Argentine identity card

The Argentine 'identity card, ) or DNI '), is the main identity document for Argentine citizens, as well as temporary or permanent resident aliens. It is issued at a person's birth, and must be updated at 5/8 and 14 years of age, and thereafter every 15 years. It takes the form of a card, and is required for voting, payments, military service inscriptions and formalities. They are issued by the National Registry of Persons, at a special plant in Parque Patricios, Buenos Aires City.''
The front side of the card states, in both English and Spanish, the name, sex, nationality, specimen issue, date of birth, date of issue, date of expiry, and transaction number along with the DNI number, portrait, and signature of the card's bearer. The back side of the card shows the address of the card's bearer. Both back sides of the card shows a Data Matrix code, and a machine-readable information. The unique DNI number is semi-perforated through the front-right side of the card. Also, biometric version includes braile support.
The DNI is a valid international travel document to enter the member countries of Mercosur and countries associated to the bloc.
In 2026, the Argentine identity card with biometric chip legislation was enacted.

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Obligation of identification

Legal requirement in Argentina

It is obligatory for Argentine citizens and residents to have a National Identity Document ; this is the Obligation of Identification. The document is a means of verifying one's identity and exercising various fundamental rights. This obligation is rooted in both legal entitlement and civic duty.
The issuance of DNIs falls under the jurisdiction of the National Registry of Persons, which oversees the administration and distribution of these essential identification documents.
All Argentine nationals, whether residing within the country or abroad, and foreign individuals resident in Argentina, are required to possess a valid DNI.
The process of obtaining a DNI typically begins at birth: parents or legal guardians are required to register a child within 40 days of birth, free of charge, at Civil Registry offices, delegated centers, or designated public hospitals. A lifelong DNI number is assigned. Children's DNI must be updated between the ages of 5 and 8, and upon reaching the age of 14. Renewal may also be necessary for various reasons such as changes in personal information or in case of damage, loss, or theft.
Noteworthy legal provisions, such as National Law 26.743 on Gender Identity, enable individuals to request modifications to their DNI to reflect their self-perceived gender identity.
Required documentation for birth registration includes the parents' DNIs, the birth certificate issued by the healthcare facility, vaccination records if requested, and relevant acknowledgment or adoption certificates if applicable.
In cases where parents or guardians are resident foreign nationals, presentation of a valid Argentine foreigner's DNI along with an unexpired passport or identity card from their country is mandatory.
If parents have never possessed a DNI, alternate procedures are in place requiring testimony from two adult witnesses to verify their identity. Should the Civil Registry refuse registration under these circumstances, recourse can be sought through the nearest CAJ.
During the registration process, the newborn's photograph and fingerprints are captured. Parents or guardians receive the birth certificate and confirmation of the DNI application, with exemptions in cases where marriage certificates are available, allowing for individual registration.

Issuance and availability

The Argentine National Identity Card is issued by the National Registry of People in the individual's district of residency. It is a mandatory identity, and must be renewed. There are fines if not. Argentine nationals living outside Argentina must also obtain the identity card through Argentine embassies and consulates. To obtain or renew the card, individuals must undergo an in-person identity verification process.
Unlike Argentine passports, Argentine identity cards are valid for fifteen years if over 14 years old. However, if the cardholder is under 14 old at the time of issuance, the validity period must be at their update age.
The ID card currently costs 7.500 pesos 14.000 pesos if the holder is a foreigner on the date of issue when issued within Argentina.

Travel validity

The validity of the Argentine card for travel extends to all member states of the Mercosur, associated, as well as the other Comunidad Andina states such as Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, and Ecuador.
Furthermore, the Argentine identity card serves as a recognized travel document in Brasil as a per-registration for those overage.

Limitations and exceptions

Most other countries require a passport and, in some cases, a travel visa. The Guyana, Suriname, Falkland Islands, and the non-European parts of the Netherlands do not accept the Argentine identity card for entry.
When flying to French overseas territories, passengers may need to avoid transitional points in countries that do not recognize the ID card.

History

Before the introduction of the DNI in 1968, women had a Libreta cívica ; men a Libreta de enrolamiento. For many years, the DNI was issued as a small green booklet. In 2009, the DNI was revamped and digitalized; and booklets were issued along with an identity card simultaneously. Since 2012, DNIs are issued only in card format. The new DNI card is required to obtain the new biometric Argentine passport. Foreigners can get it at “RadEx” system but "extranjero" is printed on the back side. Argentines can get a libro de matrícula, which is only for citizens, in consulates.
In 2020, the DNI card was restyled to show the new bicontinental official map of Argentina.
On 20 July 2021, President Alberto Fernández signed a decree mandating the RENAPER to allow a third gender option on all DNI cards and passports, marked as an "X". The measure applies to non-citizen permanent residents who possess Argentine identity cards as well. In compliance with the 2012 Gender Identity Law, this made Argentina the first country in South America to legally recognize non-binary gender on all official documentation, freely and upon the person's request.

New identity cards

In April 2023, an important development occurred in Argentina with regards to the DNI. This development marked a significant step in the ongoing historical narrative surrounding the Falkland Islands and the recognition of the contributions and sacrifices made by its veterans, putting a new 'seal' with the geographic map of it, with the legend "HEROE DE LAS ISLAS MALVINAS". This update was mandatory only for war veterans.
As of December 2023, the Argentine National Registry of Persons, operating under the Ministry of Interior, has introduced the new Biometric National Identity Document. This cutting-edge identification document stands out for its adherence to the highest international standards in terms of security, technology, and quality. It incorporates an electronic chip and a Data Matrix code, enabling electronic document validation, identity verification, digital functionalities, and enhanced security measures.
Printed using laser technology on polycarbonate, the new document incorporates advanced physical security features to enhance visual verification and prevent counterfeiting. Polycarbonate, known for its durability, serves as the base material, providing increased resilience.
Beginning 2026, during Milei governemnt, the new Argentine identity cards was finally enacted since febraury. In this time at the PDFs of the Official Gazzete, it can be seen that the Identity cards have CAN code if once updated, and conserves the same format for foreigners.

Biometric data and security

On January 26, 2011, Argentina introduced new photograph requirements for the Documento Nacional de Identidad through Resolution 169/2011. These regulations outlined specific standards for the image to be included in the DNI. The photograph must be recent, taken from the front, showing a half-bust with the head completely uncovered. The photo should be in color, with a plain, uniform light blue background, and sized at 4 cm by 4 cm. It is essential that the image accurately represents the individual's facial features without any alterations or distortions, ensuring the person's identity is faithfully reflected.
Exceptions to these rules are allowed for religious or health reasons. For example, individuals may cover their hair if required by their religion, as long as the main facial features remain visible. Additionally, those who cover their face for religious reasons can request to have their photo taken in a private setting by a same-sex official.
The resolution also allowed for the continuation of accepting applications with photographs showing a 3/4 right profile until June 30, 2011, after which all applications had to comply with the new front-facing photo requirements.

Physical appearance

The current ID card is an ID-1 polycarbonate with an embedded RFID chip. It is covered with multi-color guillochés and appears blue and light-blue from a distance. All the information on it, is given in Spanish, and English.

Front side

The front side shows the Sun of May, the Cockade, the Perito Moreno Glacier, a Bicontinental Map, three stars, and the words "DOCUMENTO NACIONAL DE IDENTIDAD República Argentina - Mercosur". It contains the following information:

Photo of ID card holder
Document number
Surname
Given name(s)
Date of birth
Date of expiry
Date of issue
Nationality
Seal with the legend "EX-COMBATIENTE¨ ¨HÉROE/HEROÍNA DE LA GUERRA DE LAS MALVINAS¨
CAN Number
Sex
Signature of holder

Rear side

The rear side shows the National Flag Memorial, the Argentina Flag, the Falkland Islands map, the Ceibo flower, and the Southern right whale. It contains the following information:

Address of residence
Place of birth
No of procedure
CUIL No
QR/Data Matrix code
Machine-readable zone

For non-citizens, it is also added:

Country of birth
Date of entry
Entry category
Disposición
Filing date
Expiry

Machine-readable zone

The MRZ is structured according to the ICAO standard for machine-readable ID cards:

First line

positions	text	meaning
1–2	ID	identity document
3-5	ARG	issuing country: Argentina
6–14	alphanumeric digits	document number
15	decimal digit	check digit over 6–14

Second line

positions	text	meaning
1–6	decimal digits	date of birth
7	decimal digit	check digit over 1–6
8	decimal digit	First letter of the name or second name
9–14	decimal digits	date of expiry
15	decimal digit	check digit over 9–14
16-18	ARG	code of the country: Argentina
30	decimal digit	check digit over 6–30, 1–7, 9–15, 19–29

Third line

positions	text	meaning
1–30	alphabetic digits<alphabetic digits<alphabetic digits	SURNAME<< GIVEN<NAMES

Empty spaces are represented by "<".

Different spellings of the same name within the same document

Names of Cyrillic origin : In Argentine DNI, names which originally appeared in non-Latin scripts are transliterated in keeping with international standards such as ISO 9, to give a standard and accurate representation in the Latin alphabet. For example:

* Ж → Ž
* Ч → Č
* Ш → Š
* Щ → Šč
* Ю → Û
* Я → Â

This causes Russian surnames and given names appear uniformly on the DNI, allowing identification and avoiding confusions between writing systems.
Although there are no strict standards by law, these regulations are traditionally adhered to in practice for Argentine identification cards.Use of diacritics: The Argentine DNI has historically often been issued without diacritics such as acute accents in personal names. However, if the omission can be verified against the official birth certificate —the primary source for identity data— a rectification may be requested. Such corrections are considered an issuance error and can be processed without cost if claimed within 90 days of delivery of the document.

Security features

The identity card contains the following security features:

Front
Rainbow print or iris print
Printing of touch surfaces
Offset printing composed of security backgrounds
Guilloche of two colors
Line Width Modulation
Integrated Transparent Hologram
Matte surface printing
Numismatic print design
Safety background merged with portrait area
Transparent window
Pre customized serial number
Repeating photos within a transparent window
Laser engraved personal data
Changing laser imaging
Changeable portrait photo repetition with copy letter
Tactile laser engraving on the date of birth data
Transparent liquid coating of the photographic portrait with typographic personalization of the surname and date of birth
Safety background merged with portrait area
*Rear
OVI optically variable ink.
Offset printing of security backgrounds
Transparent window
Rainbow print
Line width modulation
Numismatic Print Design

Chip

Newer ID cards contain an ICAO recommendations compatible RFID chip. The chip stores the information given on the ID card, the holder's picture and fingerprints. In addition, the new ID card can be used for online authentication, governmental transactions, digital certificate, access to Online Services, etc. An electronic signature, provided by a private company, can also be stored on the chip. The fingerprints take is mandatory. However, there are rare exceptions to this rule, for medical issues, for example. They are uploaded to the Sistema Federal de Identificación Biométrica para la Seguridad .

Problems and challenges

The main issues with the Argentine Identity cards are mainly the price, which increases with inflation and has been reported to be fairly high. Exemption from payment can be made to people with a "Certificado de Pobreza". However, Internet access is required due to the use of TAD.
In the elections of 2023 there were some issues with old documents, such as the old "DNI Card" marked "NO VÁLIDO PARA VOTAR", although the card had later been approved for voting. This also included electoral census issues.

Old booklet

Earlier Identity cards in Argentina came in the form of paper booklets in a green cover for Argentines, Bordeaux cover for foreigners, much like modern day passports. On the outside, the Emblem of the Argentine Republic Republic as well as the words "Mercosur" "REPÚBLICA ARGENTINA", "DOCUMENTO NACIONAL DE IDENITDAD", "REGISTRO NACIONAL DE LAS PERSONAS LEY 17.671", are embossed. Inside the cover page there was a place for votes proofs and addresses change. They also had the legends written "MENOR DE 16 AÑOS" and "EXTRANJERO", respectively.
Inside the cover page there is a notice to the bearer:

La presentación del documento nacional de identidad, expedido por el Registro nacional de Personas, será obligatoria en todas las circunstancias comprendidas en esta Ley, sin que pueda ser suplido por ningún otro documento de identidad.

Art. 13 - Ley 17.671.

Todas las personas de existencia visible o sus representantes legales, comprendidas en la presente Ley, consulares o que se habiliten como tales, el "cambio de domicilio", dentro de los treinta días de haberse producido la novedad.

Art. 47 - Ley 17.671.

Which translates to:

The presentation of the national identity document, issued by the National Registry of Persons, will be mandatory in all circumstances covered by this Law, and it cannot be replaced by any other identification document.

Art. 13 - Law 17,671.

All persons of visible existence or their legal representatives, covered by this Law, consular or those who enable themselves as such, must report a "change of address" within thirty days of the occurrence of the change.

Art. 47 - Law 17,671.

Digital Booklet

In 2009 the Argentine Identity card became a blue booklet, made of a plastic, with new features.
Most parts were "digitized", with anti-counterfeiting measures. However, some kept "handwritten" style in some parts.
An additional card version was also provided for Argentine residents at least 16 years old.