The Tarjeta de Identificacion Consular Guatemalteca (TICG) is one of the most important documents available to Guatemalans living in the United States and other countries. This official identification card, issued by Guatemalan consulates, provides a government-backed photo ID that is accepted by many institutions in the US for everyday transactions. For the hundreds of thousands of Guatemalans who may not have access to other forms of government identification, the TICG can open doors to basic services that would otherwise be inaccessible.
The TICG is particularly valuable for Guatemalans who are undocumented or whose other identification documents have expired. While it does not confer any immigration status or rights in the US, it serves as a reliable form of identification that police departments, banks, and local government agencies in many jurisdictions recognize. Several US cities and states have adopted policies accepting consular ID cards from various countries, including Guatemala, as valid identification for local services.
The card costs $25 USD and is valid for five years. It includes biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) collected at the consulate, making it a secure and tamper-resistant document. The TICG contains the holder’s full name, date and place of birth, nationality, address in the US, and a unique identification number. It is available at all Guatemalan consulates in the United States and at periodic mobile consulate events.
Quick summary: The TICG is a $25 USD consular ID card valid for 5 years. Available at Guatemalan consulates. Accepted as ID in many US jurisdictions for banking, police interactions, and local services. Especially important for Guatemalans without other valid ID.
Information verified March 2026.
Requirements
- Valid DPI, passport, or birth certificate from RENAP (original and copy)
- Proof of address in the US (utility bill, bank statement, rental agreement)
- Recent photograph (or taken at consulate)
- $25 USD payment by Money Order
- Appointment at your nearest Guatemalan consulate
Step-by-Step Process
- Schedule an appointment at your nearest Guatemalan consulate through their website or by phone
- Gather your documents — DPI or passport (even if expired, bring it), birth certificate, proof of US address
- Attend your appointment with all required documents
- Biometric data collection — fingerprints and photograph taken at the consulate
- Pay $25 USD by Money Order (cash and credit cards are generally not accepted)
- Receive your TICG — typically within 1-2 weeks, either mailed or picked up at the consulate
Where the TICG Is Accepted
| Use | Acceptance |
|---|---|
| Opening bank accounts | Many banks accept consular IDs |
| Police interactions | Widely accepted as identification |
| Local government services | Varies by municipality |
| Library cards | Most public libraries accept it |
| Utility services | Generally accepted |
| Domestic air travel | NOT accepted (need TSA-approved ID) |
| Federal buildings | NOT accepted |
| Employment verification | NOT a work authorization document |
From the US (Diaspora Info)
- Available at all Guatemalan consulates in the US including Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Chicago, Miami, Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix, and Washington DC
- Saturday consulate events — many consulates hold special Saturday hours where TICG processing is available alongside other services
- Mobile consulates travel to cities without permanent consulates and offer TICG processing
- Do not confuse the TICG with the DPI — the TICG is an identification document for use abroad; the DPI is the national ID for use in Guatemala. They serve different purposes
- The TICG does not replace a passport for travel to Guatemala or any other country
- If your DPI is expired, getting a TICG can serve as interim identification while you process your DPI renewal through the consulate
Tips & Common Mistakes
- Bring a Money Order, not cash. Most consulates only accept payment by Money Order for the TICG. Money Orders can be purchased at USPS, Walmart, Western Union, and similar locations.
- Make an appointment before visiting. Walk-in availability varies by consulate and can result in long waits or being turned away on busy days.
- Bring ALL your identification documents, even expired ones. The more documents you can provide, the smoother the process.
- Keep your TICG in a safe place and carry it when you need identification. It is a genuine government document backed by the Guatemalan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Renew before expiration. Do not wait until your TICG has been expired for months. Renewing an active card is faster than starting the process from scratch.