Getting married in Guatemala involves both the ceremony and the civil registration at RENAP (Registro Nacional de las Personas). Unlike some countries where religious and civil marriages are separate events, Guatemala recognizes marriages performed before three types of authorities: a municipal alcalde (mayor), a notario (notary public), or a ministro de culto (minister of worship). Regardless of who performs the ceremony, the marriage must be inscribed at RENAP to be legally valid.
The most affordable option is marrying before the municipal mayor, which is entirely free. The Municipalidad de Guatemala even holds matrimonios colectivos (collective weddings) every month where dozens of couples marry simultaneously in a festive ceremony at no cost. If you prefer a private ceremony at a location of your choice, a notary will charge between Q500 and Q3,000 in professional fees.
Quick summary: Civil marriage before a mayor is free. Notary fees range from Q500-Q3,000. Both spouses need valid DPIs showing “soltero/a” status, recent birth certificates, medical certificates, and two witnesses. RENAP registration takes 1-2 weeks.
Prices verified April 2026. Check our exchange rate page for today’s USD/GTQ rate.
Cost
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Civil marriage before mayor | Free |
| Civil marriage before notary | Q500-Q3,000 (notary fees) |
| Notary ceremony outside office | Additional Q500-Q2,000 |
| Marriage certificate (RENAP) | Q25 |
| Birth certificate per person | Q15 |
| Medical certificate per person | Q50-Q200 |
| Capitulaciones matrimoniales (if foreign spouse) | Q500-Q1,500 |
Requirements
Both Spouses Must Present:
- DPI vigente with civil status showing “soltero/a” (single)
- Certificacion de nacimiento from RENAP — issued within the last 3 months
- Certificado medico — a medical certificate confirming physical health and absence of infectious/hereditary diseases
- Two witnesses with valid DPIs who are not family members
If One Spouse Is Foreign:
- Birth certificate from country of origin — apostilled or legalized
- Certificate of no impediment (certificado de solteria) from country of origin — apostilled or legalized
- Spanish translation by a sworn translator (traductor jurado) if documents are not in Spanish
- Capitulaciones matrimoniales — a prenuptial property agreement, mandatory when one spouse is a foreigner (processed before a notary)
Special Cases:
- Widows/widowers: Must present the death certificate of the previous spouse
- Divorced persons: Must present the divorce inscription from RENAP with updated civil status on DPI
- Minors (under 18): Marriage of minors has been prohibited in Guatemala since reforms to the Civil Code
RENAP main page (renap.gob.gt). Extended-hours announcements and new sede openings are posted here — check before traveling to an office.
Step-by-Step Process
Option 1: Marriage Before the Mayor (Free)
- Gather documents — DPIs, birth certificates, medical certificates
- Identify two witnesses — adults with valid DPIs, not family members
- Visit your municipality’s civil registry and request a marriage date
- Attend the ceremony — the mayor (or designated official) performs the ceremony at the municipal hall
- Sign the marriage act — both spouses and witnesses sign
- Municipality sends documentation to RENAP for inscription
- Request your marriage certificate at RENAP (Q25) once inscribed
Option 2: Marriage Before a Notary
- Choose a notary and agree on fees (Q500-Q3,000)
- Provide documents to the notary for review
- Notary prepares the marriage act (escritura publica)
- Ceremony — can be at the notary’s office or location of your choice
- Notary sends testimony to RENAP for inscription
- Request your marriage certificate at RENAP (Q25)
Option 3: Marriage Before a Minister of Worship
- Your church/religious institution handles the ceremony
- Minister must be legally authorized to perform civil marriages
- Minister sends documentation to RENAP for inscription
- Request your marriage certificate at RENAP (Q25)
Processing Time
- Ceremony scheduling: 1-4 weeks depending on the municipality
- RENAP inscription: 1-2 weeks after the ceremony
- Marriage certificate: Immediate once inscribed (available online at eportal.renap.gob.gt for Q25)
Collective Weddings (Matrimonios Colectivos)
The Municipalidad de Guatemala regularly holds free collective wedding ceremonies, usually the first Friday of each month at the Edificio de Correos (7a Avenida 12-11, Zone 1). These are festive events where the mayor personally officiates and marries all participating couples.
Requirements for collective weddings are the same as individual ceremonies before the mayor. Contact the Municipalidad de Guatemala at 1551 or visit muniguate.com for the next date.
Other municipalities around the country, including Mixco, Villa Nueva, and Quetzaltenango, also hold periodic collective weddings — check with your local municipality.
Details
If one or both spouses are foreign nationals, additional documentation and steps are required:
For the foreign spouse:
- Birth certificate from their home country, with apostille (Hague Convention countries) or legalization (non-Hague countries)
- Certificate of no impediment (certificado de solteria) — a document from their home country confirming they are legally free to marry. In the US, not all states issue this; an affidavit sworn before a notary public can substitute
- Sworn Spanish translation of all documents not in Spanish — must be done by a traductor jurado authorized in Guatemala (Q300-Q800 per document)
- Valid passport with current immigration status in Guatemala
Capitulaciones matrimoniales (mandatory): When one spouse is foreign, Guatemalan law requires a prenuptial property agreement (capitulaciones matrimoniales) signed before a notary. This document establishes which property regime will govern the marriage. Cost: Q500-Q1,500 in notary fees.
Common pitfalls:
- US documents need an apostille from the Secretary of State of the issuing state, NOT a notary stamp
- Some countries do not issue “certificates of no impediment” — check with the nearest Guatemalan consulate for accepted alternatives
- Processing time for document preparation is typically 2-4 weeks; do not leave it for the last minute
After the wedding:
- Register the marriage at a Guatemalan consulate if the foreign spouse wants it recognized in their home country
- For US immigration purposes, obtain the international marriage certificate (US$6) plus apostille from the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores
Details
Guatemala recognizes marriages performed by three authorities, but not all carry the same legal weight:
Civil marriage (before mayor or notary):
- Full legal standing from the moment the marriage act is signed
- Automatically inscribed at RENAP
- Governs property rights, inheritance, and legal obligations
Religious marriage (before minister of worship):
- Legally valid ONLY if the minister is registered with the Ministerio de Gobernacion as authorized to perform civil marriages
- Must be inscribed at RENAP — the minister is responsible for sending the documentation
- If the minister is NOT authorized, the ceremony is purely symbolic with no legal effect
Common misconception: Many Guatemalans believe a church wedding is automatically legally valid. It is not. If the minister did not send the documentation to RENAP, you are not legally married — regardless of how elaborate the ceremony was.
How to check: Request a marriage certificate at any RENAP office or at eportal.renap.gob.gt. If RENAP has no record of your marriage, it was never inscribed and you are legally single.
How to fix it: If your religious marriage was never registered, you have two options:
- Ask the minister to submit the original documentation to RENAP (if still available)
- Have a civil ceremony (before a mayor or notary) to formalize the union
Details
While the core requirements for civil marriage are set by the Civil Code and apply nationwide, individual municipalities may have procedural variations:
Guatemala City (Municipalidad de Guatemala):
- Collective weddings on the first Friday of each month
- Contact: 1551 or muniguate.com
- Documents must be submitted 1-2 weeks before the ceremony
Mixco:
- Individual and collective ceremonies available
- May require an additional municipal form
- Check current schedule with the Registro Civil
Antigua Guatemala (Sacatepequez):
- Popular destination weddings — notarial path recommended
- Notaries charge premium rates for destination ceremonies (Q3,000-Q5,000+)
- Some hotels coordinate with notaries for wedding packages
Rural municipalities:
- Smaller municipalities may only schedule marriages on specific days
- The alcalde auxiliar (auxiliary mayor) may officiate in some aldeas
- Medical certificates may need to come from the nearest health center, as private doctors are scarce
General advice: Call your municipality’s Registro Civil 2-3 weeks before your planned date to confirm their specific requirements and schedule.
From the US (Diaspora Info)
If one or both partners are Guatemalans living in the US:
- Consular marriages — Guatemalan consulates can register marriages performed in the US. The consular registration is free
- Getting married in Guatemala — you must both travel to Guatemala for the ceremony, as proxy marriages are not recognized
- US marriage recognition — a marriage performed in Guatemala is generally recognized in the US, but you may need an apostilled marriage certificate translated into English
- Document preparation — if the US-based spouse needs a certificate of no impediment, contact your county clerk or state vital records office. Some states do not issue this document, in which case an affidavit sworn before a notary public can substitute
Tips & Common Mistakes
Check your DPI civil status first. Your DPI must show “soltero/a.” If you were previously married and divorced, make sure your DPI has been updated to reflect your current status. This is the number one reason marriage applications get rejected.
Get fresh birth certificates. RENAP birth certificates older than 3 months are not accepted for marriage. Get new ones right before starting the process — they cost Q15 each at any RENAP office or online at eportal.renap.gob.gt.
Medical certificates expire quickly. Get them close to your ceremony date. Most doctors charge Q50-Q200 and issue them the same day.
Foreign documents take time. If your spouse is foreign, allow 2-4 weeks for apostilles, translations, and notarization. Sworn translators (traductores jurados) in Guatemala City charge Q300-Q800 per document depending on length.
Follow up on RENAP registration. The officiating authority is supposed to send the marriage act to RENAP, but delays happen. Check with RENAP 2 weeks after the ceremony to confirm your marriage was inscribed.
Common Errors and Solutions
DPI shows “casado/a” because a previous marriage was never inscribed
The most common cause of rejection. Even if you have been separated for years or believe you are “single,” if a previous civil marriage was never formally dissolved at RENAP, your DPI may still reflect it — or worse, you may be unaware of the situation entirely. Solution: request a “consulta de estado civil” at any RENAP office before starting the marriage process. If a prior marriage shows up, you must complete a divorce inscription and update your DPI first. See divorce inscription.
Birth certificate older than 3 months at the marriage appointment
Civil marriage requires birth certificates for both spouses issued within the last 3 months — stricter than the 6-month rule for most other procedures. Many couples gather documents weeks in advance and have certificates expire. Solution: request fresh birth certificates the same week as the ceremony (Q15 each, available at any RENAP office or eportal.renap.gob.gt).
Medical certificate rejected for being “too old”
Most municipalities and notaries require medical certificates issued within 30 days of the ceremony — some require within 15 days. Solution: schedule the medical certificate appointment 1-2 weeks before the ceremony, not earlier. Cost: Q50-Q200 depending on the clinic. Public health centers (centros de salud) issue them cheaper but with longer waits.
Foreign spouse cannot get a “certificate of no impediment” from their home country
Not all countries issue a certificate of no impediment to marry. The US is the most common example — most states do not issue one. Solution: an affidavit sworn before a US notary public, then apostilled by the state’s Secretary of State, is accepted by Guatemalan authorities as a substitute. Some consulates can issue guidance letters confirming this. Check with the specific Guatemalan consulate or notary handling your case before paying for translations.
Capitulaciones matrimoniales not completed before the ceremony
When one spouse is foreign, the prenuptial property agreement (capitulaciones matrimoniales) is mandatory and must be signed BEFORE the marriage ceremony, in front of a notary (Q500-Q1,500). Couples sometimes show up to the ceremony without this document and the officiant refuses to proceed. Solution: complete the capitulaciones at least 1-2 weeks before the wedding date.
Religious ceremony happened but RENAP has no marriage record
If the minister of worship was not legally authorized by the Ministerio de Gobernacion to perform civil marriages, or if the minister was authorized but failed to send the documentation, the marriage has no legal effect — regardless of how elaborate the ceremony was. Solution: request a marriage certificate at any RENAP office or eportal.renap.gob.gt. If RENAP has no record, you have two options: (1) ask the minister to submit the original documentation if still available; (2) marry again before a mayor or notary to formalize the union legally.
Officiating authority sent documents to RENAP but inscription is delayed
RENAP inscription typically takes 1-2 weeks after the ceremony, but it can stretch longer, especially from smaller municipalities. Solution: 2-3 weeks after the ceremony, check at RENAP whether the marriage is inscribed (you can search at eportal.renap.gob.gt). If not, contact the officiant — the mayor’s office, notary, or minister is responsible for sending the documentation and confirming it was received. RENAP does not chase officiants on your behalf.
After marriage, DPI still shows “soltero/a”
Updating civil status on the DPI is a separate step, not automatic. Both spouses should visit any RENAP office with the marriage certificate and request a DPI update (Q100 each). Solution: do this proactively after the inscription is confirmed — many subsequent procedures (joint bank accounts, IGSS beneficiary, property purchases, immigration filings) ask for DPIs that match your actual marital status.
Related RENAP Procedures
- Marriage Certificate — obtain a certified copy after inscription
- Birth Certificate — required for both spouses (within 3 months)
- DPI (National ID) — must show “soltero/a” status; update to “casado/a” after marriage
- Divorce Registration — must be completed before remarriage
- Union de Hecho — alternative to marriage for couples with 3+ years of cohabitation
Common Questions
How much does it cost to get married in Guatemala?
A civil marriage before a municipal mayor is completely free. Before a notary, expect to pay Q500 to Q3,000 in legal fees. Church marriages must also be registered civilly at RENAP (Q25 for the certificate).
Can a foreigner marry a Guatemalan citizen?
Yes. The foreign spouse must present a birth certificate and a certificate of no impediment (solteria) from their country of origin, both apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish if necessary. Capitulaciones matrimoniales (prenuptial property agreement) are mandatory when one spouse is foreign.
What are the matrimonios colectivos in Guatemala City?
The Municipalidad de Guatemala holds free collective wedding ceremonies, typically the first Friday of each month at the historic Edificio de Correos in Zone 1. Dozens of couples marry simultaneously in a ceremony presided over by the mayor. It is completely free and legally valid.
How long do I have to register the marriage at RENAP?
The marriage should be registered at RENAP promptly after the ceremony. The officiating authority (mayor, notary, or minister) is responsible for sending the documentation to RENAP for inscription. If they fail to do so, you should follow up directly.
Is a religious wedding legally valid in Guatemala?
Yes, if the minister of worship is legally authorized to perform civil marriages and registers the ceremony with RENAP. A purely religious ceremony without civil registration has no legal standing for purposes of property rights, inheritance, or immigration.