Requirements for Consular Services
Passports
A Salvadoran passport is valid for five years and costs $60. The procedure is personal and the passport comes the same day. After October 2007, expired passports will not be renewed, so you must take steps to obtain a new passport.
If you were born outside of El Salvador to at least one Salvadoran parent, you have the right to a Salvadoran passport after registering your birth in El Salvador (see National Registry).
If you are more than 18 years old you must present:
* ·Original birth certificate in good condition and a photocopy (good condition means legible and without stains or rips); this requirement is essential and a passport will not be issued without it.
* ·Identity Document (Salvadoran document with photo), original and photocopy.
This could be any of the following documents:
* DUI – the photocopy must be enlarged 150% and on one piece of paper, front and back. If you have a DUI but the card is not in your possession you can request one from the National Registry of Natural Persons. For more information, the Registry phone numbers are 2279-4182, 2279-4248, 2279-4305 and 2279-4315.
* An expired Salvadoran passport or one that has almost expired.
* Personal Identification Card (if you do not have the original card or you have lost it you can request to be sent an Issue Certification from the mayorship where you obtained it).
* Salvadoran Driver’s License
* Electoral Card
* Social Security Card
If you do not have a Salvadoran document with a photo, you must come to the consulate with two close relatives (father, mother, or siblings) to serve as witnesses to establish your identity through an Identity Act. The witnesses must present valid identity documents (DUI or passport). The Identity Act costs $20.
If you already had a passport that did not expire but was lost, stolen, etc., you should present a statement of loss to the local police, or process it as an Act of Loss at the consulate. This act costs $20.
Married women who want the last name of their spouse to appear on their passport should submit to the consulate:
If married in El Salvador, your Salvadoran birth certificate, or the marriage license certified in a mayorship of El Salvador.
If married outside of El Salvador, the marriage should be certified by the consulate of that jurisdiction (see section 2 – Requirements for Marriage Certification).
If you have been divorced and do not want the last name of your former spouse to appear on your passport, you should submit to the consulate:
Your Salvadoran birth certificate.
If divorced outside of El Salvador, you should produce the divorce papers in El Salvador before a Salvadoran notary and you must present the divorce case under Salvadoran law (original and a copy).
If you are a widow, you must present the death certificate of the deceased spouse.
If you are a minor (under 18 years old) you must present:
Original birth certificate in good condition and a photocopy (good condition means legible and not stained or ripped); this requirement is essential and a passport will not be issued without it.
If you were born outside of El Salvador, you must present your birth certificate established in El Salvador.
If you already have a passport, you must present the original passport and a photocopy of the page with the photo.
Both parents must be present to sign the application and authorize the paperwork. Both parents should have identification in the form of a DUI or passport.
If one of the parents is unable to come to the consulate, they must grant authorization from their place of residence. If they live in El Salvador, they should bring the authorization before an attorney/notary. If they live outside of the country, the authorization must be processed through the nearest consulate.
The parents can also authorize a third person to be present with the minor to process the passport. The parents must authorize this person through legal authorization before a Salvadoran attorney/notary, or get authorization granted by the nearest consulate (see point 3 – authorization to process passports for minors). The authorized party must present their Salvadoran ID to the consulate.
If either parent is deceased, the parent that accompanies the minor must present the original death certificate of the deceased, as well as a photocopy.
If the whereabouts of either parent are unknown, the parent who is present can make a request to the Attorney General of El Salvador for permission to begin the passport process. This can be carried out through a relative in El Salvador authorized by an attorney. For more information, the telephone number of the Attorney General in El Salvador is (503) 2271-6108 for the switchboard and (503) 2222-5810 for the Complaints and Protection Department.
Family Registry
All births, marriages, and deaths that occur abroad should be registered through the consulate that corresponds to the place where the event occurred.(See Consulates' Jurisdictions in the US to determine which consulate to register through).
The registration can be made by anyone who identifies and presents the corresponding information.
This process is carried out the same day it is presented to the consulate.
All birth, marriage, and death certifications can be registered in El Salvador, by bringing the correct documents for each type of registration to the Ministry of Foreign Relations.
The process is faster if the foreign items are properly authenticated. Items from the United States must be noted as such.
For more information about the procedure in El Salvador call the Ministry of Foreign Relations, Procedures and Records Department of the Bureau of Consular Affairs, call 2231-1335, 2231-1116, or 2222-4447.
This procedure begins on the day it is brought forth at the Ministry of Foreign Relations, and the amount of time it takes depends on the type of documentation submitted.
Costs of the Family Status Register
Registrations of birth, marriage, and death are free if performed during the first six months following the event.
If more than six months have passed since the event, there is a $5 fine.
Additionally, a certificate of the event registered issued by the consulate costs $10.
Requirements to Register Birth, Marriage, and Death
When only one parent is Salvadoran, an infant is considered to be of Salvadoran nationality.
Birth:
* Foreign birth certificate, original and copy
* Birth certificates of both parents, original and copy
* DUI or valid passports of both parents, original and copy
* If the parents are not present, a relative with a DUI or valid Salvadoran passport may register the birth.
Marriage:
* Foreign marriage license, original and copy
* Birth certificates of both spouses, original and copy
* DUI or valid Salvadoran passport of the Salvadoran spouse and valid passport of the foreign spouse, original and copy
* DUI or valid passport of the person registering the marriage (if not one of the spouses), original and copy
Death:
* Foreign death certificate, original and copy
* Birth certificate of the deceased, original and copy
* Salvadoran document with photo (any of those mentioned above), original and copy
* DUI or valid passport of the applicant
* If the relative of the deceased registering the death is foreign, they must present a valid passport and proof of kinship.
Note: The original documents are returned to the owners, they are only required to verify that the copies are faithful to the originals.
Authorization to Process a Passport for a Minor
For a minor (under 18) to get a passport, permission must be given by both parents. If one or both parents cannot be present at the consulate to process the passport, they can authorize a third person to represent the minor.
* Birth certificate of the minor, original and copy
* DUI or valid Salvadoran passports of both parents, original and copy
* DUI or valid Salvadoran passport of the person authorized to process the passport for the minor and the authorization given by the parents, originals and copies of both documents
* All authorization should be accompanied by a copy of the DUI or valid passports of the parents.
* Authorization costs $20
* Same day processing
* All authorizations should be authenticated in El Salvador at the Ministry of Foreign Relations and the cost is $5 for the document issued at the consulate to be valid in the country and accepted by the authorities of the Directorate of Migration and Alien Affairs.
Travel Authorization for Minors
Any minor with a Salvadoran passport traveling to El Salvador without one or both parents must have permission from the parent or parents not traveling with the minor.
This authorization can be made before a Salvadoran notary or in the nearest consulate by presenting the following documents:
* Birth certificate of the minor, original and copy
* DUI or valid Salvadoran passport of the parent or parents not traveling with the minor, original and copy
* DUI or valid Salvadoran passport of the person traveling with the minor, in the case of a third party
* Authorization costs $20
* Same day processing
* All authorizations should be authenticated in El Salvador at the Ministry of Foreign Relations and the cost is $5 for the document issued at the consulate to be valid in the country and accepted by the authorities of the Directorate of Migration and Alien Affairs.
Pension Survival Record
Every six months, those with pensions who live in El Salvador must submit a survival record to be sent to the different pension institutions. The paperwork is personal and must present the following documents:
* Copy of pension card
* DUI or valid passport of pensioner
* Cost is $10
* If the pension is deposited in a savings account in El Salvador, a copy of the savings account number must be presented
* Same day processing
For any inquiry about the state of your pension, call (503):
Salvadoran Social Security Institute Pension Unit (ISSS) 2202-4777
National Institute for Pensions of Public Employees Pension Unit (INPEP) 2222-4844
AFP CRECER – 2211-9393
AFP CONFIA – 2267-7777
Admission of Animals into El Salvador
If you wish to bring pets to El Salvador they must be accompanied by an international health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian. The certification must be conducted within 30 days prior to the date of travel and must include the following information:
The animal was examined and found to be in a good state of heath, free of illnesses, parasites, and infections.
The animal has had a rabies vaccination within the last year; animals older than 2 months must have had this vaccination.
The animal has all the required vaccinations.
Note: This certificate does not need to be signed by a notary public or pass through a consulate.
Send this certificate to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) to be able to process an Animal Import Authorization. The MAG is located at 13 calle Oriente, Final 1st Avenida Norte, Avenida Manuel Gallardo de Santa Tecla, and the authorization is processed in the Animal Health Unit.
This authorization must be presented upon entering the country.
For more information, please visit the website www.mag.gob.sv or call the Animal Health Unit at (503) 2241-1773..
The documents for the entry (import) of animals must be presented to the Quarantine Inspectors in the airport or at the border to be reviewed, stamped, and signed attesting that quarantine requirements have been fulfilled and the pet may enter the country.
Animals Leaving El Salvador
To take pets out of El Salvador, the animal must be seen by a veterinarian so that a health certificate may be issued and detail all the vaccines that the animal has been given.
Subsequently, you must submit this document to the address above so that they can issue an Animal Export Health Certificate.
The documents for the exit (export) of animals must be presented to the Quarantine Inspectors in the airport or at the border to be reviewed, stamped, and signed attesting that quarantine requirements have been fulfilled and the pet may exit the country.
Information on DUI Centers in the United States
Call 1-800-941-5516
Visit the website www.dui.com.sv or www.rnpn.gob.sv
Location of DUI Centers in the United States:
* Los Angeles, 3460 Willshire Blvd. sixth floor, Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90010
* Long Island, 990 Motor Parkway, Central Islip, NY 11722
* Virginia, 14554 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192
In the United States, a DUI costs $35.
Visa to Enter El Salvador
Not everyone needs a visa to enter El Salvador. Depending on the country you are from, you may enter El Salvador without a visa or by purchasing a Tourist Card upon entering the country.
Nationals of the United States do not need a visa to enter El Salvador, but they are required to purchase a tourist card upon arrival at the airport or the border. A Tourist Card costs $10. If nationals of the United States plan to travel to El Salvador frequently, they can get a multiple entrance visa for free, under an agreement signed by the governments of the United States and El Salvador.
If the person is a national of a country that requires a visa, the visa must be acquired from a consulate where it will be stamped into the passport.
If the documents are complete, the visa can be stamped on the same day.
If the visa is not stamped in the passport, you will not be allowed to enter the country.
Visas can be for one entrance or various entrances (multiple entrance visa).
The visa is only a pass to enter the country and does not specify the amount of time a person may remain in the country. The immigration official that reviews your passport in the airport or at the border will grant the maximum length of the stay. Also, the immigration official makes the final decision on allowing entrance to the country (even if you have or do not need a visa) of any foreigner.
Requirements for Entrance Visas
1. $30
2. Passport that is valid for at least 6 months
3. Passport-size photo
4. Completed form signed by the person wishing to enter
5. Copy of round trip ticket
6. Photocopies of the passport pages with visas for other countries
7. Proof of employment and income
8. Letter of invitation to El Salvador, addressed to Geraldina Béneke, Director General of Foreign Service
The agreement letter must include:
* Full name of applicant. You must include a photocopy of the DUI of the person who signs the letter, or in the case of a legal representative of a company, society, or foundation (for profit or non-profit), you must attach the legal status of the backing company.
* Place of residence, address, and telephone number of the backing company or person who signed the agreement letter.
* Full name of the foreigner as it appears on the passport with the stamped visa
* Passport number
* Reason for traveling to the country
* Time of stay (must include number of days and exact dates of entrance and exit)
* Consulate where the visa was stamped
* It is essential to include the following sentence in the agreement letter: “I take responsibility in saying that this person will obey our laws and I promise that he/she will not participate directly or indirectly in domestic political activities and will leave the country once the length of time of stay that was granted has passed.”
Additional Requirements for Multiple Entrance Visas
In addition to the requirements for a single entrance visa, you must submit:
1. The cost of a multiple entrance visa that is valid for one year is $60.
2. Copies of all the passport pages that have been used.
3. Letter that supports the visa application which explains and justifies the reasons for applying for a multiple entrance visa.
4. For people traveling for business reasons, submit a letter from the inviting Salvadoran business, or the person with whom you conduct business.
5. For relatives or friends of Salvadorans, submit a letter of invitation from the person who supports the visa
6. Submit proof of income
Consular visas issued by Salvadoran consulates are valid to travel from El Salvador to Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua through the Agreement for the Creation of a Single CA-4 Visa (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua).
Consulted Visas
Some countries require a consulted visa. The confirmation or endorsement of this kind of visa is given by the Office of Immigration and Foreigners.
Upon receipt of complete documentation from the consulate, it will take two weeks for resolution to be issued by the Office of Immigration and Foreigners (DGME). Once the consulate receives the official endorsement from the DGME (through the Ministry of Foreign Relations) they can stamp the visa in the foreign passport.
The paperwork for the consulted visa can be done directly by the backing person or business either through the Office of Immigration and Foreigners or the Visa Unit of the Directorate General of Foreign Service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The telephone number for the Office of Immigration and Foreigners is (503) 2555-7727 and that of Directorate General of Foreign Service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is (503) 2231-1324.
Additional Requirements for Consulted Visas
1. Completed form signed by the person wishing to enter
2. Copies of all the passport pages that have been used
3. Agreement letter signed by the legal representative of the backing company in the country
4. Copy of the DUI of the person supporting entrance
5. Résumé
6. Address and phone number where the visitor is staying
7. Pay $30 for a single entrance visa and $60 for a multiple entrance visa upon receiving the endorsement from the DGME for the visa
Consulted visas issued by Salvadoran consulates are only valid for travel to El Salvador.
Extension of Authority
There are various reasons for requesting powers, and because of this in most consulates it is necessary to make an appointment to explain the type of power that you need.
The requirements to be submitted depend on the type of power, however is it essential that the person giving the power is of age and has a DUI or valid Salvadoran passport, as well as a copy of a Salvadoran document with a photo of the person they are giving the power to.
* For banking transactions, the bank account number is indispensable.
* To buy or sell Real Estate, you must submit the deed to the property or a certificate issued by the National Registration Center or the Rooted Property Registry where the property is situated, or provide the registration number and location of the building.
The N.I.T. must also be submitted.
All inquiries about deeds can be made to National Center for Property Registration at 2260-8000.
* For the sale of vehicles, the Circulation Card and the N.I.T. must be submitted.
* A power costs $40.
Settlement of Police/Criminal Records
The process is personal; the individual must complete a form at the consulate and will be fingerprinted.
You must submit:
* Photocopy of DUI or valid passport photo page
* Two photos from the front and one of the right profile. The photos must be passport-size and color.
* The process costs $3 for the document issued by the National Civil Police (PNC) and if it must be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Relations it will have an additional cost of $5. Documents for settlements from the United States are exempt from tariffs.
* If this is your second time submitting this type of document, you must submit a copy of the record of the previous settlement.
Send the application and the corresponding documents to the PNC; because of this part of the process the amount of time it will take to arrive at the consulate may vary.
The telephone number of the National Police is (503) 2529-1900.
Proof of Singleness
* Complete a form at the consulate
* Birth certificate, original and copy
* DUI, original and copy. If you do not have a DUI, present your passport and a copy of the photo page.
Send the application and the corresponding documents to El Salvador so they can be processed by the municipal mayorship of your city of origin, processing time may vary.
Telephone Numbers of the Embassy of the United States of North America in El Salvador
The telephone numbers of the embassy are: 2501-2600 for local calls and 866-730-2089 to call from the United States. Calls from the United States must be paid for with a credit card.
This excellent source of information is sourced from http://www.elsalvador.org/embajadas/eeuu/home.nsf/consularServiceInfo.
