Divorce in Guatemala is handled through the Juzgados de Familia (Family Courts) under the Organismo Judicial. Once the court issues a final resolution dissolving the marriage, the divorce must be inscribed at RENAP to update both spouses’ civil status from “casado/a” to “divorciado/a.” Only after RENAP processes the inscription can you obtain a new DPI reflecting your changed status.
Guatemala recognizes two main types of divorce: voluntario (mutual agreement) and contencioso (contested). The voluntary path is significantly faster, cheaper, and less emotionally draining. Since the modernization of family courts, voluntary divorce hearings can now be conducted online via videoconference, making the process accessible even for couples where one spouse lives abroad.
Quick summary: Voluntary divorce takes about 15 days and costs Q3,000-Q5,000 in legal fees. Contested divorce can take 6+ months and cost Q8,000-Q10,000+. RENAP registration is free. Online hearings are available for voluntary cases.
Prices verified March 2026. Check our exchange rate page for today’s USD/GTQ rate.
Cost
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Voluntary divorce (lawyer fees) | Q3,000-Q5,000 |
| Contested divorce (lawyer fees) | Q8,000-Q10,000+ |
| RENAP inscription of divorce | Free |
| New DPI (updated civil status) | Q100 |
| Certified copy of court resolution | Q10-Q50 |
Types of Divorce
Voluntary Divorce (Divorcio Voluntario)
- Both spouses agree to dissolve the marriage
- Minimum marriage duration: 1 year
- Must agree on: child custody, child support, property division, and spousal support
- Hearing: Can be conducted online via videoconference
- Duration: Approximately 15 days
- One spouse can be represented by a lawyer with a judicial mandate (mandato judicial)
Contested Divorce (Divorcio Ordinario)
- One spouse files without the other’s agreement
- Legal grounds required: abandonment, domestic violence, infidelity, mutual separation for more than 1 year, or other causes listed in the Civil Code
- Duration: 3-6 months or longer depending on complexity
- Requires evidence and testimony before the judge
Requirements
- DPIs of both spouses
- Marriage certificate from RENAP (certificacion de matrimonio)
- Birth certificates of minor children (if applicable)
- Convenio regulador (regulatory agreement) covering child custody, support, property, and alimony — for voluntary divorce
- Lawyer — legal representation is mandatory for all divorce proceedings
Step-by-Step Process (Voluntary Divorce)
- Hire a lawyer — mandatory for divorce proceedings
- Draft the convenio regulador — the agreement covering custody, support, and property division
- File the petition at a Juzgado de Familia
- Court schedules a hearing — typically within 4-7 days
- Attend the hearing — in person or online via videoconference
- Judge issues resolution — if all requirements are met, the divorce is granted
- Wait for the resolution to become final (firmeza)
- Obtain certified copy of the court resolution
- Present resolution at RENAP for inscription
- RENAP updates civil status (1-2 weeks)
- Process a new DPI with updated civil status (Q100)
Processing Time
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| Filing to hearing (voluntary) | 4-7 days |
| Court resolution (voluntary) | ~15 days total |
| Court resolution (contested) | 3-6+ months |
| RENAP inscription | 1-2 weeks |
| New DPI processing | 30 business days |
Specialized Family Court
In Guatemala City, divorce cases are handled by the Juzgados de Primera Instancia de Familia, located at:
Centro de Justicia de Familia 21 Calle 7-70, Zone 1, Guatemala City Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00-15:30
Outside the capital, the local Juzgado de Primera Instancia handles family matters.
From the US (Diaspora Info)
Guatemalans living in the United States can process a voluntary divorce without returning to Guatemala:
- Online hearings — family courts now offer videoconference hearings for voluntary divorces. Your lawyer coordinates the technical setup
- Power of attorney — you can grant a mandato judicial to your lawyer, allowing them to represent you in all proceedings without your physical presence
- Your spouse in Guatemala handles their part in person or also through a lawyer
- Consular assistance — the Guatemalan consulate can notarize your power of attorney for use in Guatemala. It will need an apostille
- After the divorce — you will need to visit a RENAP office or consulate to process your new DPI with the updated civil status. Mobile RENAP units at US consulates can handle this during their periodic visits
- US recognition — a Guatemalan divorce is generally recognized in the US, but check your state’s specific requirements. Some states require the divorce decree to be registered locally
Tips & Common Mistakes
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Start with a clear agreement. The fastest voluntary divorces happen when both spouses have already agreed on everything before the lawyer files. Disagreements on custody or property can delay a “voluntary” divorce by weeks or months.
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Update your DPI immediately. Your old DPI showing “casado/a” will cause problems if you try to remarry or handle certain legal matters. Process the new DPI as soon as RENAP inscribes the divorce.
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Protect your assets before filing. If you suspect a contested divorce is coming, consult a lawyer about asset protection. Joint bank accounts and shared property can become complicated during proceedings.
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Notify RENAP yourself if needed. The court is supposed to send the resolution to RENAP, but bureaucratic delays happen. Bring a certified copy of the court resolution to RENAP yourself to ensure timely inscription.
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Children’s needs come first. Judges in Guatemala take child welfare very seriously. If your convenio regulador does not adequately address child support and custody, the judge will reject it and ask for amendments — which adds time.