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First Cédula

Posted on May 2, 2007
Filed Under Expat Tips, Immigration | 2 Comments

In a previous post, I discussed the steps required to apply for permanent residency in Uruguay and in this post I’ll cover what it takes to apply for a Uruguayan Nation ID (cédula de identidad). The cédula will be needed for many things in Uruguay, such as placing your children in public school, opening checking accounts, getting a local driver’s license etc. Don’t worry, compared to the permanent residency process, getting your cédula will be child’s play. You will be able to apply for one right after your visa status change request has been accepted and you have a Certificado de Llegada or a document proving you are in Trámite. Please note that you can only apply for a Uruguayan ID after your Certificates of Good Conduct (police or FBI reports) have cleared. So if you request these certificates through the Uruguayan Interpol office instead of in your home country, you won’t be able to apply for a cédula for several months.

If this is your first cédula, you will need to call (917 0430) the Dirección Nacional de Identificación Civil (DNIC) to make an appointment (solicitar audiencia). Don’t use the numbers 0900-2101 and 0900-2102 as they are an automated system for renewals only. There is a web site to make appointments online, however you need to register first. And to register, you need your ID number, therefore it only works for renewals. If you choose to bypass the appointment system make sure you arrive at least half an hour early to take a number. The cost is 0,26 Unidades Reajustables for regular processing and 0,52 for urgent. It will take them 3-5 days to process and you will have to go back there to pick it up. You’ll need to go to the DNIC in Montevideo, Rincón 665. The hours are from 7:30 to noon and from 1 to 5 pm. You are going to need your birth certificate and the Certificado de Llegada (or equivalent document) issued by the Dirección Nacional de Migración.

The temporary ID (cédula provisoria) will show that your state is “Residencia en trámite” and will be valid for one year and can be renewed twice if your residency is still in process. After your application is accepted, you’ll be able to renew it and get the permanent ID.

Technically, the Uruguayan ID allows you to travel to the Mercosur countries without Visas only after you become a Uruguayan citizen. But I am not sure this rule is enforced if you arrive by land. US and Canadian citizens considering a trip to Brazil will find this especially convenient. In case you didn’t know, Brazil employs the principle of reciprocity. According to this policy, the requirements for a foreign national entering Brazil are similar to the requirements for Brazilian citizens entering his/her country. So as you can imagine, it is very cumbersome for Americans to enter Brazil, even though not nearly as tough as it is for Brazilians to enter the US.

Other posts in Expat Tips

• Pros and Cons of Shipping Furniture Abroad
• Should I Bring My Electrical Aplliances to Uruguay?
• Usufruct and Inheritance Issues
• Tipping Custom in Uruguay
• American Income Tax While Living Abroad
• Visa Requirements to Travel to Brazil
• Inheritance Laws in Uruguay
• Uruguayan Spanish Conjugation
• Steps To Obtain Permanent Residency in Uruguay
• Uruguayan Permanent Residency Process

Other posts in Immigration

• Pros and Cons of Shipping Furniture Abroad
• Should I Bring My Electrical Aplliances to Uruguay?
• Pros and Cons of Retiring in Uruguay
• Uruguayan Immigration Update
• Visa Requirements to Travel to Brazil
• Steps To Obtain Permanent Residency in Uruguay
• Uruguayan Permanent Residency Process
• Rules for Obtaining Uruguayan Citizenship
• Uruguayan Links

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