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Please arrive on time for your appointment and no more than 15 minutes early. If you arrive late by 15 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.
The Department of State assists U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas and works to ensure their fair and humane treatment.
The Department of State helps the family and friends of U.S. citizens who die abroad. We inform the U.S. citizen’s next-of-kin of the death and we provide information on arrangements for local burial or the return of remains to the United States and on disposition of estates and personal effects. We also issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad, an official record of death.
International Parental Child Abduction
The Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues works to resolve and prevent cases of international parental child abduction and to help children and families involved in abduction cases. For more information, see our international parental child abduction page on travel.state.gov.
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
U.S. citizens in need of emergency financial assistance while abroad should first attempt to contact their family, friends, banking institution, or employer. Our American Citizen Services unit can assist in this effort, if necessary.
Use a commercial money transfer service, such as Western Union or MoneyGram., to wire money overseas. Money transfer cost comparison tools online can help you identify the best option. The person receiving the money will need to present proof of identity such as a passport.
Sending Money through the U.S. Department of State
When the commercial options listed above are not available or feasible, family or friends may send funds via the U.S. Department of State for delivery to a destitute U.S. citizen abroad at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The U.S. Department of State assesses a $30 fee to establish an account and transfer funds.
Destitute U.S. citizens may be eligible for a loan from the U.S. government to travel to the United States. Repatriation loans must eventually be paid back to the U.S. government. Your U.S. passports will be limited at the time the loan is issued and in most cases you will not be issued a new passport until the loan is paid in full. Contact us for more information.
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 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. dual citizen or U.S. citizen living outside of the United States, you can register with the Selective Service System.
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.
U.S. service members, veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) may also be able to help veterans and beneficiaries with questions about benefits and services. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) may also be able to help veterans and beneficiaries with questions about benefits and services.
Depending on where you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. To start, complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) here. Print, sign, and return the FPCA to your local U.S. election office. Include your email address so election officials can reach you if there is a problem. If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you will 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. We recommend completing a new FPCA each January, or when you move.
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 Hospitals, Labs, and Pharmacies in Guatemala City Disposition of Remains 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.
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)
If you have a child outside the United States the child may have acquired U.S. citizenship at birth if the requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act have been met as of the time of your child’s birth. To determine whether your child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth and to document that, you can apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) for your child. You may also choose to just apply for a U.S. passport for your child, although one benefit of a CRBA is that, unlike the U.S. passport, it does not expire and may be used as proof of acquisition of U.S. citizenship at birth. A full validity, unexpired U.S. passport is also proof of U.S. citizenship.
U.S. embassy and consulate personnel cannot perform marriages. Depending on the local law, civil or religious officials generally perform marriages. If your marriage overseas was performed in accordance with local law, it is valid in the country where it took place. Whether your marriage is recognized elsewhere depends on the laws of that place.
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
