Getting the Uruguayan identity card for foreigners is a procedure that you must complete if you intend to live and work in Uruguay. As in other countries, this is a mandatory document for both nationals and foreigners. Therefore, if you plan to move to Uruguay, you must process your identity card.
In charge of the National Directorate of Civil Identification, this procedure can be carried out after the legal residence process has begun before the National Directorate of Migration.
This is the information you need to know about how to get the Uruguayan identity card for foreigners. If you have any questions, contact us and we will be happy to guide you on the matter. At ResidenciasUy we are your gateway to Uruguay!
What is the Uruguayan identity card for foreigners?
The identity card is the document that by default identifies all people in Uruguay, both nationals and foreigners. It is mandatory from 45 days of birth and absolutely necessary to move within the country when you are not a tourist, given that it can be required by the authorities at any time and within the framework of various procedures.
Likewise, the identity card is a valid document for traveling within Mercosur.
Like other procedures, the Uruguayan identity card for foreigners must be carried out in person. In addition, minors under 14 years of age need to be accompanied by a father, mother or guardian to process it.
What do I need to process the Uruguayan identity card for foreigners?
If you are a foreigner, you will not be able to process the identity card until you have started your legal residence process before the National Immigration Directorate.
After starting the process, you must present the following documents to process the Uruguayan identity card for foreigners:
- If you are a foreigner and have residency in Uruguay granted
In this case you must present:
- Testimony of birth certificate registered in the Foreigners Section of the Uruguayan Civil Registry (or apostilled birth certificate in case you have not yet registered, in which case you will be granted a provisional ID for one year)
- Residence certificate: it is the document issued digitally by the National Immigration Directorate that certifies that you have your current legal residence.
- Identity document from the country of origin
- Expired ID or report of theft/loss: if you have it
We explain how to register your birth certificate in Uruguay in the following link
- If you are a foreigner and have residency pending
In this case you must present:
- Residence certificate in process issued digitally by the National Migration Directorate
- Birth certificate registered in the Foreigners Section of the Civil Registry (or) apostilled birth certificate from the country of origin if you have not yet registered
- Identity document from the country of origin
How to process the Uruguayan identity card for foreigners
Once you gather the corresponding documentation, you can get the Uruguayan identity card for foreigners at any office of the National Directorate of Civil Identification. To do this, you must schedule an appointment and then appear in person at the chosen office.
The procedure to process the Uruguayan identity card for foreigners would be as follows:
- Schedule a hearing. You can click on the “start online process” button in the following link:
- Complete the form and follow the indicated steps
- Select day and time for the hearing. Also the office where you are going to carry out the procedure
- Make the corresponding payment
- Present yourself at the corresponding office on the scheduled date and time, with all the necessary documentation.
It is also possible to obtain an appointment in person at Abitab branches or at offices of the National Directorate of Civil Identification.
Are you looking for a solution for this process? At ResidenciasUy, we provide a comprehensive service so that every foreigner can access Uruguayan identity documents. To live, work, undertake and invest in our country.