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The Mexican government announced that registration for the Universal Health Service credential will begin in a few weeks. This card will serve to streamline and guarantee access to health services throughout the country. What is it, what does it cover, and when does registration begin? We provide you with all the details, dates, requirements, and information on where you can process it.
With the goal of making health services in Mexico more efficient, the Universal Health Service credential will begin to be used. In one of her recent morning conferences, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that in a few days, Mexicans will be able to register to obtain their new card.
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¿Qué es la credencial del Servicio Universal de Salud?
According to the president, this is an identification that will guarantee the right to health in the Mexican government's public health institutions: the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE), IMSS Bienestar, as well as the health services of the Armed Forces and the National Health Institutes.
¿Para qué sirve la credencial Servicio Universal de Salud?
The credential will serve to access health services and allow doctors to consult your complete medical file (such as your clinical history, medical tests, appointments, prescriptions, address, etc.) in the event you are treated at a different hospital, whether it is an IMSS or ISSSTE facility. Additionally, it will help determine which clinic, hospital, or health center you should visit.
"In any case, our goal is for all Mexicans to be credentialed. How does this credential benefit the citizen? Through its QR code, they will be able to access the health service corresponding to them, and their medical file—which will be created and kept in a fully protected database—will be immediately available along with all relevant personal information. This is essential for the future exchange between health services," Sheinbaum explained during the morning conference.
¿Cuándo empieza el registro para la credencial del Servicio Universal de Salud?
Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that credential registration will take place throughout the year, from March to December, with the goal of ensuring all Mexicans have their Universal Health Service credential.
Registration begins on March 2, 2026, at:
- Baja California Sur
- Campeche
- Hidalgo
- Estado de México
- Michoacán
- Nayarit
- Puebla
- San Luis Potosí
- Sinaloa
- Sonora
- Tabasco
- Tamaulipas
- Tlaxcala
- Yucatán
- Zacatecas.
Starting March 23, Mexicans living in the following areas will be able to register:
- Baja California
- Chiapas
- Ciudad de México
- Colima
- Guerrero
- Morelos
- Oaxaca
- Quintana Roo
- Veracruz
"In the following years, '26, '27, and '28, we are evidently going to strengthen the three main health systems: IMSS, IMSS Bienestar, and ISSSTE. There are states that have not yet joined IMSS Bienestar; in those cases, it is the state health service. Whether to include state health services or simply keep it between ISSSTE and IMSS will depend on each governor," specified Sheinbaum.
It was also detailed that the registration will follow a calendar based on the first letter of the applicant's surname. In the case of minors, they may go on the day that corresponds to their father, mother, or legal guardian.
The procedure will consist of a review of documents, collecting the signature of the data owner's consent, contact information, as well as taking a photograph and fingerprints. Subsequently, six weeks after registration, you will receive a notification via SMS or a call from 079 to pick up the printed credential.
¿Cómo es la credencial del Servicio Universal de Salud?
Undersecretary of Sectoral Integration and Coordination of Medical Care Services, Eduardo Clark García Dobarganes, said the printed version of the Universal Health Service credential will feature: full name, CURP, gender, place and date of birth, nationality, blood type, organ donor status, and two QR codes containing entitlement information and the nearest care unit. Meanwhile, the digital version, available on the App MX starting in April, will contain the institution of entitlement, assigned clinic, and the same information as the physical card.
Requisitos para registrarte y tener la credencial de Servicio Universal de Salud
Secretary of Welfare, Ariadna Montiel Reyes, reported that the necessary documents for registration (which will take place Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) are:
For minors:
- Birth certificate with CURP.
- Proof of address and official identification of the father, mother, or guardian with CURP.
For adults:
- Official identification with photograph and CURP.
- Proof of address.
Authorities have yet to confirm the exact locations where registration for the Universal Health Service credential will be held.
¿Quién puede tramitar la credencial del Servicio Universal de Salud?
All Mexicans will be able to process the Universal Health Service credential, meaning everyone from children to the elderly will be eligible to obtain it.
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