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 at igm.gob.gt. Processing takes 2-4 weeks from your in-person visit. 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 September 2026 directly against IGM’s own tariff instrument — the Tarifario de Servicios Migratorios (Acuerdo IGM-0052-2022), approved by Acuerdo de Autoridad Migratoria Nacional AMN 003-2022, published in the Diario de Centro América No. 65 of 26 April 2022: Art. 2 for the fees you pay inside Guatemala and Art. 3 for the ones you pay at a consulate abroad. Cross-checked against IGM’s live fee page, igm.gob.gt/tarifario-pasaportes, read on 4 September 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 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 — the 10-year option is restricted to adults by the Migration Code (Decreto 44-2016).
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 (Requisitos, Tarifario).
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 Tarifario de Servicios Migratorios (Acuerdo IGM-0052-2022, approved by Acuerdo AMN 003-2022): Art. 2 for the fees you pay inside Guatemala, Art. 3 for the ones you pay at a consulate. The tariff sets no expedited or rush surcharge, so this calculator offers none.
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
- Schedule a free online appointment at igm.gob.gt (official portal only)
- Make the payment at a Banrural agency ($50 or $85 depending on duration, charged in quetzales at IGM’s reference rate)
- 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 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 — Ubicacion de Centros de Emision de pasaportes y horario de atencion, read 4 September 2026.
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, using the MINEX Citas Consulares portal (not the igm.gob.gt 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 the rest take about 4-8 weeks, because the passport is produced in Guatemala City and shipped back.
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 portal | igm.gob.gt | MINEX Citas Consulares portal |
| Where you pay | Authorized Guatemalan bank | Consulate window (USD) |
| Processing time | 2-4 weeks | Same-day at consulates with on-site printing (CIP); otherwise 4-8 weeks |
| 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 (MINEX Citas Consulares, not igm.gob.gt), payment in USD at the consulate, and turnaround that depends on your consulate — same-day where there is an on-site printing center, otherwise 4-8 weeks 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.
- 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.
- Validity: Minors under 18 can only get the 5-year passport — the 10-year option is adults-only (Migration Code, Decreto 44-2016).
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 (Tarifario de Servicios Migratorios, Acuerdo IGM-0052-2022 / AMN 003-2022, Art. 2 num. 1.5 and Art. 3 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 (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).
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-Q25) 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.
Cash-only at smaller US consulates — not every consulate accepts card; some accept only USD cash or money order made out to “Consulado de Guatemala.” Solution: call the specific consulate before your appointment to confirm payment methods.
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: 2-4 weeks from your in-person appointment. At US consulates: typically 4-8 weeks.
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 at the MINEX consular portal (minex-gob-gt.my.site.com) or call the consular call center at 844-805-1011, bring your DPI and expiring passport, and pay $65 (5-yr) or $100 (10-yr) in USD by money order at the consulate. Most consulates also accept walk-ins (Nashville and Atlanta require an appointment). 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, Silver Spring (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?
Typical processing time is 4-8 weeks from your in-person appointment. This is longer than the 2-4 weeks for renewals done at IGM in Guatemala because consular renewals are routed back to IGM headquarters in 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 window, not at a Guatemalan bank; (2) Online appointment portal is the MINEX consular appointment portal, not igm.gob.gt; (3) Processing time is 4-8 weeks vs 2-4 weeks in-country because the application travels to IGM headquarters in Guatemala City. 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). What you CAN do online is book the appointment through the MINEX consular portal (or call 844-805-1011) and pre-fill the application form. The in-person visit at the consulate is mandatory.
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