In a major step toward modernization, El Salvador’s National Registry of Natural Persons (RNPN) has launched a new, 24/7 digital platform enabling citizens to renew or replace their Unique Identity Document (DUI) entirely online. Accessible via dui.sv, this service allows Salvadorans residing both in El Salvador and the United States to complete the process using their smartphones or tablets, bypassing the need to visit an office or consulate initially.
The digital portal features advanced facial biometric verification to secure applicant identity before processing payments. During the online application, users can update vital details—such as address, phone number, and emergency contacts—and even take their new document photograph. For Salvadorans living in the US, the final physical document will be shipped directly to their home address using the DUI Express delivery service.
This digital shift comes ahead of a massive wave of document expirations, with 1.6 million DUIs set to expire between January 2026 and March 2027. RNPN National Registrar Fernando Velasco emphasized that the platform is designed to slash wait times and streamline identity services, noting that the tool “seeks to facilitate access to the service” during this peak period. Additionally, Velasco highlighted that renewals will be completely free for those whose documents expire between November 29, 2026, and February 28, 2027.
The cost for the online process remains the same as standard rates: $10.31 for residents within El Salvador and $55 for those in the United States, a fee that conveniently includes both the document’s production and direct home shipping.