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Please arrive on time for your appointment and no more than 15 minutes early. If you arrive late by 30 minutes or more, you may be asked to reschedule your appointment. In addition, please ensure that you bring requisite funds for payment of the fees, the typed and printed application form completely filled out, and all required supporting documents. If you arrive with incomplete forms or insufficient funds to pay the fees, you may be asked to reschedule your appointment. Please click here for security information to enter the Embassy.
The Consular Section is committed to the protection of U.S. citizens at home and abroad. We protect U.S. borders by facilitating travel for legitimate visa applicants while screening out persons who might do us harm or are otherwise ineligible for a visa under U.S. immigration laws. We ensure the safety and welfare of U.S. citizens living or traveling overseas by providing both routine and emergency services. At all times, we strive to provide quality service consistent with U.S. laws and regulations.
The Consular Section is open from 7:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Thursday, and 7:00 am to 12:00 pm on Friday (except on U.S. and Guatemalan holidays).
Learn about the latest requirements for air travelers to the U.S.
International Parental Child Abduction
International parental child abduction is the removal or retention of a child outside their country of habitual residence in breach of another parent or guardian’s custody rights.
One of the highest priorities of the Department of State and U.S. embassies and consulates abroad is to provide assistance to U.S. citizens incarcerated abroad. The Department of State is committed to ensuring fair and humane treatment for U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas. We stand ready to assist incarcerated citizens and their families within the limits of our authority in accordance with international, domestic, and foreign law. More informaton available at Travel.State.gov.
When an U.S. citizen dies abroad, the Bureau of Consular Affairs assists the family and friends. The Bureau of Consular Affairs attempts to locate and inform the next-of-kin of the U.S. citizen’s death. The Bureau of Consular Affairs provides information on how to make arrangements for local burial or return of the remains to the United States. The disposition of remains is subject to U.S. and local (foreign) law, U.S. and foreign customs requirements, and the foreign country facilities, which are often vastly different from those in the United States.
When a U.S. citizen is the victim of a crime overseas, he or she may suffer from physical, emotional or financial injuries. It can be more difficult because the victim may be in unfamiliar surroundings, and may not know the local language or customs.
Emergency Financial Assistance
Consular Affairs (CA) is the public face of the Department of State for millions of people around the world. We provide many services, and the most common are listed below.
U.S. Citizens overseas can renew passports, replace passports, or apply for new passports.
If you reside in Guatemala and have questions regarding services provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in Costa Rica. For more information on their services and how to contact them, please visit their webpage at: https://cr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/social-security/. For comprehensive information on SSA’s services abroad, please visit SSA’s webpage Service Around the World. If you are already receiving SSA benefits payments, there will be no change in the method of distribution of those payments.
Service members, Veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits services on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website at www.va.gov. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) can also be of assistance if Veterans and beneficiaries have questions about benefits and services.
If you are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder), you are responsible for filing U.S. federal income tax returns while abroad. You will find useful information on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, such as Frequently Asked Questions about taxes or how to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you are a U.S. government employee working overseas, you cannot claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. For additional information, visit the IRS website.
U.S. embassies and consulates overseas assist the Selective Service System with its registration program abroad.
Now all U.S. citizens can receive their blank ballots electronically. Depending on the state in which you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. To start, go to www.FVAP.gov to complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), print and sign the form then return it to your local election office in the United States. We recommend overseas U.S. citizens get in the habit of completing FPCAs each January. You should include your email address on the form so it’s easier for your election officials to reach you if there is a problem. If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, be sure to include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you’ll receive your blank ballot 45 days before general and mid-term elections and generally 30 days before special, primary, and run-off elections for federal offices.
The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
Legal assistance Medical Assistance Disposition of Remains List of Veterinarians Insurance VITAL RECORDSAttorneys at law are one of the biggest professional guilds in Guatemala. As of today, there are approximately 31,000 licensed attorneys along the country and each one of them can act as a Notary. Even when is not common to obtain a written contract, it is very important for U.S. citizens to clarify the fee for each service.
Health Information, Hospitals, Doctors, Ambulance and DNA Testing Information in Guatemala.
The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
List of Certified Translators Driver's Licenses Tax Consultant List Work Permits Background Checks and Fingerprints Guatemalan Residence RequirementsThe list is the result of recommendations received by the Embassy, as well as direct contact by the Embassy to translators. Certified translators are listed alphabetically, the order of the list has no other significance. Although we have used care in compiling this list, we cannot guarantee nor assume responsibility for the payment of any fees or the competence or integrity of the individuals whose names are listed. For this reason, we appreciate receiving comments, favorable as well as unfavorable, concerning the performance of the certified translators on the list. Such comments will assist us in the annual review of the list. You may send us an email to amcitsguatemala@state.gov.
U.S. driver’s licenses may be used in Guatemala for a period of thirty days. Following that period, a person wishing to drive in Guatemala must avail themselves of one of the following three options.
The Labor Ministry issues work permits to foreigners in Guatemala in several categories. Learn more about opportunities and requirements.
Neither Guatemala nor the United States is approving or processing new international adoptions to the United States at this time. The only adoptions that the Embassy is currently processing are those adoption requests that were filed before December 31, 2007 and left unfinished when Guatemala joined the Hague Convention. If you would like information about adoptions, please contact us via e-mail at adoptguatemala@state.gov. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Transition Cases and the Hague Adoption Convention (PDF – 182 KB)
A child born outside the United States to a U.S. citizen parent or parents may be eligible for U.S. citizenship if the parent(s) meets the requirements for transmitting U.S. citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act. U.S. citizens eligible to transmit citizenship are required to file for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).
U.S. embassy and consulate personnel cannot perform marriages in foreign countries. Depending on the law of the foreign country, local civil or religious officials generally perform marriages. Marriages performed overseas are considered valid in the country where they take place if they are entered into in accordance with local law. Recognition of the validity of marriages performed abroad depends on the laws of the place in which the marriage is to be recognized.
Please call: 2326-4000
Outside of Guatemala: +502 2326-4000
Emergency Contact – All Locations Get Travel Alerts International Parental Child Abduction Arrest of a U.S. Citizen Death of a U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime Emergency Financial Assistance
