TICG: the Guatemalan consular identification card
The Guatemalan Consular Identification Card (TICG) —what many people simply call "la matrícula consular"— is a document issued by the consulate itself that establishes who you are and where you live. It is not a passport and it cannot be used to travel, but it solves something very practical: having a photo ID that many US institutions accept, without carrying your passport around. This guide explains what it is really for, which documents are required, what it costs, how it differs from the DPI, and where its limits lie.
Contents
What the TICG is
It is a photo identification card issued by the Guatemalan consulate to citizens living abroad. It records your personal details and your address in the United States, and it is produced by the consular office itself: it does not come from Guatemala.
Its value is practical: it lets you carry official Guatemalan identification in your wallet without risking your passport, which is expensive to replace and best kept at home.
What it is and is not good for
It works for identifying yourself to the many US institutions that accept consular documents: banks and credit unions, health centres, schools, some city services and community programmes. Also for proving your address where that is required.
It does not work for travelling —that is what the passport is for— it confers no immigration status in the United States, and it does not replace US identification where an organisation specifically requires one.
TICG, DPI and passport: the differences in one table
| Document | Who issues it | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| TICG | The consulate, in the US | Identifying yourself and proving your address in the United States |
| DPI | RENAP, in Guatemala | Guatemalan national identity document |
| Passport | MINEX, through the consulate | Travelling and proving identity internationally |
Most people have all three, each for its own purpose. If you are missing the DPI, see its guide; if you are missing the passport, the passport guide.
Documents required
- A valid DPI or Guatemalan passport, to establish your identity and nationality.
- Proof of address in the United States.
- A photograph, if your consulate does not take it on site.
- Your appointment confirmation and the corresponding fee.
Confirm the list with your office: requirements vary little for this procedure, but the payment method and the photograph do change from one consulate to another.
How to book the appointment
Appointment portal
Choose "Estados Unidos", your consulate and the TICG or consular ID service.
citaconsularguatemala.comMobile sessions
The TICG is one of the procedures most often handled at sessions away from the main office.
See sessionsCost and validity
Indicative cost: around 10 to 20 dollars according to the sources we checked; in some programmes it is issued free.
Validity: set by the consulate when it is issued. Ask at your appointment and note the expiry date.
Payment: normally cash or money order, like other procedures.
Fees are set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and can change. Check at portal.minex.gob.gt or with your consulate. More detail in the consular fees guide.
Proof of address
This is the document that raises the most questions, because the TICG also certifies where you live. Recent documents with your name and address generally work:
- A utility bill: electricity, water, gas, phone or internet.
- A lease or rent receipt.
- A bank statement.
- Official correspondence addressed to your home.
If the bills are not in your name —very common in shared housing— ask your consulate what alternative it accepts before the appointment.
Its limits, stated plainly
- It is not a travel document. It does not replace the passport.
- It confers no immigration status. Having a TICG does not change your situation in the United States.
- It is not accepted everywhere. Each institution decides, and we cannot guarantee it will work for a specific procedure.
- It does not replace the DPI for business in Guatemala.
That said, for a great many people it is the document they use most: carrying it handles everyday life and keeps the passport safe at home.
Consular assistant
Still have a question?
Ask the assistant about your specific case: requirements, timings and what to do when what you need is not explained anywhere.
Frequently asked questions about the TICG
Can I travel to Guatemala with the TICG?
No. To travel you need the Guatemalan passport. The TICG is a consular identification document designed to establish identity and address in the United States, not a travel document. If you have a trip planned, what you need is the passport.
Which institutions accept the TICG?
Many accept it as photo ID —banks, health centres, schools, some city services— but it is not US identification and each organisation decides which documents it takes. The sensible approach is to ask wherever you plan to use it before relying on it.
Can I get the TICG without immigration papers in the United States?
Yes. The TICG establishes your identity as a Guatemalan citizen and your address, and the consulate issues it regardless of your immigration status. What you need is to prove that you are Guatemalan and where you live.
Is it accepted for a driving licence?
It depends on the state: some accept consular documents within their list of valid IDs and others do not. We cannot tell you it works in yours, because the rules vary by state and over time. Check with your state DMV before relying on it.
What does it cost and how long does it last?
According to the sources we checked, the fee is around 10 to 20 dollars, and in some programmes it is issued free. The validity period is set by the consulate when it is issued. Confirm both with your office when you book.
Do I need the DPI to get the TICG?
You need to prove your Guatemalan identity, and that is normally done with the DPI or a valid Guatemalan passport. If you have neither, call the consulate and explain your case before booking: they will tell you which documents they can work with.
Does the TICG replace the DPI?
No. They are different documents from different institutions: the DPI is issued by RENAP in Guatemala and is your national identity document; the TICG is issued by the consulate and is mainly for identifying yourself in the United States. Most people have both.