- Current DPI — the 13-digit CUI on your DPI
- No payment — CAPE issuance is free (Q0) since 2026
- Active email address to receive confirmation
- Printer or phone to download the PDF with QR
The CAPE — Carencia de Antecedentes Penales del Organismo Judicial (OJ Judicial Clearance Certificate) is the document certifying that NO final convictions have been issued by Guatemalan judges against you. It is issued by the OJ through cape.oj.gob.gt and is one of the most requested documents for US visa, foreign residency, government jobs and certain private positions.
Quick summary: The CAPE is FREE (Q0) since 2026 under the Ley de Gratuidad (it used to be Q30). Obtained online at cape.oj.gob.gt — immediate, in digital or physical-stamp form. Validity 6 months. For use abroad needs MINEX apostille (Q75 additional, Q85 with timbres — Acuerdo Gubernativo 35-2024, 1-3 days).
Information verified June 2026 — cape.oj.gob.gt portal operational.
What is the CAPE and what is it for?
The CAPE (Judicial Clearance Certificate) is the official certification from the Judicial Branch on whether a person has registered criminal convictions. It is DIFFERENT from MINGOB Police Records (issued by the National Civil Police) — and many processes require BOTH:
| Process | Requires OJ CAPE? | Requires MINGOB Records? |
|---|---|---|
| US Immigrant Visa (Green Card) | Yes | Yes |
| US Non-Immigrant Visa (tourist, student) | Generally no | Generally no |
| Spain, Canada, Italy, Australia residency | Yes | Yes |
| Guatemalan government employment | Yes | Yes |
| Bank / financial institution employment | Yes | Yes |
| Private security employment | Yes | Yes |
| Adoption | Yes | Yes |
| Foreign naturalization | Yes (apostilled) | Yes (apostilled) |
| School / teaching employment | Yes | Yes |
| Generic foreign immigration process | Generally yes | Generally yes |
Requirements
- Current DPI — the 13-digit CUI on the DPI
- No payment — CAPE issuance is free (Q0) since 2026 (Ley de Gratuidad)
- Active email address — to receive confirmation and download code
- Internet connection — process is 100% online
- Printer or phone with camera — to download/show the PDF with QR
Step by step
- Go to cape.oj.gob.gt — official OJ portal. Verify the URL is exact (there are similar fraudulent sites).
- Click “Solicitar Constancia” — system takes you to identification form.
- Enter your CUI (13 digits of DPI). System auto-validates against RENAP roll — if your DPI is current, personal data fills automatically. If your data does not appear, first renew the DPI (Get DPI).
- Confirm your personal data — full name, date of birth, address. If RENAP has an error, the CAPE will issue with that data — correct first at RENAP if needed.
- Select certificate type — DIGITAL (immediate download) or PHYSICAL with stamp (pickup at OJ office). Both are free (Q0) since 2026. 95% of processes accept the digital one.
- Confirm the request — issuance has no cost. If you are prompted for payment details, remember the 2026 Ley de Gratuidad eliminated the CAPE fee.
- Receive code by email — alphanumeric code is your key to download the PDF.
- Download the PDF from the portal. Document includes verification QR code. Verify on the OJ system that the QR works before sending where needed.
- If apostille needed, take the printed PDF to MINEX (8a Avenida 5-10, Zona 1, MINEX Building). See: MINEX Apostille.
Cost and time
| Modality | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Digital CAPE (with QR) | Free (Q0) | Immediate (download) |
| Physical CAPE with OJ stamp | Free (Q0) | Same day (pickup at office) |
| Physical CAPE outside Guatemala City | Free (Q0) | 3-5 business days (shipping) |
| MINEX Apostille (if for foreign use) | Q75 additional (Q85 with timbres) | 1-3 business days |
Common mistakes
- Paying tramitadores Q200-Q500 to do it in your name — simple process, do it yourself at cape.oj.gob.gt in 5 minutes. If you live far from the capital, digital version avoids the trip.
- Requesting CAPE but forgetting MINGOB — most important processes require BOTH. Get them together to save time. See: MINGOB Police Records.
- Not apostilling for foreign use — CAPE without apostille has no validity outside Guatemala (except in countries that recognize Guatemalan documents without apostille, very few). If for US immigrant visa, residency in another country or migration process, apostille it.
- Getting it too early — CAPE is valid 6 months. If you get it too early, it expires before you use it. Calculate your process date and get it maximum 5 months before.
Diaspora — getting the CAPE from the USA
If you live in the USA and need the CAPE for US immigrant visa, foreign residency or any migration process, you can get it WITHOUT traveling to Guatemala:
- Go to cape.oj.gob.gt from the USA — the site accepts international access without issue
- Identify with your CUI — 13 digits of Guatemalan DPI. Works even when not physically in Guatemala.
- No payment — CAPE issuance is free (Q0) since 2026, so you don’t need a card for the document (you may still need one for the MINEX apostille if you handle it separately).
- Download the PDF with QR from the USA — digital copy has full validity.
- For apostille, two options: (a) Take/send to Guatemalan consulate in the USA — some consulates offer complementary services; (b) Send to family in Guatemala to handle the MINEX apostille (Q75, Q85 with timbres, 1-3 days) and ship back.
Diaspora tip: If your US process requires both CAPE OJ and MINGOB Records, get both online from the USA the same day and send to Guatemala to apostille both. Your family member visits MINEX once and ships both together. Saves time and shipping cost.
Related trámites
- Organismo Judicial Hub — all OJ trámites
- MINGOB Police Records — the OTHER record almost always required with CAPE
- MINEX Apostille — to use CAPE abroad
- Get DPI — needed for your CUI
- CUI/NIT Lookup — verify your CUI if you don’t remember the 13 digits