The single-status certificate (officially constancia de soltería or negative-marriage certification) is the document RENAP issues confirming that you are NOT currently married. The Guatemalan diaspora in the US, Spain, Mexico, and other countries needs it to legally marry abroad.
Quick answer: Costs Q15 (~$2 USD), immediate if requested online via eportal.renap.gob.gt, and for use outside Guatemala you need to apostille it at MINEX for an additional Q30. Typical international validity: 6 months at the wedding date. If you are divorced, RENAP issues a certificate stating “single by divorce” but some countries also require an apostilled divorce certificate.
Request your single-status certificate online
Fastest method: electronic certification via RENAP eportal. Download digitally signed PDF in minutes.
Go to eportal.renap.gob.gt →Before you click, have ready:
- Your CUI number (the 13 digits on your DPI)
- RENAP eportal account (prior registration with email)
- Credit or debit card if paying online (Q15)
- Know whether you need an apostille (use outside Guatemala)
- Email address to receive the PDF
Cost: Q15 + Q30 apostille · Time: Immediate to 5 days · RENAP phone: 1516 · Verified May 2026
What is the single-status certificate?
The single-status certificate (technically a negative-marriage certification) is the official document where RENAP certifies that no current marriage is registered in your name. That is: you are currently single.
There are three categories of people who request it:
- Single without prior marriages: never married.
- Divorced: previously married but the marriage was dissolved and the ruling was registered at RENAP.
- Widowed: spouse died and the death was registered at RENAP.
In all three cases RENAP issues the certificate, but the wording and category vary. Some destination countries have additional requirements for divorced or widowed persons (see Diaspora section).
Requirements
Online modality (eportal.renap.gob.gt)
- RENAP eportal account (prior registration with CUI, email, password).
- Valid CUI.
- Credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard) or online banking payment.
- Active email address to receive the PDF.
In-person modality (RENAP office)
- Valid DPI of applicant.
- Payment receipt Q15 (Banrural, GyT Continental, Bantrab).
- Pre-booking via eportal recommended (walk-ins also served, but with line).
For apostille (international use)
- Original RENAP certificate (not photocopy).
- DPI or passport of applicant.
- Payment receipt Q30 (MINEX apostille, Banrural).
- Procedure at MINEX, main office zone 4 or department offices.
Step-by-step (online modality)
Go to eportal. Open eportal.renap.gob.gt in your browser.
Sign in. First time, register with CUI, email, password. If you already have an account, sign in.
Select Certification Request. In the main menu, find Certificaciones or Constancias.
Pick Constancia de Solteria (or “Negativa de Matrimonio”). The system will show available options.
Select delivery modality. Two options:
- Electronic (digitally signed PDF, immediate download, valid 30 days within Guatemala).
- Physical (RENAP security paper, pickup at office or domestic postal mailing).
Online payment. Q15 with card. You receive email confirmation.
Download PDF. In electronic modality, the PDF arrives by email within minutes. You can also download from Mis Solicitudes on eportal.
Verify the document. Make sure your name, birth date, and CUI are correct. The digital signature can be verified at validacion.renap.gob.gt.
Step-by-step (in-person modality)
Book appointment via RENAP eportal. Select “Certification on security paper”.
Pay Q15 at Banrural, GyT Continental, or Bantrab. Keep the receipt.
Show up at the office on the appointment day with valid DPI and payment receipt.
Request the certificate at the window. Service time: 15-30 minutes with appointment.
Pick up the physical document the same day.
Cost and timing
| Modality | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic certificate (eportal PDF) | Q15 | Immediate (minutes) |
| Physical certificate at office | Q15 | 15-30 min with appointment |
| Physical certificate with domestic postal | Q15 + shipping cost | 3-5 days |
| MINEX apostille (for international use) | Q30 | 1-3 days |
| Total for use in USA, Spain, Mexico | Q45 | 2-5 days total |
Common errors and how to avoid them
Requesting electronic certificate for international use: the MINEX apostille is only done on physical security-paper certificates. If you request an electronic PDF for use in the US, your apostille will be rejected. Always request the physical modality if you need to apostille it.
Apostilling too late and expiring: many countries require the document be less than 6 months old at the wedding date, not at issuance date. Plan timing: if your wedding is 8 months away, wait until you have the venue/court date confirmed before requesting it, so it doesn’t expire.
Forgetting that divorced or widowed need extra documents: if you were married before, the certificate includes you as “single” but some countries also require the divorce certificate or death certificate of the prior spouse, all apostilled. Verify with the destination country consulate.
Photocopy or scan instead of apostilled original: destination country authorities want the original with MINEX apostille seal. A photocopy doesn’t work, even if certified by a notary.
Translating with a non-sworn translator: if you go to a country that doesn’t speak Spanish (US, Germany, France, etc.), you typically need certified translation by a sworn translator registered in the destination country. Translation is done after having the apostille.
Diaspora and international use
This is the most important section because almost all single-status certificate applicants want it to marry abroad.
United States
Most states do NOT require it because the marriage license application at the county clerk includes a sworn statement of single status. However:
- Some conservative states (Texas, Florida, certain counties) do request it from foreign nationals.
- Catholic religious weddings typically require it regardless of the state.
- If you marry a US citizen and will process a K-1 visa or adjustment of status, USCIS may request documents from your country of origin proving your civil status. The apostilled certificate fulfills this role.
Verify ahead: call the county clerk where you will marry and specifically ask “do you require a single status certificate from the country of origin for foreign nationals?”. If they say no, you save the procedure. If they say yes, bring it apostilled.
Spain
Yes, required. The Spanish Civil Registry requires:
- Literal birth certification (RENAP, less than 6 months, apostilled).
- Apostilled single-status certificate (less than 3 months at the marriage date in many cases).
- Empadronamiento certificate if you reside in Spain.
- DNI/NIE or passport.
- If previously married: divorce certification or death certification of prior spouse, apostilled.
Mexico
Yes, required at most civil registry offices. Similar requirements to Spain (apostilled, less than 6 months).
Italy, France, Germany, United Kingdom
Generally required plus sworn translation into local language. Some countries also require a “Nulla Osta” (Italy) obtained at the Guatemalan consulate in the destination country.
Diaspora checklist
Before traveling to Guatemala (or asking family) to handle:
- Call the destination country consulate and request the official list of requirements for foreign nationals marrying there.
- Confirm required validity (3 months, 6 months, other).
- Request physical + apostille, NOT electronic.
- If divorced: also request apostilled divorce certification.
- If widowed: request apostilled death certification of deceased spouse.
- Reserve time for sworn translation in the destination country (not done in Guatemala for foreign validity).
US-state-by-state quick reference
This is general guidance — always verify with the specific county clerk:
| US state | Single-status certificate typically required? |
|---|---|
| California | No (marriage application includes affidavit) |
| Texas | Sometimes (depends on county) |
| Florida | Sometimes (depends on county) |
| New York | No (NYC clerk does not require) |
| Illinois | No |
| New Jersey | No |
| Massachusetts | Rarely |
| Georgia | Sometimes for foreign nationals |
| North Carolina | Some counties yes |
| Virginia | No |
| Maryland | No |
For Catholic religious ceremonies in any state, expect the diocese to require it regardless.
Validity (important)
- For use in Guatemala: no explicit legal validity, but institutions usually request it be recent (3-6 months).
- For international use: depends on destination country. Typically:
- USA: 6 months
- Spain: 3-6 months (varies by autonomous community)
- Mexico: 6 months
- Italy: 6 months
- United Kingdom: 3 months
Calculate carefully: validity is counted to the wedding date, not to the application date.
Related procedures
- Main hub: all RENAP procedures
- MINEX apostille — next step for international use
- Birth certification — usually required alongside
- Marriage certification — if you are already married
- Divorce registration — for divorced who need to prove the divorce
- Death certification — for widowed who need to prove spouse death
- Book appointment on eportal RENAP
- Civil marriage registration in Guatemala
Official links
- eportal.renap.gob.gt — Citizen Portal (online application)
- renap.gob.gt - Services
- validacion.renap.gob.gt — verify authenticity of digitally signed PDF
- Official RENAP fee schedule (PDF)
- MINEX - Apostille — to apostille the certificate
- RENAP phone: 1516 (toll-free in Guatemala) or +502 2412-1700 from abroad
Verified May 2026. Validity periods and requirements in destination countries can change. Always verify with the Guatemalan consulate or civil registry office of the country where you will marry before traveling to handle the procedure.