How do you translate a Guatemalan DPI for USCIS?
USCIS asks for a full English translation of a document in Spanish, with the translator’s signed certification. The Guatemalan DPI prints its field labels in English too, but the entries are in Spanish: marital status, neighborhood, ethnic group, dates with Spanish month names. We translate the whole card, front and back, with the CUI and the machine-readable lines. Both sides fit on one page: $25, ready within 24 hours after payment.
What the DPI shows
The DPI (Documento Personal de Identificación) is issued by RENAP, Guatemala’s National Registry of Persons (U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab)). RENAP’s guide to the current design shows these fields (RENAP (opens in a new tab)):
- front: the CUI (código único de identificación), given names, surnames, nationality, country of birth, sex, date of birth and the holder’s signature, next to a contact chip and the photo;
- back: place of birth, neighborhood (vecindad), address, linguistic community, usual name (nombre usual), ethnic group (pueblo), marital status, expiration date, serial number and three machine-readable lines.
Each field has a Spanish and an English label. The entries stay in Spanish, and dates are written with Spanish month abbreviations, such as AGO for August or ENE for January. The translation gives every entry in English and reproduces the numbers and the machine-readable lines character for character, as USCIS requires a full translation (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) (opens in a new tab)).
The CUI and older IDs
RENAP assigns every person a CUI that stays the same until their death. There are three kinds of DPI: for Guatemalans, for foreigners domiciled in Guatemala (extranjero domiciliado) and for minors. The DPI replaced the cédula de vecindad, an ID created in 1931 (RENAP (opens in a new tab)). If your file has an older cédula, we translate it as well.
RENAP issues a new DPI when any printed data changes, and a DPI held by someone over 70 doesn’t expire. You can collect a DPI at a RENAP office or at a Guatemalan consulate (RENAP (opens in a new tab)).
You also need the DPI for other Guatemalan records: to request a police record (antecedentes) from abroad, you email the Public Ministry with a copy of your DPI (U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab)).
Names
The DPI lists given names and surnames separately and adds a usual name line. We keep both surnames in the order of the card and spell names as in your passport. Tell us the spelling when you order, and it will be the same in every document of your order.
Where the translation goes
- Green card (Form I-485): the instructions ask for a copy of a government-issued identity document with your photograph (Form I-485 instructions (opens in a new tab)). What USCIS accepts
- Asylum (Form I-589): if you have other identification documents, such as a national identification card, the instructions recommend filing a copy (Form I-589 instructions (opens in a new tab)). Asylum documents
- Immigration court: a typed certification with the translator’s address and phone. What the court accepts
Our Spanish documents are translated and certified by a native Spanish speaker. What to file in your case is for you or your attorney to decide.
Sample translation
The sample has the original, the translation and the signed certificate. Personal details are blurred.
Questions
The card already has English labels. Why translate it?
USCIS asks for a full English translation of any document with information in a foreign language. On the DPI the labels are bilingual, but the entries, such as marital status or neighborhood, are in Spanish, so we translate the card in full.
How much does it cost?
A DPI, both sides, is one page: $25. Each additional page in the same order is $20; a DPI and two one-page certificates come to $65.
Do I need a notary or an apostille?
Not for USCIS: it asks for the translator’s signed certification, and it’s included.
How long does it take?
1–4 documents: within 24 hours after payment; faster, within 12 hours (+$15 a page) or 3 hours (+$30 a page, paid between 8 am and 6 pm Pacific time). For 5 or more, we give you the date with the quote.
How we do it
- Full translation
every stamp, signature and handwritten line
- Signed certificate
with the translator’s name, address and phone
- A PDF, ready to file
original, translation and certificate, translation pages numbered
- Price
$25 for the first page up to 250 words, $20 for each additional page, in the same document or another one.
- Turnaround
1–4 documents: within 24 hours after payment; faster, within 12 hours (+$15 a page) or 3 hours (+$30 a page, paid between 8 am and 6 pm Pacific time). For 5 or more, we give you the date with the quote.
This is a summary of what the agency publishes, not legal advice.