The constancia de antecedentes policiacos is a certificate issued by Guatemala’s Policia Nacional Civil (PNC) confirming whether or not a person has police records. Along with the antecedentes penales (criminal background check from the Organismo Judicial), this is one of the two background check documents that virtually every formal employer in Guatemala requires during the hiring process.
The PNC modernized this process several years ago, and today you can get your antecedentes policiacos entirely online through policiales.pnc.gob.gt. As of 2026, this document is FREE under the Ley de Gratuidad. There is no fee charged by PNC (Policía Nacional Civil) for issuing antecedentes policiacos. If you prefer to do it in person, you can visit the PNC headquarters or any authorized comisaria.
Quick summary: FREE as of 2026 under the Ley de Gratuidad, available online at policiales.pnc.gob.gt, delivered as PDF the same day. Valid for 6 months. Requires a valid boleto de ornato.
Fee updated April 2026 — Ley de Gratuidad made this document free. Check our exchange rate page for today’s USD/GTQ rate if you need an apostille.
Cost
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Police background certificate | FREE (Q0) | 2026 Ley de Gratuidad |
| Boleto de ornato (municipal tax) | Q5-Q150 | Depends on income bracket — see boleto de ornato guide |
| Bank commission | Not applicable | No payment required for the certificate itself |
As of 2026, this document is FREE under the Ley de Gratuidad. There is no fee charged by PNC (Policía Nacional Civil) for issuing antecedentes policiacos. You still need a current boleto de ornato, which is the annual municipal tax (not a PNC fee).
Requirements
- DPI vigente (valid national ID) — for Guatemalan citizens
- Pasaporte vigente — for foreign nationals (no DPI needed)
- Boleto de ornato for the current year — the annual municipal tax. People over 65 are exempt per Decreto 121-96, Art. 4
- No payment required for the certificate — document is free as of 2026
Step-by-Step Process
- Pay your boleto de ornato if you have not done so this year (at your municipality or Banrural)
- Go to policiales.pnc.gob.gt — as of 2026, no payment is required under the Ley de Gratuidad
- Register with your personal details (name, DPI number, email, phone)
- Submit the request — the system validates your DPI and ornato status
- Receive an email with a link to download your certificate as PDF
- Download and print your certificate — the PDF includes a QR verification code
- Go to the PNC Central Headquarters — 6a Avenida 13-71, Zone 1, Guatemala City. Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. No payment required as of 2026
- Present your documents: DPI (original + photocopy) and boleto de ornato
- Have your photo and fingerprints taken at the office
- Receive your certificate — same day at headquarters, may take 1 business day at comisarias
Alternative locations for in-person processing:
| Location | Address | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PNC Headquarters | 6a Av. 13-71, Zone 1, Guatemala City | Primary office, same-day |
| Comisaria 11 | Zone 11, Guatemala City | May take 1 day |
| Comisaria 13 | Zone 13, Guatemala City | May take 1 day |
| Departmental PNC offices | Varies by department | Call ahead — not all issue certificates |
- Verify your boleto de ornato is current — if not, ask a trusted person in Guatemala to pay it at the municipality or through Banrural. Some municipalities accept payment through Banrural’s network nationwide
- Go to policiales.pnc.gob.gt — as of 2026, no payment is required under the Ley de Gratuidad. The platform works from any country
- Complete the request using your DPI number
- Download the PDF certificate — it is digitally valid and includes a QR code for verification
- If you need an apostille — a representative in Guatemala will need to take the certificate to the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores for apostille processing. This is required for US immigration and some legal proceedings
Getting the document from the US:
| Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Direct download (recommended) | Request online — free as of 2026, PDF delivered by email, no bank payment needed |
| Gestor (professional agent) | For apostille handling — Q100-Q300 for full service including MINEX apostille |
Processing Time
- Online: Same day — certificates are usually generated within 1-4 hours
- In person (headquarters): Same day, typically within 2 hours
- In person (comisarias): 1-2 business days
- Validity: 6 months from date of issuance (Acuerdo Gubernativo 97-2009)
When You Need This Document
The antecedentes policiacos are required by law or regulation for:
| Purpose | Legal Basis | Also Need Penales? |
|---|---|---|
| Formal employment | Codigo de Trabajo, Art. 87 | Yes |
| Government contracts | Ley de Contrataciones del Estado | Yes |
| Vehicle deregistration | SAT regulations — vehicle guide | No |
| Professional licenses | Varies by profession | Yes |
| Security guard licensing | DIPRONA regulations | Yes |
| Firearm permits | Decreto 15-2009, Art. 24 (DIGECAM) | Yes |
| Immigration procedures | Varies by destination country | Usually yes |
| Banking (large transactions) | SIB regulations for compliance | Sometimes |
| Real estate transactions | Some notaries require for property transfers | Sometimes |
| Adoption proceedings | Ley de Adopciones | Yes |
Details
A record on your antecedentes policiacos does not automatically disqualify you from employment or procedures. Here is what to know:
- Employers evaluate case-by-case — a minor traffic incident is treated differently than a serious offense. Guatemalan labor law does not permit blanket rejections based on police records alone.
- Records can be cleared — if charges were dropped, you were acquitted, or the case was resolved, you can request the PNC to update your record. Bring court documentation (sentencia absolutoria or sobreseimiento) to PNC headquarters.
- Errors happen — if your antecedentes show a record that is not yours (identity confusion, clerical error), file a formal complaint at PNC headquarters. Bring your DPI and any supporting documents. Resolution takes 15-30 business days.
- Sealed/expunged records — Guatemala’s Codigo Procesal Penal allows for rehabilitation (rehabilitacion) after certain periods. Consult a lawyer to determine eligibility.
Details
Institutions can verify the authenticity of your certificate:
- QR code — the PDF certificate includes a QR code that links to the PNC verification system
- Verification URL — employers and institutions can verify at policiales.pnc.gob.gt using the certificate number
- Digital vs. printed — both are equally valid. The digital PDF is the official document; the printed version is a convenience copy
- Fraud warning — presenting falsified antecedentes is a criminal offense under Guatemala’s Codigo Penal (Art. 321 — falsedad material, Art. 322 — falsedad ideologica). Penalties include 2-6 years imprisonment.
Details
- Over 65: Exempt from boleto de ornato requirement (Decreto 121-96, Art. 4) but still need the certificate itself
- Foreigners: Use passport number instead of DPI. Some nationalities may need additional documentation — verify at PNC headquarters
- Minors under 18: Generally not required. For travel authorization or custody cases, a parent/guardian requests with birth certificate and guardian’s DPI
- Diplomats: Exempt under Vienna Convention. Processed through the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores
- Disability accommodations: PNC headquarters has accessible facilities. Call ahead (2329-1510) to arrange assistance
Details
| Rejection Reason | How to Fix |
|---|---|
| Expired DPI | Renew at RENAP — DPI guide |
| No boleto de ornato | Pay at your municipality or Banrural |
| System says “DPI not found” | Verify your DPI number; if correct, go in person |
| Name mismatch | If your DPI name differs from other records, bring supporting documents in person |
Tips & Common Mistakes
Get both documents at once. Since most employers require both the antecedentes penales and the policiacos, plan to get them on the same day — both are free as of 2026.
Do not forget your boleto de ornato. This is the most common reason people get turned away. Even for the online process, the system may verify your ornato status. Pay it early in January to avoid complications all year. Note: ornato is a separate municipal tax, not a PNC fee.
No payment receipt needed. As of 2026, the Ley de Gratuidad removed the Q30 fee, so no bank payment or receipt is required to start the online process.
Foreigners use their passport number. If you are a foreign national, you process antecedentes policiacos with your passport — you do not need a DPI. Make sure your passport is not expired.
Print multiple copies. Some institutions keep the original and do not return it. Print at least 3 copies so you do not have to repeat the process.
Check the expiration window. The certificate is valid for 6 months. If your hiring process or visa application might take longer, time your request accordingly — getting it too early wastes it.
Verify the PDF downloads correctly. Some browsers block the download. If the link in the email does not work, try a different browser or clear your cache.