Your child was born abroad: register them as Guatemalan
We register with RENAP the children of a Guatemalan father or mother born outside Guatemala, even years later. No travel and no power of attorney: you send us the documents and we do the rest.
At a glance
- Registered with
- RENAP, Guatemala's civil registry
- Basis
- Nationality through a Guatemalan parent
- Time
- About one month
- Fees
- Free quote by WhatsApp
Key facts
- Service
- Late registration in Guatemala of a birth that took place abroad
- For
- Children of a Guatemalan father or mother who were not registered at the consulate
- How
- Notarial protocolization of the foreign birth certificate and registration with RENAP
- Documents
- Child's apostilled birth certificate and the Guatemalan parent's birth certificate, in original
- Time
- About one month
- Afterwards
- The DPI can be requested at RENAP or at a Guatemalan embassy or consulate
Who this is for
Not registered at the consulate
Your child was born in the US, Canada or elsewhere and the consular registration was never done.
Registered abroad years ago
Your child has had a foreign birth certificate for years and now wants to exercise Guatemalan nationality.
You want a Guatemalan DPI
To identify as Guatemalan and handle matters in Guatemala.
You yourself were never registered
If your father or mother is Guatemalan and you were never registered, this is also for you.
We handle everything in Guatemala
Document review
We review scans by WhatsApp before you send the originals, to avoid wasted shipments.
Sworn translation
If the certificate is in English or another language, we coordinate its translation in Guatemala.
Protocolization
The notary incorporates the foreign document into his official register. You do not sign or travel.
RENAP registration
We file with RENAP and follow up until the registration is completed.
Four steps, about one month
Send scans
We check the apostille and that the Guatemalan parent's full name appears.
By WhatsAppSend the originals
By courier: the child's apostilled certificate and the parent's Guatemalan birth certificate.
Depends on courierTranslation and protocolization
Sworn translation if needed; then the notary protocolizes the document.
On receiptRENAP registration
Once registered, your child can request the DPI.
≈ 1 month in totalDocuments you need
Two documents, always in original.
Child's birth certificate
Issued in the country of birth, apostilled, and showing the full name of the Guatemalan parent.
Parent's birth certificate
The Guatemalan birth certificate of the parent who passes on the nationality.
If it is in another language
You do not translate it: it is translated in Guatemala by a sworn translator.
Important: without the Guatemalan parent's birth certificate the registration is not possible. If you do not have it, write to us and we will guide you to obtain it first. If your child's name differs between countries, see legal name change.
About one month, with a free quote
We send you a free quote by WhatsApp after reviewing your documents.
Frequently asked questions
Can my child born in the United States be Guatemalan?
Yes. Guatemala's Constitution recognizes as Guatemalans by origin the children of a Guatemalan father or mother born abroad. Registering the birth with RENAP is what allows your child to exercise that nationality and get a DPI.
Do I have to travel to Guatemala?
No. You send us the original documents by courier, and we take care of the protocolization and the registration with RENAP.
Do I need to grant a power of attorney?
No. The protocolization is done directly by Lic. Sergio Alvarez as notary, so this procedure does not require a power of attorney.
What documents do I need?
Your child's birth certificate, issued in the country of birth, apostilled and showing the full name of the Guatemalan parent; and the Guatemalan birth certificate of that parent. Both in original.
The birth certificate is in English. Do I need to translate it?
You do not have to. It is translated in Guatemala by a sworn translator before it is protocolized. You only send the apostilled original.
How long does it take?
About one month in total.
Can we do it many years after the birth?
Yes. The registration is possible even if the person has been registered in their country of birth for many years, and even as an adult.
Where does my child get the DPI afterwards?
At RENAP in Guatemala, or at the Guatemalan embassy or consulate in the country where you live.
How much does it cost?
We send you a free quote by WhatsApp after reviewing your documents.
Lic. Sergio Alvarez
Lic. Sergio Alvarez personally handles these registrations for Guatemalan families in the United States, Canada and Europe, in English or Spanish.
- 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
Start your child's registration
Tell us where your child was born and send us a photo of the birth certificate. We will confirm whether it is ready for the process.