Mobile consulate of El Salvador in the U.S.: how outreach events work
Not every city in the United States has a Salvadoran consulate nearby. To bring services closer to those who live far from a permanent office, the consular network organizes mobile consulate outreach events (jornadas del consulado móvil): a team travels temporarily to a city and, over one or several days, handles the same services as a permanent consulate. In this guide we explain what the mobile consulate is, what you can get done at an outreach event, how to find the current calendar and how to prepare for your appointment.
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What the mobile consulate is and who it serves
The mobile consulate (consulado móvil, also called a "mobile consular outreach event" or "special event") is a service in which staff from a consulate general travels to a city that does not have its own consular office or that is very far from the nearest one. There it sets up a temporary venue, for example in a church, a community center or a hall, for a weekend or several days.
The goal is to spare Salvadorans from traveling hundreds of miles to complete a single task. It is especially useful for large communities in agricultural areas or inland cities with no consulate. These outreach events (jornadas) are not permanent: how often they happen depends on demand, available staff and the schedule set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The mobile consulate does exactly the same as a permanent office: it is not a different procedure, but the same consular service brought to your city on a temporary basis.
What services are offered at outreach events
At a mobile consulate outreach event you can usually take care of the most in-demand services. These are the typical ones:
- 🪪 DUI (Documento Único de Identidad, the national ID): first time and renewal.
- 📘 Salvadoran passport: issuance and renewal.
- 📄 Civil records and family registration: birth, marriage and death certificates.
- ✍️ Powers of attorney and document authentications.
- 🧒 Minor's ID card for children.
- 📋 Other consular services depending on each event's announcement.
The exact list of services varies at every event: some focus only on passports, others on DUI or family records. That is why it is best to check the official announcement before attending to confirm that your service will be available that day.
How to find the calendar and venue
Dates and locations change frequently, so never rely on old listings. To learn the current calendar and the specific address of each event, always check the official sources:
- 📱 Your consulate's social media: each consulate general posts its outreach events (city, date and venue) on Facebook and Instagram.
- 🌐 Ministry of Foreign Affairs: rree.gob.sv, where special events and mobile consulates are announced.
- 🗓️ Appointment portal: portalcitas.rree.gob.sv, where available slots appear when an event requires a booking.
- 📞 Call Center: 1-888-301-1130 (option 4 for the U.S. and Canada) to confirm the next event near you.
We do not publish specific dates because outreach events are scheduled and rescheduled constantly. Reliable, up-to-date information is always with the organizing consulate and on the official channels.
How to book and what to bring
Most outreach events work with an advance appointment, though some are first come, first served. Check the announcement to find out which format applies. If you need an appointment, this is the usual process:
- Find the event on the consulate's social media or at rree.gob.sv.
- Create or log in to your account at portalcitas.rree.gob.sv.
- Select the outreach event / mobile consulate and the service you need.
- Choose a date and time based on available slots.
- Show up with your confirmation and the required documents.
Bring your documents according to the service: to renew the DUI, your previous one is usually enough; for the passport, it helps to present valid identification; and for civil records or powers of attorney, the exact details of the person involved. Confirm requirements and costs before traveling to the event, since some services are paid for on site.
Cities that usually host outreach events
Mobile consulate outreach events are organized above all in cities without a permanent consular office or far from the nearest one, where there is enough Salvadoran community to justify the team's trip. Among the cities that usually host them are:
This list is only a guide: the cities visited change each year depending on demand. If your city has no consulate, check which office is closest on our home page and keep an eye out for event announcements.
Frequently asked questions about the mobile consulate
What is El Salvador's mobile consulate?
It is a consular team that travels temporarily to cities without a permanent consulate to offer, during an outreach event, the same services as a permanent office: DUI, passport, family records and more.
What services can I get at a mobile outreach event?
Usually DUI, passport issuance and renewal, civil records and family registration, powers of attorney and authentications. The exact list for each event is published by the organizing consulate.
Where do I see the calendar and address for the event?
On the social media of your area's consulate, on rree.gob.sv and, when slots are available, on portalcitas.rree.gob.sv. Dates change frequently, so always check the official sources.
Do I need an appointment for the mobile consulate?
For most outreach events, yes, and it is booked at portalcitas.rree.gob.sv. Some special events are first come, first served; confirm the format in the official announcement.
In which cities are outreach events usually held?
In cities without a permanent office or far from one, such as Fresno, Bakersfield, Phoenix, Tucson, Orlando, Nashville or Atlanta. The cities visited change each year depending on demand and resources.
Do services cost the same as at a permanent consulate?
Yes. The cost is the same as at a permanent office: for example, the DUI is free and the passport has a cost depending on the booklet. Confirm the amount and payment method in the event announcement.