Salvadoran passports are issued by the immigration authority and processed abroad through the consular network, which is one of the densest in the United States. Immigration status here does not affect the procedure, and consulates have been moving steadily towards walk-in service, with several now handling the passport and the national identity document in the same visit.
Quick facts
Appointments are booked free of charge on the ministry’s appointment portal, and the consular assistance line answers questions about requirements before you travel to the office.
Fees breakdown
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary passport, first issue or renewal | $60 USD | Paid through the authorised channel |
| National identity document (DUI) abroad | $35 USD | Same fee for issue, renewal or replacement |
| Appointment booking | Free | Official portal only |
| Replacement of a lost passport | Fee plus sworn declaration and penalty | Varies with where it was lost |
Payment methods differ between consulates. Some take only cash at the window, others a money order, so confirm before travelling with the wrong instrument.
How to renew
- Complete the application on the immigration authority’s online passport platform and attach any supporting documents it requests.
- Select the consulate where you want to be served.
- Book an appointment on the official portal, or check whether your consulate is taking walk-ins, in which case arriving early matters more than anything else.
- Prepare payment in the form your consulate accepts.
- Attend with your current identity document and your previous passport, even if expired.
- Give biometric data and collect the passport or receive it by the method the consulate uses.
Required documents
- Valid DUI in original.
- Previous passport, expired or close to expiry, in original.
- Recent photograph meeting the consulate’s specification.
- Payment receipt for the passport fee.
- Updated DUI if your name or civil status has changed since the last issue.
- For minors: both parents present with valid Salvadoran identity documents, or a special power of attorney or notarised authorisation when one cannot attend.
Where to renew
Consulates cover assigned states, and mobile consular days regularly reach cities without a permanent office. Check which office serves your state before travelling, since some consulates have closed and their districts have been reassigned.
No offices currently listed.
Additional notes
Passport and identity document together
Several consulates now let you handle both documents in one visit, which removes the old problem of needing a valid DUI before the passport could be processed.
Birth certificate first
First-time applicants need a recent certified copy of their Salvadoran birth record, generally issued within the previous twelve months. Order it before booking anything else.
Consular protection
Any Salvadoran detained by immigration authorities has the right to consular notification under the Vienna Convention. The consulate does not process U.S. immigration benefits, but it does issue the Salvadoran documents those processes require.
Mobile consular days
Mobile consular days offer the same documentation services as fixed offices. Dates are announced by each consulate rather than centrally.