Which documents can Peruvian public offices no longer demand in a procedure?
Since 2016, Decreto Legislativo 1246 bars public bodies from demanding a copy of your DNI, «recent» birth records, notarized signatures without a law requiring them, a copy of your RUC, a proof-of-life certificate or a moving certificate, and stops them from turning you away because your DNI has expired. The document bans bind public bodies, not banks or private companies in general; the expired-DNI rule, however, also mentions commercial and notarial acts.
VerificationPartly verifiedSee the sources ↓
- 13sources cited
- 13read at the official source
- 3official institutions
El Peruano · Congress of Peru · MINAM
Checked 1 Oct 2026Next review 24 Dec 2026
What is still unverifiedWe read Decreto Legislativo 1246 in full in El Peruano (10 November 2016), its annotated SPIJ version printed on 8 June 2017, and Decreto Legislativo 1310, which adjusted it. We found no other amendments, but we could not consult a consolidated text current to 2026 or get El Peruano's search tool to work, so we cannot rule out later changes. The TUO of Ley 27444 we cite is the text published in January 2019; we did not check whether articles 48 and 49 changed afterwards.
The short list
Everything in this table applies to public bodies, within an administrative procedure. In general it does not apply to banks, notaries or companies; the only rule that mentions commercial and notarial acts is the expired-DNI one (article 7).
| Can they ask you for…? | Answer | Where it says so |
|---|---|---|
| A copy of your DNI (national ID) | No | D.L. 1246, art. 5.1(a) |
| A birth or baptism record, if you already showed your DNI | No, unless parentage must be proven and there is no other way | D.L. 1246, art. 5.1(b) |
| A «recent» birth record or death certificate, or one issued within a set period | No, except in procedures in the exercise of parental authority | D.L. 1246, art. 5.1(c); D.L. 1310, 4th FCP |
| A signature notarized (legalizada) | No, unless a specific law requires it | D.L. 1246, art. 5.1(d) |
| A copy of your RUC record or a SUNAT registration certificate | No, except in areas without internet | D.L. 1246, arts. 5.1(e) and 5.2 |
| Proof of good standing from your professional association, if it can be checked on its website | No, except in areas without internet | D.L. 1246, arts. 5.1(f) and 5.2 |
| Any data held in a register that is freely accessible online | No, except in areas without internet | D.L. 1246, arts. 5.1(g) and 5.2 |
| A records certificate, degree, power-of-attorney certificate or property record | You can replace them with a sworn statement while interoperability is not in place | D.L. 1246, art. 3.3 |
| A proof-of-life certificate for a pension | No | D.L. 1246, art. 9 |
| A moving certificate | No | D.L. 1246, art. 10 |
| A valid DNI (they turn you away because it expired) | They can’t refuse you for that, though you must renew it | D.L. 1246, art. 7; D.L. 1310, 4th FCP |
| Payment for the first certified copy of your police report | No: it is free and immediate | D.L. 1246, art. 8 |
| An original or notarized copy | A plain copy with your sworn statement is enough | TUO Ley 27444, art. 49.1.1 |
| From a foreigner, an ID document other than the carné or passport | No | TUO Ley 27444, art. 48.1.5 |
Article by article
Interoperability (articles 2 to 4). Agencies must share with each other, free of charge, the information they hold about you. Article 3.2 names the core information: identity and marital status; criminal, judicial and police records; degrees and titles; powers of attorney and appointed representatives; and ownership of registered property. Article 4 bars them from asking you for what they can get through interoperability. And while that connection is not working, article 3.3 lets you choose: you can replace those documents with a sworn statement (declaración jurada). Decreto Legislativo 1310 clarified that articles 2, 3 and 4 do not apply to the legal entities in numeral 8 of article I of the Preliminary Title of Ley 27444.
Banned documents (article 5). The list in numeral 5.1 runs from a copy of the DNI to «cualquier otro requisito» that is in a register freely accessible online. Numeral 5.2 exempts only items (e), (f) and (g), for agencies in areas without internet. The DNI copy, birth records and notarized signatures have no such exception. We explain these in more detail in DNI photocopies, birth records and notarized signatures.
Expired DNI (article 7). Expiry does not stop you identifying yourself in civil, commercial, administrative, notarial, registry, judicial or police acts. D.L. 1310 added that this does not free you from the duty to renew it. Renewal costs and timing: DNI.
Police report (article 8). The first certified copy is free and handed over immediately, with a record of delivery.
Proof of life (article 9). No one may demand proof-of-life certificates or similar in pension procedures under any system, in other state benefits, or for periodic payments. The agency checks by cross-referencing its list with RENIEC or its own systems. D.L. 1310 removed the sworn statement mentioned in the second paragraph of this article. On 22 September 2026 El Peruano reported that Indecopi’s Commission for the Elimination of Bureaucratic Barriers reminded agencies that demanding this certificate could be an illegal bureaucratic barrier, and that its Technical Secretariat will carry out nationwide inspections on its own initiative. If you are the relative of a pensioner who died, see widow’s and orphan’s pensions.
Moving (article 10). Demanding a moving certificate (certificado de mudanza) or anything similar is banned. To transport furniture in a move, the carrier can only be asked for a sworn statement signed by you with the starting point, the destination and the list of goods. Don’t confuse this with the proof-of-address certificate: that rule is in a different law, explained in proof of address.
Records certificates (article 12). Criminal, judicial and police records certificates can be requested not only by the person concerned but also by their spouse, partner or first-degree blood relatives, with the holder’s authorization in a simple letter. Costs and where to apply: records certificates.
Is it still in force? What we found
We looked for changes after 2016. The only one we found is Decreto Legislativo 1310 (published 30 December 2016), whose Fourth Final Complementary Provision:
- excludes the legal entities in numeral 8 of article I of the Preliminary Title of Ley 27444 from articles 2, 3 and 4;
- says the ban on demanding «recent» birth records or death certificates (article 5.1(c)) does not apply in procedures in the exercise of parental authority;
- clarifies that article 7 does not exempt you from renewing your DNI;
- removes the sworn statement in the second paragraph of article 9.
The annotated SPIJ version printed in June 2017 records only those notes. We found no other law amending or repealing these articles, but we could not consult a consolidated text from 2026. That is why this page is marked partial.
Who it binds and who it doesn’t
Article 1 applies it to «todas las entidades de la Administración Pública comprendidas en el artículo I del Título Preliminar de la Ley N° 27444». So the document bans do not, in general, bind banks, notaries or businesses. The exception is article 7: an expired DNI does not prevent you taking part in civil, commercial or notarial acts, among others. If you want to hand over the copy or certificate anyway, you can: article 48.2 of the TUO of Ley 27444 preserves your right to submit them on your own initiative.
If they demand it anyway
Breaching articles 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 is a disciplinary offense by the employee (Sole Final Complementary Provision). At the counter, cite the article and offer the sworn statement or the plain copy. If they refuse, ask for the refusal in writing, file a complaint in the agency’s complaints book (libro de reclamaciones) and, if needed, complain to the Ombudsman. If the requirement is written into the agency’s TUPA or rules, you can take it to Indecopi as a bureaucratic barrier.
How to file
- Find the requirement in the table and cite the article«Article 5 of Decreto Legislativo 1246 bars you from demanding this.» If it is information the state can look up (identity, criminal records, degrees, powers of attorney, registered property), offer a sworn statement, as article 3.3 allows.
- Offer a plain copy with a sworn statement instead of an original or notarized copyArticle 49.1.1 of the TUO of Ley 27444 requires agencies to accept plain copies with your sworn statement that they are authentic, with the same value as the original.
- If they insist, file a complaint in the agency's complaints bookNote the agency, the date, the time and the requirement they demanded. The complaint leaves a record of the breach.
- Complain to the Ombudsman or take the case to IndecopiThe Defensoría del Pueblo (Ombudsman) takes complaints against public bodies; how to file one is on our Ombudsman page. If the requirement is written into the agency's TUPA or rules, also see how to report it to Indecopi as a bureaucratic barrier.
What people fail to ask in time
They demanded it anyway and refused your procedure. Do you know what you can do against that refusal?
Find out before it matters →What most people believe — and what the law says
Your birth record has to be from the last three months.
Article 5.1(c) of Decreto Legislativo 1246 bars public bodies from demanding birth records or death certificates «emitidas en fecha reciente o dentro de un periodo máximo». Decreto Legislativo 1310 made one exception: procedures in the exercise of parental authority (patria potestad).
With an expired DNI, no office will serve you.
Article 7 says an expired DNI does not prevent civil, commercial, administrative, notarial, registry, judicial or police acts. However, Decreto Legislativo 1310 clarified that it does not exempt you from renewing it.
To collect a pension you must bring a proof-of-life certificate every so often.
Article 9 abolished that requirement for pensions under any system and other state benefits. The agency must check it by cross-referencing its lists with RENIEC or its own systems. Decreto Legislativo 1310 even removed the sworn statement that article 9 had provided for.
You pay for the copy of your police report at Banco de la Nación.
The first certified copy is free and must be handed to you immediately, with a record of delivery (article 8).
Frequently asked questions
Does this also apply to banks, notaries or companies?
In general, no. Article 1 limits the decree to the public administration bodies covered by article I of the Preliminary Title of Ley 27444, so the document bans in article 5 do not bind a bank or a shop. One exception: article 7 says an expired DNI does not prevent taking part in «civiles, comerciales, administrativos, notariales» and other acts, so that rule does mention acts before notaries and in commerce.
Can I still hand over the copy or certificate if I want to?
Yes. Article 48.2 of the TUO of Ley 27444 says these bans «no limitan la facultad del administrado para presentar espontáneamente la documentación mencionada». The ban is on the agency, not on you.
I'm a foreigner. Can they demand an ID document other than my carné or passport?
Article 48.1.5 of the TUO of Ley 27444 bans requests for identity documents other than the DNI and says that foreigners shall only be asked for a «carné de extranjería o pasaporte según corresponda». The ban on demanding a copy of the DNI (article 5.1(a) of D.L. 1246) refers to the DNI and does not name the carné.
What happens to the official who demands it anyway?
The Sole Final Complementary Provision of D.L. 1246 says that breaching articles 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 is a disciplinary offense by the manager or employee, sanctioned under the disciplinary regime of Ley 30057, the Civil Service Law. A complaint leaves a record of the breach.
The exact law
Decreto Legislativo N.º 1246Artículo 1read
Administrative simplification measures — scope
«El presente Decreto Legislativo es de aplicación para todas las entidades de la Administración Pública comprendidas en el artículo I del Título Preliminar de la Ley N° 27444, Ley del Procedimiento Administrativo General.»
↳Artículos 3 (numerales 3.2 y 3.3) y 4read
Administrative simplification measures — interoperability and substitute sworn statement
«En tanto se implemente la interoperabilidad, la información y documentos mencionados en el numeral 3.2 precedente podrán ser sustituidos, a opción del administrado o usuario, por declaración jurada, conforme a lo establecido en la Ley N° 27444, Ley del Procedimiento Administrativo General.»
↳Artículo 5 (numerales 5.1 y 5.2)read
Administrative simplification measures — documents that may not be demanded
«Las entidades de la Administración Pública están prohibidas de exigir a los administrados o usuarios, en el marco de un procedimiento o trámite administrativo, los siguientes documentos:»
↳Artículo 7read
Administrative simplification measures — expired DNI
«El vencimiento de la fecha de vigencia del Documento Nacional de Identidad no constituye impedimento para la participación del ciudadano en actos civiles, comerciales, administrativos, notariales, registrales, judiciales, policiales y, en general, para todos aquellos casos en que deba ser presentado para acreditar su identidad.»
↳Artículo 8read
Administrative simplification measures — first certified copy of a police report is free
«La primera copia certificada de una denuncia policial es gratuita y debe ser emitida y entregada al denunciante de manera inmediata, una vez realizada la denuncia correspondiente, dejándose constancia de la entrega.»
↳Artículo 9read
Administrative simplification measures — proof-of-life certificate abolished
«Elimínese la exigencia del certificado de supervivencia u otras constancias de sobrevivencia en todos los procedimientos o trámites relacionados a las pensiones bajo cualquier régimen, y otras prestaciones económicas a cargo del Estado, así como para el pago periódico de estas.»
↳Artículo 10read
Administrative simplification measures — moving certificate banned
«Se prohíbe exigir el certificado de mudanza domiciliaria u otras constancias de similar naturaleza.»
↳Artículo 12 y Única Disposición Complementaria Finalread
Administrative simplification measures — who may request records certificates, and disciplinary offense for non-compliance
«Constituye falta de carácter disciplinario del directivo o servidor bajo cualquier régimen y modalidad contractual con la entidad de la Administración Pública, el incumplimiento de las disposiciones y plazos establecidos en los artículos 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 y 12 del presente Decreto Legislativo.»
Decreto Legislativo N.º 1310Cuarta Disposición Complementaria Finalread
Further administrative simplification measures — rules for implementing D.L. 1246 (SPIJ text updated to 31 July 2018, published by Congress)
«Lo dispuesto en el artículo 7 del Decreto Legislativo Nº 1246 no exime de la obligación a cargo de los ciudadanos de renovar su Documento Nacional de Identidad. Queda sin efecto la declaración jurada a que hace referencia el segundo párrafo del artículo 9 del Decreto Legislativo Nº 1246.»
Decreto Legislativo N.º 1246 (texto anotado del SPIJ, publicado por el MINAM)Notas a los artículos 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 y 9read
SPIJ printout of 8 June 2017: the only amendment notes point to Decreto Legislativo 1310
«De conformidad con la Cuarta Disposición Complementaria Final del Decreto Legislativo N° 1310, publicado el 30 diciembre 2016, se dispone que la prohibición establecida en el presente literal no es aplicable en los procedimientos en ejercicio de la patria potestad»
Texto Único Ordenado de la Ley N.º 27444 (D.S. N.º 004-2019-JUS)Artículo 48, numerales 48.1.5 y 48.2read
General Administrative Procedure Law — documents that may not be requested
«Documentos de identidad personal distintos al Documento Nacional de Identidad. Asimismo, solo se exigirá para los ciudadanos extranjeros carné de extranjería o pasaporte según corresponda.»
↳Artículo 49, numerales 49.1.1 y 49.1.3read
General Administrative Procedure Law — substitute documents: plain copies and sworn statements
«Copias simples en reemplazo de documentos originales o copias legalizadas notarialmente de tales documentos, acompañadas de declaración jurada del administrado acerca de su autenticidad.»
Nota informativa — Diario Oficial El Peruano (sobre Indecopi)Article of 22 September 2026read
Pensioners can avoid unnecessary procedures: agencies must verify survival by other means
«la Secretaría Técnica de la Comisión de Eliminación de Barreras Burocráticas del Indecopi iniciará acciones de supervisión de oficio a nivel nacional para fiscalizar el cumplimiento de la ley»
Also searched as: can a peruvian office ask for a recent birth certificate · do i need a proof of life certificate to collect my pension in peru · can i do paperwork in peru with an expired dni · what documents can't peruvian government offices ask for · decreto legislativo 1246 what does it ban · do i have to pay for a copy of my police report in peru
Related
Can a public office in Peru demand a photocopy of your DNI?
A public office wants a photocopy of your DNI. Which offices can require one and which cannot.
PaperworkProof of address in Peru: can they demand a certificado domiciliario, or is a sworn statement enough?
A public office wants a certificado domiciliario for your procedure. Do you have to pay for one, or is there another way?
PaperworkHow do you register a birth in Peru and get a certified copy of the birth certificate?
An office wants a birth certificate 'from the last three months'. Does a birth certificate expire, or is that not a real rule?
PaperworkHow do I get criminal, police and judicial records certificates in Peru, and who can demand them?
A municipality or your future employer wants your criminal record. Can they demand it, and what does it cost?
PaperworkWhat does a Peruvian notary certify when you get a signature or copy notarized, and when do you need it?
You are asked for a notarized signature or a notarized copy. What the notary actually certifies, and when you can skip it.
PaperworkHow do you get, renew or replace a Peruvian DNI?
Your DNI expired, you lost it, or your child needs a first one. What each procedure costs and how long the card lasts.
PaperworkHow do I report an illegal bureaucratic barrier to Indecopi?
A municipality or ministry demands something it has no right to. How do you take that to Indecopi, and what do you get?
What this page already lets you do
- Name the rule that protects you
- Copy the exact article and send it
- Follow the steps, in order
What this page does not give you yetWe read Decreto Legislativo 1246 in full in El Peruano (10 November 2016), its annotated SPIJ version printed on 8 June 2017, and Decreto Legislativo 1310, which adjusted it. We found no other amendments, but we could not consult a consolidated text current to 2026 or get El Peruano's search tool to work, so we cannot rule out later changes. The TUO of Ley 27444 we cite is the text published in January 2019; we did not check whether articles 48 and 49 changed afterwards. See the sources ↑