Legal Name Change Guatemala 2026: RENAP + Judicial Process

Legally changing your name or surname in Guatemala is NOT done directly at RENAP. It requires first a judicial process or voluntary notarial jurisdiction, and only after the final ruling can RENAP perform the partida rectification on your birth record.

Quick answer: You need an attorney. Total cost Q500-2000 + Q50 RENAP. Total time 3-9 months (judicial + RENAP + new DPI). The Civil Code requires justified cause: registration error, ridiculous name, moral/religious grounds, gender identity, adoption, marriage, or divorce.

What is a name or surname change?

In Guatemala the name is a personality right regulated by the Civil Code (Decree-Law 106), articles 4 through 7. The law recognizes that a person can change their name or surname when there is justified cause.

There are two procedural paths:

1. Judicial path (family or civil court): for contentious or complex cases.
2. Voluntary notarial jurisdiction (Decree 25-1997): if there is no third-party opposition, a notary can handle the case outside court. It’s faster and cheaper.

Both paths end with a final ruling that is registered at RENAP via partida rectification.

Causes recognized by the Civil Code

The judge or notary evaluates the cause. The most common and accepted ones:

• Error in original registration: misspelled name, surnames swapped, missing letter.
• Ridiculous, dignity-harming, or mockable name: extravagant names registered without discretion.
• Serious moral, religious, or social grounds: religious conversion, negative association with a known person.
• Gender identity: for trans persons (growing case law since 2020).
• Adoption: the adopted person can take the adopters’ surnames.
• Marriage (married surname): a wife can add “de [husband surname]” as an addition.
• Divorce (recovery of maiden surname): if she adopted husband’s surname during marriage.
• Paternity recognition or disavowal: changes the paternal surname after a filiation suit.

Mere whim or “I don’t like my name” is NOT accepted.

Requirements

To start the process

• Memorial signed by an active licensed attorney: personal direct applications are not accepted.
• Valid birth certification (issued within the last 6 months by RENAP). Request it at eportal.renap.gob.gt.
• DPI photocopy of the applicant (both sides, legible).
• Criminal background check current (Judicial Branch; Q40 online via oj.gob.gt).
• Police background check current (PNC; Q50).
• Documentary justification of the cause: records, photos, witnesses, psychological evaluations (for gender identity), adoption certification, etc.
• Published edict: the change is published in the Diario de Centro America (official gazette) and in a major-circulation newspaper so legitimate third parties can object within 10 days. Cost Q50-150 each publication.

For RENAP rectification (after ruling)

• Final judicial resolution or voluntary notarial jurisdiction public deed, properly certified.
• Application memorial (attorney).
• Original birth certification that will be modified.
• Valid DPI of the applicant.
• Payment receipt Q50 (Banrural).

Step-by-step

1. Consult with an attorney. Pick a civil or family lawyer. Ask for a clear quote: includes fees, publication costs, background checks, court trips.

2. Document gathering. Collect birth certification, DPI, background checks, evidence of the cause.

3. Decide path: judicial (court) or notarial (voluntary jurisdiction). The attorney recommends based on the case.

   • Notarial: faster (2-4 months), cheaper, valid if there’s no opposition.
   • Judicial: slower (4-8 months), but mandatory if minors are involved, family opposition, or sensitive cases.

4. Open the file. The attorney files a memorial at court or formalizes it before a notary. A case number is assigned.

5. Edict publication. The notice is published in Diario de Centro America and one other newspaper. Opposition window: 10 business days.

6. Hearing (judicial path only). The judge may request appearance, witnesses, psychological exam. Notarial: usually no hearing.

7. Final ruling. If no opposition or objections, judge or notary issues the resolution. Timeframe: 30-60 more days after edict.

8. RENAP rectification. With the ruling in hand, file the application at the RENAP office in your municipality or Sede Central. Pay Q50. Time: 5-15 business days.

9. Renew DPI. Once the partida is rectified, book an appointment on eportal RENAP to renew DPI with the new name. Cost Q100. Time 30 days.

10. Update everything else: NIT at SAT (free), passport (Q420), bank, IGSS, employer, vendors, academic records, property registries.

Cost and timing breakdown

Common errors and how to avoid them

• Thinking it’s done directly at RENAP: RENAP does NOT accept name change applications without a final judicial or notarial ruling. Don’t waste the trip.

• Choosing judicial path when notarial is viable: if your case isn’t contentious (no opposition), voluntary notarial jurisdiction is 50-70% faster and cheaper.

• Not publishing the edict correctly: the edict must be published in Diario de Centro America (mandatory) and a major-circulation newspaper. If you only publish in one, the judge/notary cannot issue the ruling. Verify required publications with your attorney.

• Not keeping a copy of the final ruling: when you collect the sentence or deed, request additional certified copies. You need them for RENAP, bank, SAT, and other future procedures.

• Forgetting to update other records: your name changes legally from the rectification, but if your bank account, NIT, IGSS, or passport stay with the old name, you create problems. Make a checklist and update in priority order: DPI first, then SAT, then bank, then passport.

• Not considering impact on minors: if you have minor children, changing your surname can affect their paternal or maternal surname registration. Consult an attorney first.

Special cases

Change by marriage (wife adds husband’s surname)

In Guatemala, marriage does NOT automatically change the surname. The wife keeps her maiden surnames. If she wants to add the husband’s surname preceded by “de” (example: Maria Garcia de Lopez), it’s registered as an addition, not a change. The procedure is simpler:

• Present marriage certification at RENAP.
• Request surname addition as marginal annotation on birth record.
• Cost Q50, no judicial process.

Recovery of maiden surname after divorce

If the wife adopted “de [husband surname]” during marriage and in the divorce wants to recover only maiden surnames:

• The divorce ruling must explicitly mention recovery of maiden surname.
• With the final ruling, request rectification at RENAP.
• If the ruling didn’t mention it, a separate suit or voluntary jurisdiction can be filed.

See divorce registration.

Change by gender identity

Increasing cases since 2020. Some courts accept voluntary notarial jurisdiction with a psychological report; others require full judicial path. Consult organizations like OTRANS Reinas de la Noche or LGBTQ associations that provide specialized legal assistance.

Change by adoption

After an adoption ruling, the adopted person’s surnames automatically change to the adopters’. RENAP rectification is done by presenting the adoption ruling. Cost Q50.

Related procedures

• Main hub: all RENAP procedures
• Partida rectification — the final step at RENAP after the ruling
• Birth certification — base document required
• Get or renew DPI — to obtain DPI with the new name
• Civil marriage registration
• Divorce registration
• Book appointment on eportal RENAP — to attend the rectification appointment

Official links

• renap.gob.gt - Services — official procedures page
• eportal.renap.gob.gt — portal for booking and online services
• RENAP document validation
• Guatemala Civil Code (PDF, OAS) — articles 4-7 on the name
• Judicial Branch - Criminal background — for processing background checks online
• RENAP phone: 1516 (toll-free in Guatemala) or +502 2412-1700 from abroad

Verified May 2026. Judicial costs and attorney fees can vary by region, complexity, and professional. Publication fees in official newspapers update periodically. Consult a licensed civil or family attorney to evaluate your specific case.