Getting married in Guatemala as a foreigner, step by step
A civil wedding before a notary, at our office in Zona 10, a hotel or a restaurant. We review the foreign partner's documents in advance and register the marriage with RENAP in about 20 days.
At a glance
- Ceremony
- Office, hotel or restaurant
- Book
- About one month in advance
- Registration
- RENAP, about 20 days
- Fees
- Free quote on WhatsApp
Key facts
- Service
- Civil marriage before a Guatemalan notary
- Where
- Our office in Zona 10, or a hotel or restaurant you choose
- Foreign partner
- Passport, apostilled birth certificate and apostilled certificate of single status, translated if not in Spanish
- Prenuptial agreement
- Required when the bride is Guatemalan and the groom is a foreigner, and in other cases set by law
- Registration
- With RENAP, about 20 days after the ceremony
- Fees
- Free quote on WhatsApp
Is this for you?
Common situations we see.
A Guatemalan marrying a foreigner
The most frequent case. The prenuptial agreement may be mandatory.
A destination wedding
The ceremony can take place at a hotel or restaurant.
Two foreigners
Write to us: we confirm the documents for your nationalities.
A couple living abroad
We review documents in advance so you only travel once.
What each partner needs
We check everything before the wedding date.
Guatemalan partner
DPI and birth certificate issued by RENAP.
Foreign partner
Valid passport, apostilled birth certificate and apostilled certificate of single status. If they are not in Spanish, they must be translated.
Both
Both partners must be at least 18 years old.
The prenuptial agreement (capitulaciones)
It defines how property will be handled during the marriage.
When it is mandatory
Article 118 of the Civil Code requires it when the bride is Guatemalan and the groom is a foreigner, and also when either partner has assets worth Q2,000 or more or earns over Q200 a month.
Your options
Community property, separate property, or community of acquired property, which applies by default if there is no agreement.
Compare them
Use our free tool in Spanish to compare the regimes with your own numbers.
How it works
From the first message to the registered marriage.
Document review
You send the documents; we confirm apostilles and translations.
Before bookingBook the date
We schedule the ceremony at our office, a hotel or a restaurant.
About 1 month aheadCeremony
The notary officiates and you sign the marriage record and, if needed, the prenuptial agreement.
Wedding dayRegistration
We register the marriage with RENAP and deliver the certificate.
About 20 daysTimelines and fees
Book about one month in advance. Registration with RENAP takes about 20 days after the ceremony. Fees depend on the venue and on whether a prenuptial agreement is needed. Message us on WhatsApp for a free quote.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner get married in Guatemala?
Yes. The foreign partner needs a valid passport, an apostilled birth certificate and an apostilled certificate of single status, translated into Spanish if needed.
Do we need a prenuptial agreement?
It is mandatory when the bride is Guatemalan and the groom is a foreigner, and in other cases listed in Article 118 of the Civil Code, such as when either partner has assets worth Q2,000 or more.
Can the ceremony be at a hotel?
Yes. It can take place at our office in Zona 10, or at a hotel or restaurant you choose.
How far in advance should we book?
About one month in advance, so we can review all documents.
How long until we get the marriage certificate?
About 20 days after the ceremony, once it is registered with RENAP.
Will our marriage be valid in our home country?
In most countries, yes, once the Guatemalan certificate is apostilled. Check with your home country's registry what they require.
How much does it cost?
Fees depend on the venue and whether a prenuptial agreement is needed. Message us on WhatsApp for a free quote.
Lic. Sergio Alvarez
Lic. Sergio Alvarez officiates civil weddings as a notary and explains each step in English to foreign partners and their families.
- Attorney and Notary — Universidad Francisco Marroquín
- LL.M. in Finance — Universidad Francisco Marroquín
- MBA — Universidad Francisco Marroquín
- Master in Management — Tulane University
- Specialization in Corporate Law — Universidad del Istmo
- Diploma in Finance — INCAE Business School and Georgetown University
Let's plan your civil wedding
Tell us your date, the venue you have in mind and each partner's nationality. We will confirm the documents and send you a quote.