If you need your Guatemalan police or penal background records for a US visa, immigration filing, or any process outside Guatemala, you need to apostille them. The apostille is the international certification that makes a Guatemalan public document legally valid in any country that signed the 1961 Hague Convention (Guatemala joined in 2017). This guide covers the specific process for apostilling background records in 2026.

Quick summary: Apostille online through MINEX at minex-gob-gt.my.site.com/apostilla/s/. Cost is Q 45-60 per document, with online payment available since June 2025. Delivery in 3-5 business days via e-Apostille. Your background records must carry a current digital signature (PNC and CAPE issue them that way by default).

Do You Need an Apostille?

Where you’ll use the recordApostille needed?
Employment inside GuatemalaNo
Internal procedure (license, DIGECAM, tender)No
Visa or residency in another countryYes
Employment abroadYes
Immigration in USA, Canada, Europe, MexicoYes
Consular processes for use back in GuatemalaUsually no

If the record is for use inside Guatemala, the digitally signed PDF from PNC or OJ is sufficient.

The MINEX Portal (New System)

Since April 9, 2024, MINEX runs a new electronic apostille portal:

The new portal supports online payment since June 2025 and a 100% remote workflow. You do not have to visit MINEX in person.

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1 — Secure Your Base Certificate

Your background records need a valid electronic signature:

Important: the apostille does NOT extend validity. If the certificate expires in 6 months, the apostilled version expires in 6 months too.

Step 2 — Submit the Document to MINEX

Go to minex-gob-gt.my.site.com/apostilla/s/ and start your request. The system automatically validates the electronic signature on your base document.

Step 3 — Pay the Fee

ItemCost
MINEX apostille (per document)Q 45 - Q 60
Online paymentAvailable (since June 2025)

If you are apostilling both the police record and the penal record, that’s two separate apostille requests (~Q 90-120 total).

Step 4 — Receive the Apostilled Document

The system issues the e-Apostille in 3 to 5 business days. You receive a PDF carrying the MINEX apostille seal that can be verified internationally under the Hague Convention.

Real Total Cost

For someone who needs both documents apostilled for a visa:

ItemCost
PNC Police RecordQ 30
OJ Penal Record (CAPE)Check CAPE portal for current rate
MINEX apostille — policeQ 45-60
MINEX apostille — penalQ 45-60
Approximate totalQ 120 - Q 150

If the destination country needs a certified translation, add Q 150-500 per document.

Common Mistakes

  • Apostilling old paper-signed records — only digitally signed certificates are accepted directly. Older paper certificates require prior authentication.
  • Apostilling too early — apostille does not extend validity. Apostille close to the date you’ll submit the documents.
  • Skipping the certified translation — non-Spanish-speaking countries (USA, Canada, Germany, etc.) typically require a certified translation of both the document AND the apostille.
  • Confusing apostille with consular legalization — apostille is for Hague Convention countries. Non-Hague countries still require the traditional consular legalization chain, not apostille.
  • Thinking the consulate abroad can apostille — no. Guatemalan consulates abroad do NOT apostille Guatemalan documents. Only MINEX in Guatemala issues the apostille.

From Outside Guatemala

If you are abroad, the entire flow is online:

  1. Pull PNC and OJ records from their portals (you need a Guatemalan DPI)
  2. Submit the apostille request through the MINEX portal
  3. If you need a physical apostilled copy, arrange international shipping or work with a representative in Guatemala

Full guide: Get Guatemalan Background Records From the USA.