How to get an Argentinian D.N.I.

D.N.I. stands for Documento Nacional de Identidad, i.e. National Identity Document. If you're going to be in Argentina for any length of time you'll soon realise that life is much, much easier with a D.N.I. You'll be asked for it on loads of occasions, such as:

• applying for services (such as phone, internet, electricity, etc.)
• purchasing anything with a credit card
• purchasing anything requiring delivery
• making travel arrangements within Argentina (higher prices without a DNI)
• enrolling in courses
• trying to open a bank account
• and so on...

If you're eligible to receive a D.N.I., then this article at clickargentina.com will guide you through the steps to take in order to get one. Luckily the process is generally much easier than that of Getting permanent residence.

NOTE: The following information is for people living in the Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. If you're living elsewhere in Argentina then you should contact your local Registro Civil.

1. Gather your documents

You'll need the following documents in order to apply for a D.N.I.:

• Original certified birth certificate which has an apostille or has been legalised by the Argentine consul in your country of birth. This must be translated into Spanish by a registered national public translator and verified by the Colegio de Traductores Públicos.
• Your residence certificate as issued by the national immigration office (e.g. your Radicación temporaria or Radicación permanente.)
• A document issued by your local police authority which states your current residential address (Certificado de Domicilio)
• 2 passport photos (you can get these done at the DNI office though you may have to queue and the quality there isn't very good).

2. Make a photocopy of everything

Though photocopies may not be required when applying for a D.N.I., government offices in Argentina are notorious for requesting photocopies of just about everything, so it's better to have them ready just in case.

3. Go to the central D.N.I. office

Argentinians can request a D.N.I. from several offices throughout the city but foreigners are required to apply from the central office of the Registro Nacional de las Personas (located at 25 de mayo 155).

Be sure to go along early - initial applications are normally only accepted in the morning and as with other trámites in Argentina there can be long queues and limits on the number or applications accepted per day.

4. Join the queues

Unless things have since changed, the process at the D.N.I. office goes something like this (it took me 5 hours!):

• Queue outside until the guard allows you to enter the building.
• Grab a number then join a seated queue on the entrance floor and wait until your number is called.
• Have your documents looked over and if they're ok you'll be given a different coloured number and you can proceed downstairs, else come back another day.
• Join the first downstairs queue and wait for your number to be called.
• Have your documents looked over again (by someone more knowledgeable?) and if they're ok you'll be given another number so you can proceed to the second downstairs queue, else go home...
• Go and pay the application fee at the cashier ($15 pesos at the time of writing) and also get your photos done while you're waiting if you haven't brought any with you.
• Wait for your number to be called then present your documents to the public servant who calls you over.
• Read things, sign things, give your fingerprints, etc., then you'll be given a piece of paper stating that your D.N.I. application is in process. You'll be told to wait 3 to 4 months before coming back to collect your D.N.I.
• Go home and feel good that your D.N.I. application is in process (on a shelf somewhere for 3+ months...)

5. Go back to the D.N.I. office

Once 3 to 4 months have passed, go back to the Registro Nacional de las Personas in the afternoon along with the piece of paper they gave you with your application number on it.

• Present your paper to the guard outside then the public servant inside (after queuing of course) and if your D.N.I. is ready you'll be allowed to proceed downstairs.
• Wait for your name to be called, present your paper and second passport photo, verify that your details have been written into the D.N.I. correctly then sign and fingerprint it and sit down again while another officer authenticates and authorises everything.
• When your name is called again, you'll be able to collect your spanking new D.N.I. Congratulations!

Further information

For up-to-date information (in Spanish) visit the Ministerio del Interior website and their Instructivo de Trámites para Ciudadanos Extranjeros.

Published 20-Dec-2007

bureaucracy | D.N.I. | queues | guide

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