO which one is valid before using either |
How do you fix an error in your CURP?
Errors usually come from how a name was typed into INM’s system: a missing second surname, a middle name dropped or accents added. Because a foreign resident’s CURP is created from immigration records, the correction normally starts with INM, which updates the data RENAPO uses. Bring your passport and resident card so the office can compare spellings.
RENAPO runs a help line at 800 9 11 11 11, extensions 15100 and 15101, Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 16:00, as listed on gob.mx/curp. Call it if the online search returns nothing or shows data you do not recognize. Fix errors before you use the CURP for SAT, a bank or IMSS, since mismatched names cause problems at each of them.
Is there a new CURP with a photo?
Mexico has been introducing a version of the CURP that includes a photograph and other biometric data. As of November 2026, the regular CURP code you download from gob.mx/curp still works for everyday procedures. Whether and when foreign residents will need the photo version, and through which office, is set by RENAPO; check the CURP page on gob.mx for current instructions rather than paying third parties who offer to “update” it.
Bottom line
Look at your resident card, find the 18-character code, and download the official PDF from gob.mx/curp today. Check every letter of your name against your passport, and fix any mismatch with INM before you register with SAT or a bank.
FAQ
Does a CURP make me a Mexican citizen or tax resident?
No. The CURP is a population registry code and has no effect on nationality. Tax residency depends on SAT rules about where you live and earn.
Can I get a CURP as a tourist?
Visitors without residency generally do not receive a regular CURP. It comes with temporary or permanent residency issued by INM.
Does my CURP change when I renew my card?
Normally the code stays the same if your personal data does not change. Check gob.mx/curp after any change of status or name.
