Guatemala Passport for First-Time Applicants 2026: Requirements, Cost USD $50/$85, Steps

In short: A first-time Guatemala passport costs USD $50 (5-year) or USD $85 (10-year, adults only), is paid exclusively at Banrural, requires a mandatory online appointment at servicios.igm.gob.gt/citasenlinea/, and is issued the same day in 6 of 7 nationwide offices.

This guide is for Guatemalan citizens who have never held a passport before. If you already had one and need to renew, see passport renewal — and before renewing, check whether you qualify for the free 18-month extension (saves $50).

The first-time process is nearly identical to adult renewal: same appointment, same fee, same core documents. The only practical difference is that you do not surrender a previous passport. No birth certificate is required for adults (only minors). In rare cases, if your DPI was issued less than 2 years ago, an IGM agent may request additional identity documentation.

Quick Facts

First-Time Passport Cost

Key payment notes:

• Payment is only accepted at Banrural — any branch or via Banrural online banking. No other bank is authorized.
• The quetzal amount is calculated at the official IGM exchange rate of the day the payment is made.
• The Banrural payment receipt is valid for 1 year: you can pay before securing a confirmed appointment.
• There is no surcharge for first-time applicants — you pay the same as a renewal.
• IGM warns: the appointment is free on the official portal. Do not pay intermediaries who offer to book faster.

Check the daily exchange rate to estimate the quetzal amount.

Adult Requirements (First-Time)

Only these 5 documents are needed:

1. Original valid DPI + photocopy of both sides on a single sheet (physical copy, not a photo)
2. Current Boleto de Ornato — original and copy (adults over 60 are exempt)
3. Original Banrural payment receipt ($50 or $85 depending on chosen validity)
4. Printed online appointment confirmation (generated by the portal when booking)
5. Application form — auto-generated when booking the appointment; printed and signed

Not required:

• Birth certificate (minors only)
• Previous passport (since this is first-time)
• Printed photos (biometric photo is taken on-site)
• Witnesses or notarized statements

Step-by-Step Process

1. Pay at Banrural. Go to any Banrural branch or use Banrural online banking. Specify it is an IGM passport payment and the validity (5 or 10 years). Keep the original receipt — without it the appointment cannot be processed.

2. Book your online appointment. Go to servicios.igm.gob.gt/citasenlinea/, select “Emisión de pasaportes”, enter the Banrural receipt number and personal data. Choose office, date and time from the available slots. Booking is free.

3. Print the appointment confirmation and form. The portal generates both documents. Print them and sign the form.

4. Arrive 10-30 minutes early at the office. Bring all 5 documents in original (DPI, Boleto de Ornato, payment receipt, appointment confirmation, signed form). Physical presence is mandatory.

5. Biometric capture. At the office, staff take your digital photo, fingerprints and electronic signature. No printed photos required.

6. Pick up your passport. In 6 of 7 offices, issuance is same-day (same day as the appointment). A few offices may take up to 3 business days — confirm when booking.

Offices and Hours

Guatemala has 7 official IGM passport-issuance offices:

National IGM phone: 2411-2411

Important: IGM officially states that of the 7 offices, 6 offer same-day issuance. The office that may not is likely Escuintla — CONFIRM when booking.

IGM also runs periodic Jornadas Móviles in departments without a permanent office (recent locations: Mazatenango, San Juan Tecuaco, Jalapa, Cubulco). Mobile jornadas use the same appointment portal.

Photo: Taken at the Office

You do not bring printed photos. The digital photo, fingerprints and signature are captured on-site during the appointment.

Tips for biometric capture:

• Wear a solid-color shirt, avoiding white (the background is white).
• No glasses (neither prescription nor sunglasses, except with medical justification).
• No hats or head coverings (except for religious reasons).
• No heavy makeup or colored contact lenses.
• Neutral expression, looking straight ahead.

CONFIRM: technical photo specifications are not published because the capture is on-site — IGM staff direct the pose.

5-Year vs 10-Year Passport

First-time recommendation (adults):

• 10-year if you are an adult and plan to travel regularly — saves one renewal cycle and ~$15 over the decade.
• 5-year if your appearance may change significantly (surgery, transition, weight changes) or if you prefer a lower upfront cost.

Minors under 18 can only get the 5-year passport — the 10-year option opens only at adulthood. See passport for minors for the specific requirements.

If You Live in the United States

Guatemalans in the U.S. can apply for a first-time passport at any of the 22 Guatemalan consulates without traveling to Guatemala. Key differences:

• Higher fee: USD $65 (5-year) or USD $100 (10-year) — $15 above the domestic fee.
• Different appointment portal: citas.minex.gob.gt, not the IGM portal.
• Payment: typically in cash USD or money order at the consulate (not Banrural).
• Timing: not always same-day — some consulates ship to Guatemala for production (4-8 weeks).

Full guide: Guatemala passport from the U.S..

Common Rejection Reasons

Official Links

• IGM — Online appointment portal
• IGM — Passport requirements
• IGM — Office locations and hours
• IGM — Passport fee schedule
• National phone: 2411-2411

Related Guides

• Guatemala passport — main hub
• Passport renewal (check the free 18-month extension before renewing)
• Passport for minors
• Get a DPI (prerequisite)
• Passport from the U.S.
• Daily exchange rate (to estimate quetzal payment)