DNI: What does the last digit of the identity document mean and what is it for?

The National Identity Document (DNI) is the official document for Peruvians to identify themselves within their country and within it there are different numbers and codes that generate a lot of curiosity in people. This is the case of the digit at the end of the DNI number, to which many people assign certain functions but here you get we will reveal its meaning, value and importance.

Theories have been created on social networks about the function of this digit that is located exactly on the upper right side (front) of the DNI. To make you better located, let's take as an example that the number of your document is 12131415, next to the number you will find a “- 2″ (hyphen and digit). This number has been assigned various responsibilities and one of the most mentioned is that it would be about the number of homonyms that a person has in the country; however, that is completely false.

MEANING OF THE ADDITIONAL DIGIT TO THE DNI

Faced with the doubts expressed through social networks, the National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (Reniec) decided to respond to all users who were confused by that digit.

That number that is almost isolated, is nothing more than a verification code and is assigned only internally, that is to say within the entity, Reniec said. Therefore, those versions where it was stated that it was about the amount of homonymy were left aside, since it is not true.

IMPORTANCE OF THE ADDITIONAL DIGIT TO THE DNI

This digit has become more important in recent years and this has occurred with the onset of the pandemic. That doesn't mean it wasn't used before. However, when the lockdown of all residents of the country was implemented, many public and private entities enabled web platforms to carry out the procedures online. In order to avoid identity theft or any unlawful act when carrying out web procedures, the DNI data is requested and the additional digit is one of them.

Prior to the pandemic, it was used to carry out procedures in embassies.

WHAT IS A NAMESAKE?

A namesake is a person or a thing, which, with respect to another, has the same name. according to the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE). Transferring it to the Reniec, a namesake would be that person who has the same name as another.

HOW DO I KNOW HOW MANY HOMONYMS I HAVE?

At the global level it is not possible to know, but at the national level it is. So, if you want to know how many people you share your first and last name with, you can request it through Reniec and for that you must follow the steps below.

1. Make the payment of S/ 10.20 at the Banco de la Nación in person. For this you must present your ID card physically. The document is delivered immediately and is valid for one month.

The name of the document is as follows: Certificate of Equal Names.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DNI

The Government of Peru, through Reniec, announced that all expired ID cards are valid until March 31 of this year. This is due to the high demand for formalities that the state entity has.

“The National Registry of Identification and Civil Status - RENIEC informs citizens that, by Resolution No. 000230-2021/JNAC/RENIEC, published on December 29, 2021, it extended the validity of expired DNI until March 31 of this year,” the document reads.

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