Mechanisms for Accessing Legal Identity for Migrants in Central America, Mexico and the Dominican Republic

Access to legal identity is an essential aspect of safe, orderly and regular migration. Elements that certify legal identity include registration of birth and other vital events, national identity documents, travel documents, among others. These documents are, in turn, indispensable for different processes of regularization and civil registration for migrants in destination countries. However, there are millions of people in the world who do not have legal identity documents recognized by any competent government agency.

This regional study examines the mechanisms of access to legal identity for migrants in Central America, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Through a mixed methodology that included desk review, interviews with key stakeholders and a participatory workshop with government representatives from the region, three types of systems through which people access legal identity documents are analysed: the civil registry and identity management system in countries of origin of migrants, the legal identity management system in relation to regularization processes and access to civil registry for migrants, and the system of assistance available to migrants through consular representations of their countries of origin in destination countries.

The report identifies both needs and good practices in the region providing a list of actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening local legislation, public policies, regional agreements and procedures that guarantee access to legal identity for all persons.