The certificacion de matrimonio (marriage certificate) is the official RENAP document proving that a marriage has been legally registered in Guatemala’s civil registry. You need this document for a surprising number of situations — from immigration applications (spouse visas) to divorce proceedings, from inheritance claims to updating your DPI after marriage.

Getting a marriage certificate from RENAP is straightforward and inexpensive. It costs just Q25 and can be obtained at any RENAP office in the country within minutes, or requested online through the electronic portal from anywhere in the world. If you know the specific record details (libro, partida, and folio numbers), the process is even faster.

For Guatemalans in the diaspora, the marriage certificate is often needed for US immigration petitions — particularly for spousal visa applications and adjustment of status proceedings. In these cases, you typically need the international version (US$6) plus an apostille, and potentially a certified English translation.

Quick summary: Costs Q25 (~$3 USD). Available at any RENAP office (immediate) or online at eportal.renap.gob.gt (1-3 days). Can be requested from anywhere in the world. Consular registration of marriage is free.

Prices verified March 2026. Check our exchange rate page for today’s USD/GTQ rate.

Cost

Type Cost
Standard marriage certificate Q25
Legalized marriage certificate Q50
International certificate US$6
Consular registration Free

Requirements

  • DPI del solicitante — your national ID
  • Marriage record data — libro, partida, and folio numbers (if known)
  • If you do not have the record numbers, provide: full names of both spouses, approximate date and place of marriage
  • Payment of Q25

How to Get It

Option 1: In Person at Any RENAP Office

  1. Visit any RENAP office nationwide
  2. Present your DPI and provide the marriage record details
  3. Pay Q25
  4. Receive the certificate — usually within minutes
  5. Request legalization if needed (Q50 additional)

Option 2: Online Through eportal.renap.gob.gt

  1. Visit eportal.renap.gob.gt
  2. Log in or create an account
  3. Select “Certificacion de Matrimonio”
  4. Enter the marriage record data or personal details
  5. Pay Q25 by card or electronic transfer
  6. Receive the certificate as a digitally signed PDF (1-3 business days)

Option 3: At a Guatemalan Consulate

  1. Visit your nearest Guatemalan consulate
  2. Request the certificate with your marriage details
  3. Pay the consular fee
  4. Processing: 1-2 weeks typically

When You Need This Document

Marriage certificates are commonly required for:

  • Immigration applications — US spouse visa petitions (I-130), adjustment of status, consular processing
  • Divorce proceedings — the court requires the marriage certificate to process a divorce
  • Inheritance — proving marital status for succession rights
  • Insurance — adding a spouse as beneficiary, life insurance claims
  • Property transactions — proving marital property rights (Guatemala has community property rules)
  • DPI update — changing civil status from “soltero/a” to “casado/a” on your national ID
  • IGSS (social security) — registering a spouse as a beneficiary
  • Foreign credential authentication — some countries require proof of marital status

From the US (Diaspora Info)

For Guatemalans in the United States needing marriage certificates:

  • Online portal is the fastest — eportal.renap.gob.gt works globally. The digital certificate is legally valid in Guatemala
  • For US immigration — you will need the international version (US$6) from RENAP, plus an apostille from the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores in Guatemala. Have a family member handle the apostille and mail you the original
  • Certified English translation — US immigration (USCIS) requires a certified English translation of Guatemalan marriage certificates. Use a certified translator (not just any bilingual person)
  • If you married in the US — register the marriage at a Guatemalan consulate (free). This creates a record in Guatemala’s civil registry, which you can then certify through RENAP
  • Consulates can issue certificates — if your marriage is already registered in the Guatemalan system, consulates can issue certified copies

Tips & Common Mistakes

  1. Know your record numbers. If you have the libro, partida, and folio numbers from your marriage act, the process is nearly instant. If you do not, RENAP can search by name and date, but it may take longer. Check your original marriage act or a previous certificate for these numbers.

  2. Register US marriages at the consulate. If you married in the United States, the marriage is valid but may not be in RENAP’s system. Register it at a Guatemalan consulate (free) so that you can easily obtain Guatemalan marriage certificates in the future.

  3. Order multiple copies for immigration. If you are filing a US visa petition, you may need certified marriage certificates for USCIS, the National Visa Center, and the consular interview. Order at least 3 copies.

  4. Update your DPI after marriage. Many people forget to update their DPI to show “casado/a” after getting married. This can cause problems down the road — especially if you need to prove marital status for legal matters. Visit any RENAP office to update your DPI (Q100).

  5. Apostille takes time. If you need an apostilled marriage certificate for use abroad, the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores processes apostilles in Guatemala City. Budget 1-2 weeks for this step — it cannot be done online.