The Guatemalan passport is issued by the IGM (Instituto Guatemalteco de Migracion) at their passport emission centers. You need a valid DPI and an online appointment.
Quick summary: A Guatemalan passport costs $50 USD (5 years) or $85 USD (10 years). You need a valid DPI and a free online appointment at igm.gob.gt. Processing takes 2-4 weeks from your in-person visit.
Prices verified February 2026. Check our exchange rate page for today’s USD/GTQ rate.
5-Year vs 10-Year Passport Comparison
| Feature | 5-Year Passport | 10-Year Passport |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | USD $50 | USD $85 |
| Cost per year | $10/year | $8.50/year |
| Best for | Children (features change), infrequent travelers | Adults, frequent travelers |
| Renewal frequency | Every 5 years | Every 10 years |
| Pages | Standard | Standard |
| International acceptance | Same | Same |
Recommendation: For adults, the 10-year passport is better value. For minors under 10, a 5-year passport makes more sense because their appearance changes significantly.
Cost
| Duration | Cost |
|---|---|
| 5 years | USD $50 |
| 10 years | USD $85 |
Payment at authorized bank branches (Banrural, BAM, BI, G&T Continental).
Requirements
- Application form (printed and signed)
- Valid DPI in good condition (original and copy of both sides on one page)
- Previous expired passport + photocopy of personal data page (if renewal)
- Original bank payment receipt
- Printed and signed appointment confirmation
For Minors
- Recent birth certificate (from RENAP)
- Both parents must be present — or a legal representative with notarized authorization
- Both parents’ DPIs (original and copy)
Step-by-Step Process
- Schedule a free online appointment at igm.gob.gt (official portal only)
- Make the payment at an authorized bank ($50 or $85 depending on duration)
- Print and sign your appointment confirmation
- Go to the Passport Emission Center on your appointment date
- Submit your complete documentation
- Biometric data collection (photo, fingerprints) — the photo is taken on site
- Pick up your passport on the indicated date (2-4 weeks)
Passport Emission Centers
| Location | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 4 (Capital) | 6a. Avenida 1-27, CC Plaza Ruta, locals 1-5 | Mon-Fri 6:00-15:00 |
| Zone 9 (Capital) | 11 Calle 5-59, Plaza FPK | Mon-Fri 7:00-15:00 |
| Quetzaltenango | Avenida de las Americas, zone 3 | Mon-Fri 7:00-15:00 |
| Peten | CC Metro Plaza Mundo Maya | Mon-Fri 7:00-15:00 |
| Chiquimula | Departmental office | Mon-Fri 7:00-15:00 |
| Zacapa | Departmental office | Mon-Fri 7:00-15:00 |
IGM Phone: 2411-2411
From the US (Diaspora Info)
Complete walkthrough: see our dedicated Renew Guatemalan Passport from USA 2026 guide covering all 22 consulates, required documents, fees, expedited options, lost passport replacement, and minor passports.
Guatemalans in the United States can process passports through consulates:
- Consulate processing is available in Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Chicago, Washington DC, Miami, Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix, and other cities
- Requirements are the same as in Guatemala: valid DPI, payment, and appointment
- Processing time at consulates: typically 4-8 weeks (longer than in-country)
- Appointments: Schedule through your local consulate’s website or by calling directly
- Cost: Same fees ($50 or $85 USD) — payment methods vary by consulate
- Mobile consulates: Some consulates offer periodic weekend passport events in cities with large Guatemalan communities
- Find your nearest consulate: minex.gob.gt/consulados
- If your DPI is expired, you’ll need to renew it first — RENAP mobile units also visit US consulates periodically
Renewing Your Guatemalan Passport from the USA
Guatemalan citizens living in the USA can renew their passport at any of the 22 Guatemalan consulates without traveling back to Guatemala. The process is straightforward but uses a different appointment system than the in-country IGM portal — and processing runs slightly longer because applications are sent back to IGM headquarters in Guatemala City for production.
Which Consulates Handle Renewal
All 22 consulates process passport renewal. The full list with addresses, hours, jurisdictions, and phone numbers is in our consulates directory, but the busiest are:
- Los Angeles (largest jurisdiction by Guatemalan population)
- New York
- Houston
- Chicago
- Miami
- Washington DC
- Atlanta
- Denver
If you’re not sure which consulate covers your state, see /consulates/ — each state is assigned to a single consulate by jurisdiction. You generally must use the one covering your state of residence.
Step-by-Step USA Renewal
1. Book your appointment online. Go to citas.minex.gob.gt (the MINEX consular system — different from igm.gob.gt used in Guatemala). Select your consulate and pick the next available slot. Appointments are free; ignore any third-party site charging for them.
2. Gather your documents. Bring:
- Current or expiring Guatemalan passport (even if expired)
- Valid DPI in good physical condition
- Printed appointment confirmation from citas.minex.gob.gt
- Payment in USD cash or money order (some consulates accept card; check before you arrive)
3. Photo on site. The consulate takes the biometric photo and fingerprints during the visit — do not bring photos. Avoid colored contact lenses, heavy makeup, hats, or jewelry that obscures your face.
4. Pay the fee at the consulate window:
| Duration | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| 5-year passport | $50 |
| 10-year passport | $85 |
These are the same fees charged in Guatemala — there is no consular surcharge.
5. Processing takes 4-8 weeks. Your application is sent to IGM headquarters in Guatemala City for production, then returned to the consulate. Expect 4-8 weeks depending on consulate volume — Los Angeles and New York run longer; smaller consulates can be faster.
6. Pickup or mail-back. Most consulates require in-person pickup. Some offer prepaid mail-back via USPS at your cost. Confirm the pickup method when you book.
What’s Different vs Renewing in Guatemala
| Feature | In Guatemala (IGM) | At US Consulate |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment portal | igm.gob.gt | citas.minex.gob.gt |
| Where you pay | Authorized Guatemalan bank | Consulate window (USD) |
| Processing time | 2-4 weeks | 4-8 weeks |
| Where photo is taken | IGM emission center | Consulate office |
| Fees | $50 / $85 (paid in GTQ equivalent) | $50 / $85 (paid in USD) |
| Required documents | Same — DPI, expiring passport, appointment | Same — DPI, expiring passport, appointment |
The big takeaways: same fee, same documents, different appointment system (citas.minex.gob.gt, not igm.gob.gt), payment in USD at the consulate, and longer processing because applications go back to IGM Guatemala City.
Common Gotchas
- Photo rejection. Consulates use the same biometric standard as IGM — white background, no glasses, no head covering, neutral expression. Most rejections happen because the applicant moved during capture or wore a colored contact lens.
- Expired DPI. If your DPI is also expired, you cannot renew the passport on its own. RENAP mobile units periodically visit consulates for DPI renewal — check our DPI guide and your consulate’s calendar before you book.
- Wrong jurisdiction. Booking at the wrong consulate (one that does not cover your state of residence) is a common mistake. Check /consulates/ to confirm the correct one before you book.
- Missing biometrics from old passport. Some pre-2015 passports lack chip biometrics. The consulate may ask for additional ID (state driver’s license, US-issued document) — bring backup ID just in case.
- Cash-only at some consulates. Smaller consulates may not accept card. Bring USD cash or a money order made out to “Consulado de Guatemala” as backup.
For a full walkthrough including expedited options, lost passport replacement at a consulate, and minor passports from the USA, see our Renew Guatemalan Passport from USA 2026 guide.
Edge Cases & Special Situations
Details
IGM does not offer a standard “rush” service, but there are options for urgent situations:
- Emergency travel: If you have a documented medical emergency or death of a family member abroad, bring proof (hospital letter, death certificate) to IGM and request priority processing. Approval is at the director’s discretion.
- Extended-hours events (jornadas extraordinarias): IGM periodically announces weekend and evening passport events at additional locations. Follow IGM’s social media for announcements.
- No third-party expediting: There is no legal way to pay extra for faster processing. Anyone offering this is a tramitador and may be running a scam.
- Typical emergency turnaround: 3-7 business days when approved, versus 2-4 weeks standard.
Details
Processing a passport for a minor has additional requirements:
- Both parents must be present at the emission center with their DPIs, or one parent must have a notarized authorization from the absent parent.
- Recent birth certificate from RENAP is required (not older than 6 months).
- If one parent is abroad: The absent parent can authorize at a Guatemalan consulate. The original notarized document must be sent to Guatemala.
- If one parent is deceased: Bring the death certificate and birth certificate.
- If one parent has no contact: A Family Court (Juzgado de Familia) order authorizing the passport is required.
- Custody disputes: If there is a pending custody case, the judge may need to authorize the passport issuance.
- Recommended duration: 5-year passport for children under 10 (their features change significantly).
Details
If your passport was lost or stolen:
- File a police report (denuncia) at the nearest PNC station or through the MP (Ministerio Publico). Get a certified copy.
- Report the loss to IGM — the old passport will be canceled in the system.
- Apply for a new passport following the standard process, but bring the police report instead of the expired passport.
- If lost abroad: Contact the nearest Guatemalan consulate immediately. They can issue an emergency travel document (pase de emergencia) to return to Guatemala.
- Note: Replacement passports are issued as new, not renewals. You will pay the full fee again.
- Prevention: Keep a photocopy or photo of your passport’s data page separately from the original.
Details
If your name has changed (marriage, divorce, legal name change) or there is an error in your passport:
- You must first update your DPI at RENAP to reflect the correct name.
- Then apply for a new passport with the updated DPI — IGM pulls data from RENAP’s system.
- Errors: If IGM made a data entry error, they will correct it at no charge. Bring the passport back to the emission center with your DPI.
- Processing time for a corrected passport is the same as a new issuance (2-4 weeks).
Common Rejection Reasons
Your passport application may be delayed or rejected for these reasons:
- Damaged DPI — wrinkled, faded, or physically damaged DPIs are rejected. Get a new DPI first at RENAP.
- Expired DPI — your DPI must be valid on the appointment date.
- Unpaid fines — outstanding debts with IGM (overstay fines, etc.) must be resolved first.
- Incomplete documentation — missing bank receipt, unsigned forms, or missing appointment confirmation.
- Photo issues — while the photo is taken on-site, avoid excessive makeup, colored contact lenses, or accessories that obscure your face.
- Legal holds — court orders restricting passport issuance (custody disputes, criminal proceedings).
Tips
- Appointments are free and only available through the official igm.gob.gt portal — do not pay tramitadores (middlemen)
- IGM periodically holds extended-hours events with additional locations
- Check appointment availability at all locations, not just Guatemala City
- The photo is taken at the emission center — don’t bring photos
- Your DPI must be in good physical condition (not wrinkled or damaged)
- If you’re a foreigner seeking residency, see our guide on residency for foreigners
- CA-4 travel: For trips to El Salvador, Honduras, or Nicaragua, you only need your DPI — no passport required
Related Tramites
- DPI (National ID) — must be valid before applying for passport
- Residency for Foreigners — if you need residency, not a passport
- Digital Nomad Visa — remote worker residency
- Minor Travel Permit — required for minors traveling without both parents
- Special Travel Pass (Pase Especial) — emergency travel document when passport is unavailable
- Consular Registration — register at your nearest consulate
- Apostille — authenticate documents for international use
- Naturalization — become a Guatemalan citizen