El Salvador Passport Documents Checklist
El Salvador passports are issued by the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME) at its branch offices. This page sets out the documents and fees for each case. Verified against the DGME, October 2026.
Adult first passport
- DUI (Documento Único de Identidad) — original, valid and in good condition.
- $25.00, paid only at the colecturías inside the DGME branches, in cash or by card.
Children and adolescents
- Original birth certificate (partida de nacimiento).
- Attend with both parents and their original, valid DUIs. If one parent cannot attend, present a notarial or consular authorisation specific to the passport application.
- $25.00, paid at the branch colecturía.
Passport validity
The ordinary passport is valid for six (6) years from the date of issue.
Renewal
- The expired or soon-to-expire passport.
- Original, valid DUI.
- $25.00 at the branch colecturía.
For children and adolescents, the same applies, with the birth certificate required only if the data has changed, plus both parents (or the notarial/consular authorisation).
Lost or stolen passport
You attend any branch and complete a sworn declaration that the passport was lost, then present your original, valid DUI and pay $25.00 for the replacement.
Second consecutive loss: if you lose the passport a second time in a row, you pay triple the value ($75.00) plus the passport cost ($25.00).
Cost and processing time
- Cost: $25.00 for a first issue or a renewal, paid only at the colecturías in the branches (cash or card).
- Processing: around 20 minutes on average, depending on branch demand.
Branches, hours and appointments
- Monday to Friday, 08:00–16:00: Cascadas, Masferrer, Pasatiempo and Plaza Mundo (Soyapango).
- Monday to Friday, 07:30–15:30: Centro de Gobierno San Salvador, San Miguel, Usulután and Santa Ana.
- Saturday (Cascadas only), 08:00–12:00 — service until the places run out (first come, first served).
- No appointment is needed at the eight branches on weekdays; service is by order of arrival.
The photograph
For an online renewal, the DGME describes how to take the photo (face the camera, head straight, eyes open, neutral expression, no hair or accessories covering the face, uniform lighting, no glasses, caps, hats or large jewellery) but does not publish a millimetre size. For any photo you prepare, check the format on the photo size chart and use the passport photo checker; see also the at-home photo guide.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need for a first El Salvador passport as an adult?
Your original, valid DUI in good condition, and $25.00 paid at the colecturia inside a DGME branch (cash or card).
How much does an El Salvador passport cost?
It is $25.00 for a first issue or a renewal, paid only at the colecturias inside the branches, in cash or by card.
How long is an El Salvador passport valid?
The ordinary passport is valid for six (6) years from the date of issue.
What happens if I lose my El Salvador passport a second time?
For a second consecutive loss you pay triple the value ($75.00) plus the passport cost ($25.00). A first loss or theft costs $25.00.
Do children need both parents for an El Salvador passport?
Yes. Minors attend with an original birth certificate and both parents with their valid DUIs; if one parent cannot attend, present a notarial or consular authorisation specific to the passport.
Do I need an appointment or can I go on Saturday?
The eight branches serve by order of arrival on weekdays with no appointment. On Saturdays only the Cascadas branch serves, 08:00-12:00, until places run out.
Browse every checklist on the checklists hub, prepare photos with the photo size chart and check the rules in the validity guide.
All checklists → Photo size chart →
Source note: the documents for each case, the $25.00 fee (and the triple $75.00 on a second consecutive loss), the six-year validity, the 20-minute processing time and the branch hours are from the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería, migracion.gob.sv/pasaportes-preguntas/ (checked October 2026).