Private investigator licensing in Guatemala
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Guatemala.
Private investigation is a regulated private security service under Decreto 52-2010 (Arts. 1, 5.c, 41.g), and it needs an authorisation and an operating licence from the Dirección General de Servicios de Seguridad Privada (DIGESSP) of the Ministry of the Interior (Arts. 7-8, 32). Individuals may work on their own account only as escorts or private investigators, and must be adult Guatemalan citizens (Art. 15). Companies must be sociedades anónimas with at least Q150,000 paid-up capital (Art. 18). Private investigators must hold a university or technical-university qualification, or have graduated as an officer from a state security training centre, be trained and certified through the DIGESSP-designated body and have no criminal or police record (Art. 49). Working without authorisation or a licence is a crime punishable by 6-12 years in prison and a Q100,000 fine (Art. 66).1
18
None
Yes
Liability insurance or bond (Q150,000)
Provider
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World Association of Detectives
How to get licensed1
- 1
Obtain the required qualification and the training and certification from a DIGESSP-authorised training centre (Arts. 16.f, 49)
- 2
Individuals: file a written application with DIGESSP with a legalised copy of the DPI, criminal and police record certificates, the description of services and the training certificate (Art. 16)
- 3
Companies: obtain DIGESSP authorisation to incorporate a sociedad anónima (minimum Q150,000 paid-up capital) and register it at the Registro Mercantil (Arts. 18-19)
- 4
Within 6 months of authorisation, apply for the operating licence for the investigation service with proof of the insurance and bonds, the fee receipt and the other documents in Art. 32 (Arts. 31-32, 35, 39)
- 5
Pass the DIGESSP evaluations (law, technical and psychological) (Art. 50)
Licensed somewhere else?
See whether you can take a case in Guatemala.
How to qualify
- Who holds the licence
- Individuals and agencies1
- Training
- University technical, university, or state security-institution officer graduate; plus training and certification by the body designated by DIGESSP (Art. 49). Licence applicants must pass DIGESSP evaluations, including knowledge of the law, technical knowledge and a psychological evaluation (Art. 50)1
- Bond or insurance
- Providers must hold group life insurance for staff (at least 15 minimum wages), civil liability insurance or bond for third parties of at least Q150,000, and a performance bond for clients (Art. 31)1
- Citizenship
- Guatemalan citizen for individuals working on their own account (Art. 15.b)1
- Processing time
- DIGESSP must decide a licence application within 30 days of receipt (Art. 39); company incorporation authorisation within 3 months (Art. 21)1
- Renewal
- Operating licence valid 3 years, renewable for the same period; apply at least 30 days before expiry with a notarial statement that conditions have not changed (Arts. 32, 36)1
- Firearms
- Where the service is authorised to use firearms, the provider must comply with the Ley de Armas y Municiones (Art. 15.d); armed staff need a DIGESSP credential (Art. 30.c)1
Sources
Reference information, not legal advice. Confirm with the regulator before taking on work. Out of date? Tell us.
Questions about PI licensing in Guatemala
Do you need a licence to be a private investigator in Guatemala?+
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Guatemala. Private investigation is a regulated private security service under Decreto 52-2010 (Arts. 1, 5.c, 41.g), and it needs an authorisation and an operating licence from the Dirección General de Servicios de Seguridad Privada (DIGESSP) of the Ministry of the Interior (Arts. 7-8, 32). Individuals may work on their own account only as escorts or private investigators, and must be adult Guatemalan citizens (Art. 15). Companies must be sociedades anónimas with at least Q150,000 paid-up capital (Art. 18). Private investigators must hold a university or technical-university qualification, or have graduated as an officer from a state security training centre, be trained and certified through the DIGESSP-designated body and have no criminal or police record (Art. 49). Working without authorisation or a licence is a crime punishable by 6-12 years in prison and a Q100,000 fine (Art. 66).
Who licenses private investigators in Guatemala?+
Ministerio de Gobernación – Dirección General de Servicios de Seguridad Privada (DIGESSP), under Decreto 52-2010 of the Congress of Guatemala, Law Regulating Private Security Services (Ley que Regula los Servicios de Seguridad Privada), issued 23 November 2010.
How old do you have to be to become a private investigator in Guatemala?+
At least 18.
Is there an exam for a private investigator licence in Guatemala?+
Yes, applicants must pass an exam.
Do private investigators in Guatemala need a bond or insurance?+
Providers must hold group life insurance for staff (at least 15 minimum wages), civil liability insurance or bond for third parties of at least Q150,000, and a performance bond for clients (Art. 31)
How often does a Guatemala PI licence need renewing?+
Operating licence valid 3 years, renewable for the same period; apply at least 30 days before expiry with a notarial statement that conditions have not changed (Arts. 32, 36)
How long does it take to get a PI licence in Guatemala?+
DIGESSP must decide a licence application within 30 days of receipt (Art. 39); company incorporation authorisation within 3 months (Art. 21)
How do you get a private investigator licence in Guatemala?+
1. Obtain the required qualification and the training and certification from a DIGESSP-authorised training centre (Arts. 16.f, 49) 2. Individuals: file a written application with DIGESSP with a legalised copy of the DPI, criminal and police record certificates, the description of services and the training certificate (Art. 16) 3. Companies: obtain DIGESSP authorisation to incorporate a sociedad anónima (minimum Q150,000 paid-up capital) and register it at the Registro Mercantil (Arts. 18-19) 4. Within 6 months of authorisation, apply for the operating licence for the investigation service with proof of the insurance and bonds, the fee receipt and the other documents in Art. 32 (Arts. 31-32, 35, 39) 5. Pass the DIGESSP evaluations (law, technical and psychological) (Art. 50)
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