ADRES certificate: why it doesn't exist and who does issue it

They asked for it at work, when registering for school, or at an office, and you've spent half an hour looking for the download button. The short answer is that the button doesn't exist. ADRES certificate ADRES doesn't issue it: the entity itself clarifies this on its website. What you can get for free, in two minutes, is a consultation that tells you which EPS (Health Promoting Entity) you're affiliated with. Here's what it provides, its coverage, and who signs the document they're asking for.

Does the ADRES certificate exist?

No. The entity states this explicitly on its official website: "The Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the Administrator of Resources of the General System of Social Security in Health (ADRES) do not issue certifications because the Health Promoting Entities (EPS) are responsible for providing proof of affiliation." What ADRES offers is a free consultation of your affiliation status, not a certified document.

That's why so many people are going around in circles: they search for "certificate" and find a query screen. The certificate is signed by another entity, and further down it says which one.

So what does the ADRES portal offer you?

A query to the Single Affiliation Database (BDUA) will display your health insurance plan (contributory or subsidized), the EPS (Health Promoting Entity) that has you registered, and the status of your affiliation. According to the information published by the entity, this service is free and available 24 hours a day.

Pay attention to what that screen means. ADRES warns, in the same query, that it "validates and reflects in its query the affiliation information reported by the EPSs (Health Promoting Entities)." It is not the original source of the data: it is a reflection of what your EPS reported. If they reported late or incorrectly, the screen will show you exactly that.

The query also includes its own cutoff date, which almost no one checks. On August 7, 2026, when we checked, it said "Update date: August 7, 2026." If the result doesn't match something recent, that line explains it.

How do I do the consultation step by step?

1. Enter the ADRES membership inquiry.
2. I chose the type of document. The form accepts 14 options, not just ID card: also civil registry, foreigner's ID card, passport, safe-conduct pass, and temporary protection permit.
3. I wrote the number without periods or commas.
4. Check the box "I'm not a robot".
5. Check it out. The plan, the EPS (Health Promoting Entity), and the status of your affiliation will be displayed.
6. If you need to save it, print it from your browser and save it as a PDF. That's a formatted screenshot, not a certificate.

The detailed step-by-step instructions, explaining the meaning of each field in the result, are provided separately in the guide. EPS consultation at ADRES.

Who issues the certificate they are asking for?

Your EPS (Health Promoting Entity). The ADRES (Administrator of Resources of the General System of Social Security in Health) clarifies this: EPSs "are responsible for providing proof of affiliation." If you are asked for a health insurance affiliation certificate during a job interview, enrollment, or other procedure, the valid document comes from the EPS listed in the consultation, either through their website, app, or service point.

This creates a system that saves a whole day: you can check your current EPS (health insurance provider) for free on the ADRES website, and with that information, you know who to ask for the certificate. The most expensive mistake we see is requesting it from the EPS you were with three jobs ago.

What if you appear as not affiliated or with another EPS (Health Promoting Entity)?

This happens frequently, and it's almost always an outdated report. The complaint should be filed with the EPS (Health Promoting Entity) and not ADRES (Administrator of Resources of the General System of Social Security in Health), because ADRES only reflects what they've been told. If it says you're not affiliated and you know you are, ask your EPS to correct the report to the BDUA (National Database of Affiliates).

If you were truly left out, the solution isn't the certificate but re-enrolling, and that's what the [unclear] is for. subsidized health insurance system, which doesn't charge contributions. And a warning we always repeat: no one should charge you for this consultation or for "expediting" a certificate. If someone asks you for money, check how the [unclear] works. subsidy scams.

Which document do you need for each procedure?

Three documents are often confused because they all mention something about "what you're registered for." They aren't issued by the same entity, nor do they serve the same purpose. If the one they're asking for is the Sisbén document, that one can be downloaded, and we explain how to do that in [link/section/etc.]. How to obtain the Sisbén certificate.

Sources: Clarification published by ADRES on its official affiliation consultation portal and the official Sisbén portal. Verified on August 7, 2026.

Common mistakes when searching for the ADRES certificate

• Paying a website that promises to "download your ADRES certificate instantly" is a mistake. The official consultation is free, and ADRES does not charge for a certificate it doesn't issue.
• Bring the screenshot of the consultation as if it were the certification. In many cases, they return it because the valid supporting document is signed by the EPS (Health Promoting Entity).
• Request the certificate from your old EPS (health insurance provider). First, check which one has you registered with them and request it from them.

What does this have to do with decent housing?

In the neighborhoods where we work, we always see the same scene: a family loses a day's wages standing in line for a document they could get online, or pays out of pocket for a doctor's appointment even though they're enrolled in the health insurance plan without realizing it. That money rarely comes back, and often it was their savings for the down payment. Knowing which health insurance plan you belong to protects the money that later makes a future home possible. decent housing.

Frequently asked questions about the ADRES certificate

Does ADRES issue a certificate of affiliation?

No. The entity clarifies on its website that neither the Ministry of Health nor ADRES issues certifications, because the EPSs (Health Promoting Entities) are responsible for providing proof of affiliation. What it offers is a free affiliation consultation.

So how do I get my EPS certificate?

Through your EPS's channels. First, check for free on the ADRES portal which one has you reported, and request it on the website, the app, or at that EPS's service point.

Does the ADRES consultation have a cost?

No. According to the procedure published by the entity, it is completely free and available 24 hours a day.

Can I check the membership status of a minor?

Yes. The form accepts civil registry documents, identity cards, and live birth certificates, as well as documents for migrant populations such as temporary protection permits.

Was this what was previously consulted at Fosyga?

Yes. Fosyga was abolished in 2017 and ADRES assumed its functions. We explain it in full in What happened to Fosyga and ADRES?.

How Hepacom accompanies you

At the Hechos Para la Comunidad Foundation, we work for the right to decent housing, and that right rests on things that seem small: knowing what paperwork is needed and who to ask for it from. We support families so they don't waste time or money on procedures that are already their responsibility.

If you are supporting a family through this and have any questions, please write to us at donaciones@hepacom.org or by our contact page.

Last updated: August 2026. ADRES' clarification on certifications was verified on August 7, 2026 in its official EPS consultation portal.

Information guide. The process is handled by the official entity. Verify your affiliation through the official ADRES channel and request the certificate directly from your EPS (Health Promoting Entity). Hepacom does not charge fees or process payments.