What documents do you need for a Puerto Rico medical cannabis permit?
Updated August 2026
The Puerto Rico medical cannabis tourist permit application requires a valid government-issued ID, a clear selfie, and a qualifying medical condition under Act 42-2017. No in-person appointment, no prior medical records required, and no Puerto Rico residency. This page lists exactly what you need before you start the online form. MedCardPR is an application and coordination service; the official permit is issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Health, not by us.
Contents
What documents does the tourist permit application require?
Three things: a valid, unexpired government-issued ID confirming US citizenship and identity (a passport, US state driver's license, or REAL ID), a clear selfie for identity verification, and a qualifying medical condition under Puerto Rico's Act 42-2017. No medical records are required to start. The independent physician can evaluate your qualifying condition during the application.
Everything is submitted through the secure online form. The application takes about five minutes and can be completed entirely from your phone. No office visit and no mailed documents.
What types of ID are accepted?
A valid, unexpired US passport, US state driver's license, or REAL ID is accepted. The document must confirm US citizenship and identity. Expired IDs are not accepted, and non-US passports do not satisfy the US-citizen requirement for the tourist permit.
The independent physician's office verifies your identity against the ID you provide. Use the same name across your application and your ID to avoid delays.
| ID type | Accepted |
|---|---|
| US passport (not expired) | Yes |
| US state driver's license (not expired) | Yes |
| REAL ID (not expired) | Yes |
| Foreign (non-US) passport | No — US citizenship required |
| Expired ID of any type | No |
What are the selfie requirements?
A clear, recent selfie is required for identity verification. Provide a well-lit photo of your face looking directly at the camera, with no obstructions. The physician's office uses it to match you to your government ID. Your selfie is stored in a private server accessed only via short-lived signed links.
The online form guides you through uploading the selfie. You can take it directly on your phone at the time of application. It does not need to be a professional photograph — just clear and well-lit.
Do you need medical records to apply?
No. You do not need to upload medical records to apply for the tourist permit. The independent Puerto Rico-licensed physician evaluates your qualifying condition as part of the application review. Most applicants complete the application without records. If the physician requests additional information during review, you will be contacted.
This is one of the most common questions visitors ask before applying. The short answer: start the application without records. They are not required upfront.
Is your Social Security Number required, and how is it protected?
Yes. The Puerto Rico Department of Health requires your Social Security Number to issue the permit. MedCardPR encrypts it with AES-256 before writing it to the database. Neither MedCardPR nor its hosting provider can read your SSN without the encryption key, and no human sees your full SSN at any point during processing.
Your SSN is used solely for the government permitting process and is never shared with third parties. For complete details, see the privacy policy.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Puerto Rico residency to apply?
No. The tourist permit is specifically for US-citizen visitors to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico residency, a local address, and any Puerto Rico-issued ID are not required.
Can I use a foreign passport?
No. The 30-day tourist permit is for US citizens. A valid US passport, US state driver's license, or REAL ID is required to confirm US citizenship.
Do I need to upload anything beyond my ID and selfie?
No. The application requires a valid government ID and a selfie. Medical records are not required. The independent physician evaluates your qualifying condition during review.
What if the name on my application does not match my ID?
If identifying information on your application does not match your ID, the review may be delayed or the application may not be approved. Use the same name across both.
Is there an in-person document submission step?
No. The entire process is online. You upload your ID and selfie through the secure form. There is no office visit.
Why does the application need my Social Security Number?
The Puerto Rico Department of Health requires it to issue the permit. MedCardPR encrypts it with AES-256 before storage; no human sees your full SSN during processing.
Ready for your 30-day visitor permit?
Flat $99.99 all-in · about 5 minutes from your phone · typically reviewed within the hour.
Apply for your 30-day visitor permit →Educational information only, current as of August 2026. MedCardPR is an application and coordination service operated by AZ Capital Holdings LLC, not a healthcare provider, dispensary, or pharmacy. We do not sell, dispense, or deliver cannabis and make no medical claims. Medical evaluations are performed by independent licensed physicians. Official permits are issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Health under Act 42-2017. Cannabis is not legal for recreational use in Puerto Rico and remains illegal under US federal law.