Services for Vessels,
Seafarers & Maritime Compliance

Maritime vessels within the scope of Guatemala’s national rules must be registered through the competent Port or Lake Captaincy. The public procedure covers vessels owned by individuals, legal entities or the State that are definitively imported, built or acquired in Guatemala, subject to the applicable requirements.

1. Complete the official application in the designated information system.
2. Submit the documents required for the vessel and applicant.
3. The competent captaincy reviews the application and requests corrections if necessary.
4. Once approved, the registration certificate is electronically validated and the applicant is notified.

Depending on the vessel and case, the public procedure identifies:

• Completed application form.
• DPI identification, or passport for a foreign applicant.
• Tax registration information (RTU).
• Colour photographs of the vessel from the prescribed angles and vessel plans.
• Passenger-liability policy, where applicable.
• Purchase or acquisition documentation.
• Import documentation and proof of payment, where applicable.

Use the current official procedure to confirm the complete requirements for your application.

Flagging follows registration and inspection. It assigns the national flag, together with the rights and obligations established by the applicable Guatemalan and international rules.

• Application form.
• DPI or passport, where applicable.
• Legal-representative appointment, where applicable.
• Proof of payment, where applicable.

The official procedure describes an electronic validation code on the resulting registration certificate.

Confirm the registration, inspection and navigation requirements applicable to your vessel. Do not assume that Guatemala operates a separate yacht registry or a dedicated yacht code equivalent to another flag administration.

Rules also govern the entry, stay and departure of tourist-type vessels. Foreign vessels entering temporarily may be subject to separate customs, migration, port and maritime requirements.

Contact the competent authority with your vessel’s status and intended operation before preparing a submission or arrival.

Seafarer training, certification and watchkeeping fall under the applicable national measures and Guatemala’s STCW responsibilities.

• Application form and DPI identification.
• Supporting training or diploma documentation, where applicable.
• Recent colour photograph.
• Medical examination or certificate approved under the maritime-authority framework.
• Proof of payment, where applicable.

Renewal or revalidation requirements may differ from first-time issuance. Use the current official procedure for the certificate type being requested.