Guatemala: minor travel authorization for leaving the country

Under Guatemala’s published regulation, Guatemalan minors leaving alone, with a third party or with only one parent must carry the corresponding authorization, subject to the sole-parental-authority exception below. Authorization is not required when only the accompanying mother or father exercises parental authority; certification of the document proving that circumstance must be presented (checked October 17, 2026).

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This page describes what the government of Guatemala publishes about this procedure; it does not describe or give guidance on US immigration or criminal proceedings.

Key facts

ItemPublished information
Authorization ruleUnder Guatemala’s published regulation, Guatemalan minors leaving alone, with a third party or with only one parent must carry the corresponding authorization, subject to the sole-parental-authority exception below.
ExceptionAuthorization is not required when only the accompanying mother or father exercises parental authority; certification of the document proving that circumstance must be presented.
ValidityThe authorization determines who may accompany the child on departure and the authorization’s validity.

Departure rule and exception

These departure rules appear in Article 27 of the Reglamento General del Código de Migración, as amended by Acuerdo IGM-027-2023 (05-05-2023). Its base rule is that Guatemalan minors leave «en compañía de sus padres o de quien ejerza la representación legal» (with their parents or whoever holds legal representation).

Under Guatemala’s published regulation, Guatemalan minors leaving alone, with a third party or with only one parent must carry the corresponding authorization, subject to the sole-parental-authority exception below.

Authorization is not required when only the accompanying mother or father exercises parental authority; certification of the document proving that circumstance must be presented.

The authorization determines who may accompany the child on departure and the authorization’s validity.

Article 27 lists the documents that can contain the authorization: «a) Carta Poder con legalización de firmas, b) Acta Notarial, c) Testimonio o Copia Simple Legalizada de Escritura Pública, d) Documento consular debidamente legalizado por el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores o, e) Certificación del Documento emitido por Órgano Jurisdiccional competente» (a power letter with legalized signatures, a notarial act, a certified or legalized copy of a public deed, a consular document duly legalized by the Foreign Ministry, or a certified court document).

Authorization when parents are abroad

If one or both parents are outside Guatemala, authorization must be given before the competent authority at a Guatemalan diplomatic or consular mission abroad.

That authorization must be «debidamente legalizada por el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores» — duly legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The rule for parents abroad also calls for a photocopy of the identification document of the person abroad.

It also calls for a photocopy of the identification document of the parent in Guatemala and a photocopy of the child’s birth certification.

Documents at border control

In addition to the authorization, the original and a photocopy of the document proving parental authority, care and custody, or guardianship must be presented.

The authorization is presented to IGM’s air, sea or land border-control offices.

IGM border-control delegates validate the documents presented.

Official sources

Last verified: 2026-10-17. General procedural information for educational purposes. Verify directly with the relevant Guatemala consulate about this procedure. Not legal advice; for your situation, consult an attorney.