Starting February 18, 2024, the Mexican government has officially announced that both physical and electronic professional certificates will no longer be recognized as valid forms of official identification. This decision was made public by the Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) through an announcement in the Federal Official Gazette, emphasizing that the CURP (Unique Population Registry Code) will now serve as the universally accepted identification document across Mexico. The announcement aims to streamline identification practices within various sectors of society.

The official communication specifies that professional certificates, issued by the General Directorate of Professions, are not to be treated as identification documents anymore. It further mandates that authorities across all fields must comply with this new guideline, underlining a significant shift in how professional credentials are perceived in terms of legal identification. This change comes as part of a broader initiative to reduce the variety of documents required for identification and simplify processes in governmental and professional interactions.

This decision has profound implications for professionals in Mexico who have relied on their certificates for identification purposes in various administrative and professional settings. The endorsement of the CURP as the singular, official identification could potentially lead to greater uniformity across systems; however, it also raises questions regarding the accessibility and implementation of the CURP as a sole identification standard. Furthermore, individuals may need to reassess their use of professional documents in contexts where identification is strictly required, prompting the need for greater public awareness and adaptation to these changes.