This guide covers everything you need to know about the Guatemalan passport in 2026 — how to apply for a new one, how to renew it, what it costs, the required documents, and how the process works both inside Guatemala and at consulates in the USA. The Guatemalan passport is issued by the IGM (Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración) at its passport emission centers. You need a valid DPI (national ID) and an online appointment to start.
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 with IGM. IGM says the passport is delivered the same day as your in-person visit, in about 25 minutes. Citizens abroad can apply or renew at any of Guatemala’s 26 US consulates (the consular fee is higher, $65 / $100; some now print on-site same-day). In-country IGM rates verified for 2026; confirm the current fee at igm.gob.gt before paying.
On this page: passport cost · 5-year vs 10-year · requirements · step-by-step process · emission centers · renewing from the USA · minors, lost passports & corrections.
Prices verified 20 September 2026 directly against IGM’s tariff instrument in force — the Reglamento de Tarifas por Servicios Migratorios, Acuerdo IGM-029-2023 (signed 5 May 2023, approved by Acuerdo de Autoridad Migratoria Nacional AMN 005-2023, reformed by Acuerdo IGM-57-2023 / AMN 010-2023): Art. 3 for the fees you pay inside Guatemala and Art. 4 for the ones you pay at a consulate abroad. The 2022 tarifario (AMN 003-2022) this page cited until 20 September 2026 was derogated in 2023; the dollar amounts did not change. Cross-checked against IGM’s live fee page, pasaportes.igm.gob.gt — Tarifario, re-read on 24 September 2026 (IGM moved its passport pages there; the old pasaportes.igm.gob.gt/index.php/component/content/article/tarifario-servicios-igm?catid=8 URL now returns 404). 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 in Guatemala (USD $65 at a consulate) | USD $85 in Guatemala (USD $100 at a consulate) |
| Cost per year | $10/year | $8.50/year |
| Who can get it | Minors (only option) and adults | Adults only (18+) |
| 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. Minors under 18 can only get the 5-year passport — IGM’s published tariff and passport FAQ restrict the 10-year option to adults (re-read 24 September 2026).
Cost
| Duration | Cost |
|---|---|
| 5 years | USD $50 |
| 10 years | USD $85 |
IGM states the payment must be made exclusively at Banrural agencies, and that passport payments in Guatemala are made in quetzales at the exchange rate the Institute itself publishes (IGM passport FAQ, Tarifario; Acuerdo IGM-029-2023 Art. 6).
Calculator
Guatemalan Passport Fee Calculator
Pick duration and location — the consular fee is higher than the in-country one, so the total changes with both. Returns USD + Q equivalent, converted at the Banguat reference rate, Q7.6254/$1, refreshed daily.
Every amount here comes from IGM's Reglamento de Tarifas por Servicios Migratorios (Acuerdo IGM-029-2023, approved by AMN 005-2023): Art. 3 for the fees you pay inside Guatemala, Art. 4 for the ones you pay at a consulate. The tariff sets no expedited or rush surcharge, so this calculator offers none; it also prices a one-time validity-extension sticker (18 months free; 3 years $20 in Guatemala / $25 at a consulate), which this calculator does not model.
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)
tramites.gob.gt is the Guatemalan government’s open catalog. If you do not know which institution handles a trámite, search here first.
Step-by-Step Process
- Make the payment at a Banrural agency ($50 or $85 depending on duration, charged in quetzales at IGM’s reference rate)
- Schedule a free online appointment at IGM’s citas en línea (official portal only; it asks for your payment receipt number)
- Print and sign the application form the portal generates
- 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
- Receive your passport the same day — IGM says delivery takes about 25 minutes, and it is handed only to the holder in person
Passport Emission Centers
| Location | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 4 (Capital) | 6a. Avenida 1-27, CC Plaza Ruta, locals 1 to 5, zona 4 | Mon-Fri 6:00-15:00 |
| Zone 9 (Capital) | 11 calle 5-59, zona 9, Plaza FPK | Mon-Fri 7:00-15:00 |
| Quetzaltenango | Avenida de las Americas, zona 3, 2nd level, office #2, C.C. Supercom Delco | Mon-Fri 7:00-15:00 |
| Peten | Locals 210 and 212, 2nd level, CC Metro Plaza Mundo Maya, zona 0, Santa Elena, Peten | Mon-Fri 7:00-15:00 |
| Chiquimula | C.C. Gran Avenida, 7 avenida 5-47, zona 1, Chiquimula | Mon-Fri 7:00-15:00 |
| Zacapa | Km. 136.2 ruta al Atlantico, Rio Hondo, Zacapa | Mon-Fri 7:00-15:00 |
| Escuintla (San Jose) | Km. 106.5 San Juan el Paraiso, Antigua Carretera al Puerto San Jose, zona 0, San Jose, Escuintla | Mon-Fri 7:00-15:00 |
Source: IGM — Centros de emisión de pasaportes, re-read 24 September 2026 (all seven addresses and hours unchanged).
IGM Phone: 2411-2411 · IGM head office: 6a. avenida 3-11, zona 4, Guatemala City
Renewing from the USA
If you live in the United States you do not need to fly back. All 26 Guatemalan consulates renew passports; you book by phone with your consulate (the MINEX online citas portal serves no booking form) or walk in — not through IGM’s online system used inside Guatemala. Fees are $65 (5-year) and $100 (10-year), paid at the consulate. Turnaround depends on the consulate: those with an on-site printing center (CIP) — Atlanta, for example — can issue same-day, while at the rest the passport is produced in Guatemala City and shipped back, so ask the consulate for its current timeline.
Full walkthrough — booking, documents, payment methods, courier options, lost passports and minors: Guatemalan Passport Renewal in the USA. To find which consulate covers your state, see the consulates directory.
Should you renew in Guatemala or at a consulate?
| Feature | In Guatemala (IGM) | At US Consulate |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment | IGM citas en línea (servicios.igm.gob.gt) | By phone with the consulate, or walk in |
| Where you pay | Banrural | Consulate window (USD) |
| Processing time | Same day (IGM: about 25 minutes) | Same-day at consulates with on-site printing (CIP); otherwise ask the consulate |
| Where photo is taken | IGM emission center | Consulate office |
| Fees | $50 / $85 (paid in GTQ equivalent) | $65 / $100 (paid in USD by money order) |
| Required documents | Same — DPI, expiring passport, appointment | Same — DPI, expiring passport, appointment |
The big takeaways: the consular fee runs about $15 higher ($65 / $100 vs $50 / $85), same documents, different appointment system (phone booking with the consulate, not IGM’s online citas), payment in USD at the consulate, and turnaround that depends on your consulate — same-day where there is an on-site printing center, otherwise whatever time the consulate gives you while the passport is produced in Guatemala City.
If your DPI has also expired you cannot renew the passport on its own — see the DPI guide first.
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.
- Standard turnaround is already same-day: IGM says the passport is delivered the same day as the appointment, so the usual bottleneck is finding an appointment slot, not production.
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.
- Validity: Minors under 18 can only get the 5-year passport — the 10-year option is adults-only (IGM tariff page and passport FAQ).
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.
- What it costs: IGM’s tariff sets a separate reposicion de pasaporte ordinario fee rather than charging you a full new passport: USD $25 inside Guatemala and USD $40 at a consulate abroad (Reglamento de Tarifas por Servicios Migratorios, Acuerdo IGM-029-2023 / AMN 005-2023, Art. 3 num. 1.5 and Art. 4 num. 8). Confirm the amount at the window before you pay, since the counter also has to cancel the old booklet.
- 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 (same day, per IGM).
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).
Common Errors and Solutions
These are real issues applicants run into at IGM emission centers and Guatemalan consulates abroad. Most are documentation problems caught at intake — fixing them in advance saves a wasted appointment.
“Cita no disponible” on igm.gob.gt — appointment slots fill up weeks ahead, especially at the Zone 4 and Zone 9 emission centers in the capital. Solution: check the portal in the early morning when cancellations free up slots, or try the Quetzaltenango, Peten, Chiquimula, or Zacapa emission centers (often have shorter waits). Mobile/extended-hours events announced on IGM’s social media are also good for harder-to-find slots.
DPI rejected as damaged or worn — wrinkled, faded, cracked, or partially illegible DPIs are turned away at intake. There is no override. Solution: renew your DPI at RENAP first (1-3 weeks), then book your passport appointment for after that date.
Expired DPI on appointment day — even if you booked when it was valid, IGM checks DPI status on the date of the visit. Solution: confirm your DPI is valid for at least 30 days past your appointment date before going to IGM.
Bank receipt does not match application — the Banrural fee receipt must show the exact $50 or $85 amount (charged in quetzales at IGM’s reference rate) and your name as it appears on your DPI. Solution: bring both the bank receipt original and a photocopy. If the cashier wrote a nickname or different spelling, request a corrected receipt before leaving the bank.
Photo capture rejected at the emission center — biometric photo is taken on site, but it can be rejected for colored contact lenses, heavy makeup, head coverings, hats, large jewelry, glare on glasses, or movement during capture. Solution: remove contacts and glasses before sitting, neutral expression, hair off the face.
Minor passport blocked because only one parent shows up — both parents must be present with their own DPIs, OR the absent parent must have a notarized authorization (in Guatemala) or consular authorization (abroad). Solution: see our Minor Travel Permit guide — the same documentation applies to passport issuance for minors.
Recent birth certificate older than 6 months (for minors) — IGM requires a RENAP-issued birth certificate dated within the last 6 months. Solution: pull a fresh certificate from any RENAP office (Q15, RENAP tariff) the week before your appointment.
Outstanding IGM fines blocking issuance — overstay fines from previous trips or unpaid migration penalties must be cleared before a new passport will be issued. Solution: ask IGM at intake for a “estado de cuenta migratorio” to see what is owed, pay at the IGM cashier, return with the receipt.
Pre-2015 passport missing biometric chip (USA consulate renewal) — older non-biometric passports trigger additional ID requests at US consulates. Solution: bring a US-issued state ID (driver’s license, REAL ID) or a US passport as backup secondary identification.
Payment method at US consulates — MINEX does not publish one payment rule for every consulate. Solution: call the specific consulate before your appointment to confirm how it takes the fee.
Document submitted at wrong consulate (USA) — each US consulate covers specific states, and applying outside your jurisdiction is grounds for refusal. Solution: confirm your assigned consulate at /consulates/ before booking by phone with that consulate.
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
Common Questions
How much does a Guatemalan passport cost?
A 5-year passport costs USD $50 and a 10-year passport costs USD $85. IGM states the payment must be made exclusively at Banrural agencies, in quetzales at the exchange rate the Institute publishes.
Can I renew my Guatemalan passport in the United States?
Yes. Guatemalan consulates in the US process passport renewals. You need your valid DPI, an appointment, and the passport fee. Contact your nearest consulate for scheduling.
How long does it take to get a Guatemalan passport?
In Guatemala: IGM says the passport is delivered the same day as your appointment, in about 25 minutes. At US consulates: same-day where the consulate prints on site; otherwise ask the consulate for its current timeline, because the application travels to Guatemala City for printing.
Do I need a DPI to get a passport?
Yes. A valid DPI in good physical condition is required. If your DPI is expired or damaged, renew it first at RENAP.
What is the difference between a 5-year and 10-year passport?
Both passports have the same travel validity and are accepted worldwide. The 10-year passport costs $35 more but saves you from renewing sooner. For frequent travelers, the 10-year option is more cost-effective.
Can I travel within Central America without a passport?
Yes. Under the CA-4 agreement, Guatemalans can travel to El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua using only their DPI (national ID). A passport is not required for CA-4 countries.
Can I renew my Guatemalan passport in the USA?
Yes. All 26 Guatemalan consulates in the USA process passport renewals. You do not need to travel back to Guatemala. Book by phone with your consulate (the MINEX online citas portal serves no booking form for US consulates) — MINEX says you may also attend without an appointment — bring your DPI and expiring passport, and pay $65 (5-yr) or $100 (10-yr) in USD at the consulate. Processing ranges from same-day at consulates with an on-site printing center to a couple of weeks where the passport is printed in Guatemala — confirm with your consulate.
If you live in the US, MigrantUSA goes deeper on the US side — each of the 26 consulates city by city, and the US procedures Guatemalans there handle alongside.
Which Guatemalan consulate is closest to me?
Guatemala has 26 permanent consulates across the USA: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson, Denver, Omaha, Oklahoma City, Dallas, McAllen, Del Rio, Houston, Chicago, Columbus, Nashville, Atlanta, Raleigh, Lake Worth, Miami, Philadelphia, New York, Riverhead, Providence, Rockville (Maryland, covering the Washington DC area), and Seattle — plus mobile consulate (sábado consular) events in other cities. See our full directory at /consulates/ for addresses, phone numbers, and jurisdictions.
How long does passport renewal at a US consulate take?
Where the consulate does not print on site, ask it for its current processing time at your appointment. Inside Guatemala IGM delivers the passport the same day; the consular wait comes from applications being routed back to Guatemala City for production. Plan accordingly if you have upcoming travel — request your appointment at least 2 months before your passport expires.
What’s different about renewing from the USA vs Guatemala?
Three main differences: (1) You pay in USD at the consulate, not at Banrural in Guatemala; (2) You book by phone with the consulate (or walk in), not through IGM’s online appointment system; (3) In Guatemala IGM delivers the passport the same day, while at consulates without on-site printing the application travels to Guatemala City, so ask the consulate for its current timeline. Documents required (DPI, expiring passport, photo on site) are identical.
Can I renew my Guatemalan passport online from the USA?
No. There is no fully online passport renewal — you must appear in person at a Guatemalan consulate for biometric capture (photo and fingerprints). Appointments at US consulates are booked by phone with the consulate — the MINEX online portal serves no booking form — and MINEX says you may also go without one. The in-person visit at the consulate is mandatory.
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Official Links
Corrected 24 September 2026: IGM’s passport FAQ says a passport applied for in Guatemala is delivered the same day (about 25 minutes); earlier versions of this page gave a multi-week wait. The US-consulate booking lines still pointed at the retired MINEX online portal and the unverified 844 call-centre number; they now say to book by phone with your consulate. The Washington-area consulate is in Rockville, Maryland (MINEX directory), not Silver Spring. The Código de Migración’s passport articles are Arts. 90-99. IGM’s old passport URLs on igm.gob.gt return 404; links now point to pasaportes.igm.gob.gt.