The authorization for minors to travel out of Guatemala is one of the most commonly needed immigration documents in the country, and one that catches many families off guard. Under Article 61 of Guatemala’s Codigo de Migracion (Migration Code), no person under 18 years old can leave Guatemalan territory without the documented consent of both parents or legal guardians. This rule is enforced at every airport, land border crossing, and seaport by IGM officers, and there are no exceptions.

This requirement exists to protect children from unauthorized removal from the country, which can be a concern in custody disputes and child trafficking prevention. It applies to all minors departing Guatemala, whether they are Guatemalan citizens, foreign nationals, or dual citizens. Even if both parents are present at the airport, IGM may ask for proof of parental relationship (birth certificate) if the last names do not match.

For the large Guatemalan diaspora in the United States, this document is critically important. Many children travel between the US and Guatemala to visit family, and the parent remaining abroad must provide written authorization for the child to leave Guatemala when the visit ends. The good news is that Guatemalan consulates in the US can process this authorization free of charge, acting in their capacity as notarial officers.

Quick summary: Both parents must authorize a minor’s departure from Guatemala. Authorization can be done at a notary in Guatemala or a Guatemalan consulate abroad (free). Without it, the child cannot leave the country. Processing takes 1-3 days.

Information verified March 2026.

When Is Authorization Required?

ScenarioWhat You Need
Child travels with both parentsBirth certificate proving parentage
Child travels with one parentWritten authorization from the absent parent (legalized signature)
Child travels with a third party (grandparent, aunt, etc.)Written authorization from BOTH parents (legalized signatures)
Child travels aloneWritten authorization from BOTH parents + additional IGM requirements

Requirements

  • DPI or passport of both parents (originals and copies)
  • Valid passport of the minor
  • Recent birth certificate from RENAP (certifying parentage)
  • Written authorization with legalized signature(s) of the authorizing parent(s)
  • If via consulate: parent’s DPI or passport and proof of identity

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Determine the travel scenario — is the child traveling with one parent, a relative, or alone?
  2. If the authorizing parent is in Guatemala, visit a notary (notario) to draft and legalize the authorization document
  3. If the authorizing parent is abroad, visit the nearest Guatemalan consulate to grant the authorization (free of charge)
  4. Include all required details in the authorization: minor’s full name, passport number, travel dates, destination, and identity of the accompanying adult
  5. If granted at a consulate, the signed document is sent to Guatemala (original document preferred)
  6. Present the authorization at the immigration checkpoint when departing Guatemala along with the minor’s passport and birth certificate

From the US (Diaspora Info)

This is one of the most critical tramites for Guatemalan families in the United States. Here is what you need to know:

  • Consulate processing is FREE — the consulate acts as a notary at no cost for minor travel authorizations
  • You can process this at any Guatemalan consulate in the US (Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Chicago, Miami, Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix, Washington DC, and others)
  • Appointments may be required — check your local consulate’s website or call ahead
  • The original authorization must reach Guatemala — send it via certified mail or courier (FedEx, DHL) to the custodial parent or guardian in Guatemala
  • Plan ahead — do not wait until the last minute. Allow at least 1-2 weeks for the document to be processed at the consulate and shipped to Guatemala
  • Mobile consulates periodically visit cities with large Guatemalan communities and can also process these authorizations
  • Find your consulate: minex.gob.gt/consulados

What If a Parent Cannot Be Found?

If one parent is absent, deceased, has abandoned the family, or refuses to grant authorization, the custodial parent must:

  1. File a petition with a Juzgado de Familia (Family Court) requesting judicial authorization for the minor’s travel
  2. Provide evidence of the situation (death certificate, court orders, proof of attempts to contact the absent parent)
  3. The judge issues a judicial order authorizing the minor’s departure
  4. This process takes 2-4 weeks and may require a lawyer

For cases involving a parent who actively refuses to sign, the court process may take longer as the judge must hear both sides.

Edge Cases & Special Situations

Details

If you are a single parent with sole legal custody:

  • Carry the court order (sentencia de custodia) proving you have sole custody. This must be a certified copy issued by the Family Court.
  • You do NOT need authorization from the other parent if the court has awarded you sole parental authority (patria potestad exclusiva).
  • However, if your court order only grants custody but not exclusive patria potestad, the other parent may still need to authorize travel. Read your court order carefully.
  • Recommended: Carry both the court order AND the birth certificate. IGM officers need to see the legal basis for your sole authority.
  • If the other parent is deceased: A death certificate replaces the need for authorization. Carry the original death certificate plus a RENAP-certified birth certificate.
Details

When a minor travels with someone who is not their parent (grandparent, aunt, family friend, school group):

  • Both parents must sign the authorization document, either together at a notary or separately (one in Guatemala, one at a consulate abroad).
  • The authorization must identify the accompanying adult by full name, DPI or passport number, and relationship to the child.
  • School trips: The authorization can name the school and trip leader. Some schools provide pre-formatted authorization templates approved by IGM.
  • Multiple children: Each child needs their own authorization document, even if siblings are traveling together with the same adult.
  • Unaccompanied minors (traveling alone): Both parents must authorize, plus the airline may have additional requirements for children traveling without an adult. Check with the airline before booking.
Details

When a minor needs to leave Guatemala urgently and normal authorization cannot be obtained in time:

  • There is no automatic emergency exception. IGM still requires authorization documentation, even in emergencies.
  • Fastest option: Have the absent parent authorize at the nearest Guatemalan consulate immediately. Consulates can sometimes process this within hours for genuine emergencies.
  • If the absent parent is truly unreachable: File an emergency petition (solicitud de urgencia) with the Juzgado de Familia. Courts can issue emergency travel authorization within 24-48 hours in genuine medical emergencies.
  • What to bring: Medical documentation (hospital admission letters, doctor’s letters), proof of the emergency, and evidence of attempts to contact the absent parent.
  • Airline coordination: Notify the airline of the emergency situation. While they cannot override IGM requirements, they may offer flexibility on booking changes while you obtain documentation.
Details

Custody arrangements add complexity to minor travel authorization:

  • Standard shared custody: Both parents retain travel authorization rights. The absent parent must still authorize each trip.
  • Court-ordered travel restrictions: Some divorce decrees include specific provisions about international travel. If your decree restricts travel, the other parent’s notarized authorization may not be sufficient — you may need a specific court order permitting the trip.
  • Contentious situations: If one parent consistently refuses authorization to control or harass the other parent, the court can modify the custody agreement to grant standing travel authorization.
  • Recommendation: During divorce proceedings, negotiate clear travel authorization terms in the custody agreement to avoid future complications.

Tips & Common Mistakes

  • Do NOT arrive at the airport without this document. IGM officers will turn you away, and there is no way to resolve it on the spot. No amount of arguing or explaining will override this legal requirement.
  • Carry the original birth certificate. A photocopy is not sufficient. Get a recent certified copy from RENAP if yours is old or damaged.
  • Include specific travel dates and destinations in the authorization. Vague authorizations (“for any trip at any time”) may be questioned by IGM officers. Be specific.
  • If you are a single parent with sole custody, carry the court order proving sole custody in addition to the birth certificate. This eliminates the need for the other parent’s authorization.
  • Dual-citizen children need the same documentation. Even if the child has a US passport, departing from Guatemala requires Guatemalan immigration compliance.
  • Plan ahead for US-based parents: Allow 1-2 weeks for consulate processing and shipping of the original document to Guatemala.