DIGECAM Firearm Carry License Renewal Guatemala 2026: Every 2 Years, Q190

The firearm carry license renewal is a mandatory procedure that must be done every 2 years at DIGECAM (Direccion General de Control de Armas y Municiones, the firearms control directorate under the Ministry of National Defense). It costs Q190 — less than half the first-license fee — and is delivered in 15 to 30 business days. You do NOT need to repeat the psychological exam or the theory-plus-practical course, as long as you renew within validity or within 6 months after expiration.

Quick summary: Hybrid procedure (online plus in person). Cost Q190. Time: 15-30 business days. Validity: 2 additional years. No additional exams if you renew on time. Start 45-60 days before expiration. An expired license = carrying = crime (LAM Art. 122, 4-6 years prison).

Why Timely Renewal Matters

Unlike other procedures where a delay only means a fine, carrying with an expired license carries the same penalty as carrying without one: 4 to 6 years imprisonment with no substitute measure (LAM Art. 122). There is no intermediate fine and no legal grace period — the day after expiration, if you are stopped at a checkpoint with your firearm, you go in custody.

Hence the rule of thumb: schedule your renewal 45-60 days before expiration. This buffer lets you handle:

• Background checks that come back with errors
• A DPI you may need to renew first
• DIGECAM appointments that slip
• Bank payments that are slow to register
• System errors

DIGECAM allows you to start renewal 60 days before expiration. The new license keeps the same number, the same registered firearms, and adds 2 years of validity from the issue date.

Who Can Renew

• Holders with a current license — normal Q190 process
• Holders expired up to 6 months — normal Q190 process plus a Q100 administrative late-filing fee
• Holders expired more than 6 months — DIGECAM treats it as first license: new exams plus Q400, not Q190

Not eligible to renew:

• People who picked up a criminal conviction for an intentional offense during the prior cycle
• People with an active restraining order or protective measure for violence
• People with an open criminal case for an intentional offense
• People reported for carrying in a prohibited place (Art. 95) during the prior cycle — DIGECAM evaluates case by case

Requirements

Basic documents

• Previous license (physical card, original) — current or expired less than 6 months ago
• Current DPI (original plus 2 photocopies of front and back)
• 2 cedula-size photos (color, white background, recent)
• Antecedentes Penales issued in the last 6 months
• Antecedentes Policiacos issued in the last 6 months
• Q190 payment receipt from an authorized bank
• NIT proof for invoice issuance — see how to get a NIT

What you do NOT need (vs. the first license)

• NO psych exam required (unless your license has been expired more than 6 months)
• NO theory plus practical course (unless this is a reactivation after 6 months)
• NO advanced course documentation (not required for renewal)

Step by Step

Stage 1 — Check the expiration date

1. Look at your current license card. The expiration date is printed on the front. If you have less than 60 days left, you can start now. If more, mark the date in your calendar and come back later.

2. Make sure your DPI does not expire before the new license. If your DPI expires within 2 years, renew it first — DIGECAM ties the license validity to the DPI’s.

Stage 2 — Refresh background checks

3. Pull the criminal and police background checks. Both online (Q50 plus Q25). Valid for 6 months; line them up with your DIGECAM appointment so they do not expire before pickup.

4. If you have a new criminal case, check before continuing. Any complaint, conviction, or court measure added in the last 2 years can disqualify you. Better to consult a lawyer before spending Q190 that you will be denied.

Stage 3 — Pay and book online

5. Pay the Q190 at an authorized bank (BANRURAL, Banco Industrial, G&T Continental).

6. Book your appointment at digecam.mil.gt/citas. Select “Renovacion de Licencia de Portacion” and choose a location.

7. Upload digitized documents if your location allows it (Guatemala City accepts pre-loading; regional offices may require physical submission only).

Stage 4 — In-person DIGECAM visit

8. Show up with all originals: previous license, DPI, background checks, payment receipt, photos.

9. Biometric verification. DIGECAM compares your current fingerprints and photo with the original file. Not a new registration, just verification.

10. Submit documents and sign the renewal record.

Stage 5 — Pick up the new license

11. DIGECAM reviews the file for 10-25 business days (queries to PNC, Public Ministry, Judicial Branch).

12. You receive notification that the new license is ready. Pickup is in person.

13. Pick up the new license with your DPI and original payment receipt. They give you the new card and pull the old one (perforating it or canceling it).

Cost and Time

Common Mistakes

• Waiting until the last day. If your DIGECAM appointment slips or your payment does not register, you end up with an expired license. Renew 45-60 days early.
• Pulling background checks too soon. They expire after 6 months; if you pulled them 4 months early and the DIGECAM appointment slips to month 7, you have to pay and re-pull.
• Renewing with a DPI that is about to expire. DIGECAM ties the license validity to the DPI — if your DPI expires in 14 months, your new license is valid only 14 months (not 24). Renew the DPI first.
• Forgetting the old license. Without the previous card, DIGECAM treats the procedure as a replacement (different cost and process). Even if it is expired, bring it.
• Trying to renew after 6 months expired. The system rejects it and forces you to go through first-license again (Q400 plus exams). If you missed the window, plan for the full cost.
• Assuming the renewal includes an address change. They are separate procedures. If you moved, notify the change separately within 30 days of moving.

Ongoing Legal Duties

Renewal does not change the holder’s duties. While you hold a valid license you remain subject to:

Safe storage (Art. 65 LAM)

Firearm unloaded, ammunition separate, out of reach of minors. Safe recommended. If a minor accesses the firearm or a third party uses it to commit a crime, you can be criminally liable.

Prohibited places (Art. 95 LAM)

Even with a current license, you may NOT carry in:

• Schools and educational centers
• Hospitals and health centers
• Bars, nightclubs, cantinas
• Banks and money exchanges
• Government buildings
• Churches and religious temples during services
• Public sporting events
• Marches and public gatherings

Violation = 1-3 years prison + Q5,000-25,000 fine + seizure + license suspension.

Influence prohibition (Art. 80 LAM)

Carrying or using a firearm under the effect of alcohol, drugs, or psychoactive medications = seizure + criminal prosecution.

Mandatory reports

• Address change: notify DIGECAM within 30 days
• Stolen or lost firearm: report to PNC + DIGECAM within 24 hours
• Stolen or lost license card: request replacement immediately

Penalties for Non-Compliance

For the Diaspora — Renewal from Abroad

If you live in the United States, Canada, Mexico, or another country and your DIGECAM license is close to expiration, you have three paths:

Option 1 — Voluntary lapse (safest)

If you are not coming back soon, the best move is to let the license expire and reactivate it when you return to Guatemala. It is cheaper (you do not pay Q190 for something you are not using), and you avoid the risk of carrying with a problematic document. Reactivation after 6 months forces new exams (Q400 plus Q500-1,000), but you only pay it if you decide to start carrying again.

Option 2 — Renewal via representative (if you visit regularly)

If you travel to Guatemala 1-2 times a year and want to keep your license active for use during visits:

1. Grant a special apostilled power of attorney (at a Guatemalan consulate in the US, or by Guatemalan notary with MINEX apostille) to a trusted family member or paid agent
2. Your representative handles background checks and the Q190 payment in Guatemala
3. You attend the DIGECAM appointment in person on your trip — biometric capture cannot be delegated
4. Coordinate the DIGECAM appointment with your travel date

Option 3 — Importing a firearm bought in the US

If you legally bought a firearm in the US (FFL license, ITAR compliance) and want to bring it to Guatemala:

1. You need a DIGECAM individual import license BEFORE traveling (Q10)
2. Comply with US ATF export rules
3. Declare to SAT customs when entering Guatemala
4. Register the firearm with DIGECAM individual possession immediately
5. Add the firearm to your license via add/remove firearm

Do NOT try to bring a firearm without these procedures — the offense of arms smuggling is 8-15 years prison with no substitute measure.

Related Procedures

• MINDEF / DIGECAM hub: Defense and DIGECAM procedures
• If expired more than 6 months (reactivation): DIGECAM First License
• Register a newly purchased firearm: Possession Registration with Purchase Contract
• Add the new firearm to your license: Add or Remove Firearm from License
• If your firearm is stolen: Report a Stolen Firearm
• If your license card is stolen: Replace Stolen or Lost License
• Import a firearm from the US: Individual Firearm Import License
• Antecedentes Penales: Criminal Background Check
• Antecedentes Policiacos: Police Background Check
• Renew DPI: Guatemala DPI ID
• Apostille a power of attorney: MINEX Apostille

Official Links

• DIGECAM procedures portal
• Book a DIGECAM appointment
• DIGECAM fee schedule
• Legal framework — DIGECAM
• Firearms and Munitions Law — Decreto 15-2009 (Congress)
• Official DIGECAM email: correodigecam@digecam.mil.gt