A DPI certification (certificación del DPI) is a RENAP document that certifies the identity data RENAP already holds for you. It is not a new physical DPI card. If your card was lost or stolen, read Replace Lost or Stolen DPI From the USA instead. This guide covers only what RENAP and RENAP’s tariff say about the certification. It also lists what this page could not verify for applicants in the United States.
Quick summary
| Item | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A document that officially backs your previously captured data, with legal validity before any institution | RENAP article, modified May 28, 2026 |
| Evidentiary value | Contains validated information and has evidentiary value | RENAP article |
| Channels | Online, or in person at any RENAP office | RENAP article |
| Validity | Six months from issuance | RENAP article |
| Tariff line | Certificación del Documento Personal de Identificación, Q75.00 | RENAP tariff |
| Card payment | 25% surcharge on electronic payment by debit or credit card (Art. 7) | RENAP tariff |
| Requests from abroad | US$1.00 for each Q1.00, with named exceptions (Art. 8) | RENAP tariff |
| Decimals | Rounded up to the next whole number (Art. 9) | RENAP tariff |
| Total charged from the USA | Not verified | — |
| Available at US consulates | Not verified | — |
What RENAP says the certification is
RENAP explains the certification in a news article on its website, last modified May 28, 2026. The article says the certification is the document that officially backs the data RENAP previously captured, “otorgándoles validez legal ante cualquier institución” (giving that data legal validity before any institution).
RENAP adds that the certification contains validated information and “tiene valor probatorio” (has evidentiary value).
In short, the certification is RENAP’s formal statement of what it has on record for your identity.
Certification vs. the physical DPI card
| DPI certification | Physical DPI card | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A certified document backing the identity data RENAP already captured (RENAP) | The physical card itself; replacing it is a separate procedure |
| Channel named by RENAP | Online or in person at any RENAP office | See the replacement guide |
| Validity | Six months from issuance (RENAP) | Not covered on this page |
| Tariff line | Q75.00 (RENAP tariff) | Not covered on this page |
If you need the card itself, use the replacement guide. See also DPI from the USA. If you only need to look up a CUI, see CUI and NIT lookup.
How to request it
RENAP says the certification “puede solicitarse en línea o de manera presencial en cualquier oficina del RENAP” (can be requested online or in person at any RENAP office).
RENAP’s tariff also covers RENAP services requested from abroad. Article 8 refers to requests made in person at Guatemala’s embassies and consulates, “así como por medio electrónico” (as well as by electronic means).
The sources behind this page do not verify the following for applicants in the United States:
- whether the online channel accepts applicants located in the USA;
- whether Guatemalan consulates in the USA issue the DPI certification;
- which payment methods are accepted;
- the document checklist;
- how long RENAP takes to issue it.
Because none of these is verified, this page gives no step-by-step checkout instructions. For RENAP’s online appointment system, see RENAP ePortal appointment booking. If you plan to ask a consulate whether it offers this service, you can find your consulate.
What the RENAP tariff says about the fee
RENAP’s tariff PDF lists its sources as Acuerdos de Directorio 15-2020, 26-2020, 35-2020, 12-2021 and 62-2022. These are the relevant clauses:
| Clause | Text (original Spanish) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Tariff line | “Certificación del Documento Personal de Identificación Q75.00” | The listed price of the certification |
| Art. 7 | “tendrá un costo adicional del 25%” | Applies to services paid electronically by debit or credit card, as a bank-processing surcharge |
| Art. 8 | “a razón de un dólar de los Estados Unidos de América” / “(US$1.00) por cada quetzal (Q1.00)” | The rate for RENAP services requested abroad |
| Art. 9 | “aproximarán al número entero superior” | Amounts with decimals are rounded up to the next whole number |
The exceptions in Article 8 name birth certificate requests and DPI issuance abroad. The text does not name the DPI certification as an exception.
This page does not state a dollar total. The clauses above are the published rules. The research behind this page did not verify the amount the online checkout actually charges a US-based applicant. It also did not confirm any tariff amendment after 62-2022. Before you pay, check the total RENAP shows you.
Plan around the six-month validity
RENAP says the certification “tiene una vigencia de seis meses a partir de su emisión” (is valid for six months from its issuance). RENAP advises keeping this period in mind when you use the document.
If you need the certification for a specific filing, request it close to the date you will submit it. RENAP’s article does not say what happens once the six months have passed.
If you will submit it to USCIS
This section applies only if you attach the certification to a USCIS benefit request. This page does not identify any USCIS form that requires a DPI certification.
The USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 1, Part E, Chapter 6 (dated October 2, 2026) sets three rules for any document containing a foreign language:
- Full translation. USCIS says such a document “must be accompanied by a full English language translation”.
- Translator certification. USCIS says the translator must certify that the translation is complete and accurate, and that they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English.
- No summaries. USCIS says “A summary of a document prepared by a translator is unacceptable”.
What this page does not cover
The following were not verified by this page’s sources:
- Apostille. RENAP’s article does not mention an apostille, and no apostille requirement was found for this procedure. Ask the institution that will receive the document. For background on apostilles, see apostille from the USA and MINEX apostille.
- Acceptance as physical ID by US agencies. Not stated.
- What happens after the six months. Not stated.
Related RENAP document: birth certificate (certificación de nacimiento).
Sources: RENAP, Certificación del DPI: qué es (modified May 28, 2026); RENAP tariff (Acuerdos de Directorio 15-2020, 26-2020, 35-2020, 12-2021, 62-2022); USCIS Policy Manual Vol. 1, Part E, Ch. 6. All retrieved October 15, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a DPI certification?
RENAP describes the DPI certification as the document that officially backs the identity data it has already captured, and says this gives that data legal validity before any institution. RENAP also says the certification contains validated information and has evidentiary value. It is a document about your registered data. It is not a new DPI card.
Does a DPI certification replace my lost or stolen DPI card?
None of this page’s sources says the certification replaces the card. RENAP describes the certification as a document that backs data already captured. Replacing the physical card is a separate procedure, and this site covers it in its guide to replacing a lost DPI from the USA.
Can I request a DPI certification online from the United States?
RENAP says you can request the certification online or in person at any RENAP office. RENAP’s tariff also covers services requested from abroad by electronic means. This page has not verified three things: whether the online checkout accepts applicants in the USA, whether Guatemalan consulates in the USA issue the certification, and which payment methods work.
How much does a DPI certification cost?
RENAP’s tariff lists the Certificación del Documento Personal de Identificación at Q75.00. Article 7 of the tariff adds 25% when you pay electronically with a debit or credit card. Article 8 sets a rate of US$1.00 for each Q1.00 for RENAP services requested abroad, with named exceptions. Article 9 rounds amounts with decimals up to the next whole number. This page has not verified the total charged at checkout from the USA, so it does not state a dollar figure.
How long is a DPI certification valid?
RENAP says the certification is valid for six months from the date it is issued. RENAP’s article does not say what happens after that period ends.
Do I need an English translation to give it to USCIS?
This applies only if you submit the certification in support of a USCIS benefit request. In that case, the USCIS Policy Manual says any document containing a foreign language must come with a full English translation. The translator must certify that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate into English. USCIS does not accept a summary. This page does not identify any USCIS form that requires a DPI certification.
Does the DPI certification need an apostille?
RENAP’s article on the certification does not mention an apostille, and this page’s research found no apostille requirement for this procedure. Before you send the document, ask the institution that will receive it whether it needs one.
How long does RENAP take to issue the certification?
This page has not verified an issue time. We could not verify a turnaround time for the DPI certification.
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