Consulate General in Guangzhou

What is the DNI?

The National Identity Document (DNI) (Documento Nacional de Identidad), traditionally known as the Identity Card (Cédula de Identidad), is the official document issued in Uruguay to establish the identity of its holder. It is issued to Uruguayan nationals, legal citizens and foreign nationals who meet the corresponding requirements.

The DNI contains the holder’s identifying information and assigns them a unique identification number. It may be used to establish the holder’s identity before public agencies and private entities, complete procedures and access a variety of services.

To be used, the DNI must be valid, in good condition and legible, and its photograph must allow the holder to be clearly recognized. If it has expired, been damaged, lost or stolen, or if the holder’s identifying information has changed, it must be renewed.

If you wish to renew your DNI in Uruguay, please consult the applicable requirements and procedures on the website of the National Directorate of Civil Identification (Dirección Nacional de Identificación Civil – DNIC) by clicking here.

DNI renewal abroad

Uruguayan consulates may only process DNI renewals for persons born in Uruguay, children and grandchildren of Uruguayans born abroad, and legal citizens.

The procedure is personal and must be completed in person. It generally requires an appointment to be arranged in advance with the consulate having jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence, which may be identified through the Consular Map (Mapa Consular).

Important note: Both the first-time issuance and renewal of a DNI for permanent residents must be completed in person in Uruguay before an office of the National Directorate of Civil Identification (Dirección Nacional de Identificación Civil – DNIC). For further information on these or other circumstances involving the issuance or renewal of a DNI in Uruguay, please visit the DNIC website.

Who may complete this procedure before a consulate?

• Natural-born Uruguayan citizens, meaning persons born within Uruguayan territory.
• Uruguayan nationals born abroad whose mother and/or father is Uruguayan, pursuant to Law No. 16,021.
• Uruguayan nationals born abroad whose grandmother and/or grandfather is Uruguayan, pursuant to Law No. 19,362.
• Uruguayan legal citizens.

If applicable, and you wish to renew your DNI before the Consulate General of Uruguay in Guangzhou, the specific requirements are as follows:

• Adults who are natural-born Uruguayan citizens or Uruguayan nationals:

  • The National Identity Document (DNI) (Identity Card – Cédula de Identidad) to be renewed, regardless of its validity or condition.
  • If the document was lost or stolen, a police report filed with the local police.
  • Application form, provided upon request by email.

• Uruguayan legal citizens: 

  • The National Identity Document (DNI) (Identity Card – Cédula de Identidad) to be renewed, regardless of its validity or condition.
  • If the document was lost or stolen, a police report filed with the local police.
  • Citizenship Certificate (Carta de Ciudadanía) issued by the Electoral Court (Corte Electoral).
  • Civic Credential (Credencial Cívica), when more than three years have elapsed since the corresponding Citizenship Certificate (Carta de Ciudadanía) was granted.
  • A certified copy of the birth record as registered with the General Directorate of the Civil Status Registry (Dirección General del Registro de Estado Civil).
  • An Affidavit stating that the applicant has not acquired a third citizenship (Declaración Jurada de no haber adquirido una tercera ciudadanía), in the case of persons residing abroad. This document is prepared in coordination with the Consulate General and signed in person when the procedure is completed.
  • Application form, available for download at the end of this page.

• Minors: 

  • The National Identity Document (DNI) (Identity Card – Cédula de Identidad) to be renewed, regardless of its validity or condition.
  • A current certified copy of the Uruguayan birth record, issued within the previous 30 days.
  • If the document was lost or stolen, a police report filed with the local police.
  • Application form, available for download at the end of this page.

Important note: Persons under 18 years of age are considered minors. In these cases, the minor must appear accompanied by at least one parent exercising parental authority or, where applicable, by their guardian or legal representative, who must provide the corresponding authorization in person. Parentage must be established through a certified copy of the minor’s birth record. The parent, guardian or legal representative appearing for the procedure must also present a valid Uruguayan or foreign identity document.

How is the procedure completed?

1. Complete the application form available for download at the end of this page.
2. Gather the required documentation applicable to your circumstances.
3. Request an appointment by email and attach the duly completed application form and digital copies of the corresponding documentation.
4. The Consulate will review the documentation and inform you whether any corrections, additional documents or translations are required. Once the requirements have been verified, the date and time of the appointment will be assigned.
5. Appear in person on the assigned date and at the assigned time, bringing all original documentation.

Cost

USD 18, payable in Chinese yuan (RMB). The amount payable in local currency will be determined according to the exchange rate in effect at the time the procedure is completed. Payment must be made by bank deposit using the account details provided on the day of the appointment.

Delivery time

The procedure is initiated at the Consulate, while the corresponding verification and printing processes continue in Uruguay. Processing and delivery times may therefore vary. If the procedure is completed without observations or complications, the National Identity Document (DNI) (Identity Card – Cédula de Identidad) is usually available for collection at the Consulate between 30 and 45 days after the application is initiated. 

Once the DNI has been received by the Consulate from Uruguay, the interested person will be notified by email and must appear in person to collect it.