Consulate of El Salvador for Philadelphia and all of Pennsylvania
IMPORTANT NOTICE: There is currently no Salvadoran consulate based in the city of Philadelphia. All of Pennsylvania falls under the jurisdiction of the General Consulate of El Salvador in New York, which is where the DUI (national ID card), passport and other procedures for Salvadorans in the state are handled.
Philadelphia's Salvadoran community and its consulate
Philadelphia has become one of the main destinations for Central American migration in the Northeastern United States, and the Salvadoran community has a growing presence there. The heart of that presence is in the south of the city: the area known as South Philly, especially along the Italian Market on 9th Street and in the neighborhoods of Point Breeze, Passyunk Square and Newbold, where pupuserias, bakeries, Central American grocery stores and money-transfer (remittance) agencies have flourished. Many families come from the eastern and central regions of El Salvador and work in restaurants, construction, cleaning, caregiving and the city's service sector.
This page guides Salvadorans in Philadelphia and across the state of Pennsylvania —Allentown, Reading, Lancaster, Norristown, Upper Darby, Pittsburgh and the rest of the Commonwealth— on where to complete their consular procedures. Since Philadelphia does not have its own office, the office with jurisdiction is the General Consulate in New York, which serves the state of Pennsylvania (and New York, except Long Island). Compatriots living near the Delaware border or in southern New Jersey also tend to plan their trip to Manhattan. Below you will find the exact address, phone number, hours and the steps to book your appointment.
Contact details of the consulate serving Pennsylvania
Office with jurisdiction: General Consulate of El Salvador in New York
Address: 14 West 37th Street, New York, NY 10018
Area: Midtown South, Manhattan
Serves: State of Pennsylvania (including Philadelphia) and New York, except Long Island
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Call Center / Virtual Consulate: 1-888-301-1130 (option 4 for appointments)
WhatsApp: +503 7070-1071
Email: consuladonyc@rree.gob.sv
Appointment: portalcitas.rree.gob.sv
Public service hours
IMPORTANT: Service is by appointment only. The consulate is closed on weekends and on the official public holidays of El Salvador and the United States. Always confirm the hours before traveling from Pennsylvania.
Consular services for Salvadorans in Pennsylvania
- DUI (Documento Único de Identidad, national ID card): Issuance, renewal, replacement and amendment with in-person fingerprinting and photo at the New York office.
- Salvadoran passport: First-time, renewal and replacement for adults and minors residing in Philadelphia and the rest of Pennsylvania.
- Civil registry: Registration of births of children of Salvadorans born in Pennsylvania, as well as marriages and deaths.
- Certificates and records: Requests for birth certificates and other documents from El Salvador's registry.
- Powers of attorney and notarial acts: For purchases and sales, property management or legal representation in El Salvador.
- Apostille and authentication: Legalization of Salvadoran documents and documents issued in Pennsylvania for official use.
- Minor's ID card (carné de minoridad): Identity document for Salvadoran minors.
- Consular protection and assistance: Support in cases of detention, hospitalization, accident or death within the jurisdiction covering Philadelphia.
- Mobile consular outreach days: Help with inquiries about traveling outreach events the consulate may schedule near Philadelphia.
How to book an appointment from Philadelphia
An appointment is required and must be arranged before traveling to the New York office. You can use any of these options:
- Online appointment portal: Go to portalcitas.rree.gob.sv, create your account, select United States → New York and choose the procedure, day and time.
- Call Center: Call 1-888-301-1130 and press option 4 to schedule your appointment with an agent.
- WhatsApp: Message +503 7070-1071 for inquiries and help with your appointment.
Frequently asked questions – Salvadorans in Philadelphia
Is there a consulate of El Salvador in Philadelphia?
No. Philadelphia currently does not have its own Salvadoran consular office. The former honorary consulate in the area is no longer operating, so all procedures for Salvadorans in Pennsylvania are handled at the General Consulate of El Salvador in New York, located at 14 West 37th Street, Manhattan, which is the office with jurisdiction over the state.
Which consulate does Pennsylvania belong to?
The state of Pennsylvania —including Philadelphia, Allentown, Reading, Lancaster and Pittsburgh— is part of the jurisdiction of the General Consulate in New York. That same office also serves the state of New York, with the exception of Long Island. So no matter where you live in Pennsylvania, your DUI or passport appointment is arranged by selecting "New York" on the appointment portal.
How do I get from Philadelphia to the consulate in New York?
The fastest option is the Amtrak train from 30th Street Station to Penn Station, in a little over an hour; the consulate is just a few blocks away on foot. To save money, FlixBus, Greyhound or OurBus buses connect Philadelphia with Midtown Manhattan for a low price. If you drive it is about two hours via I-95, but parking in Midtown is expensive, so many people prefer the train or the bus.
My child was born in Pennsylvania, can I register them as Salvadoran?
Yes. Children of a Salvadoran father or mother who were born in Pennsylvania can be registered in El Salvador's civil registry through the Consulate in New York. This allows them to obtain their Salvadoran birth certificate, their minor's ID card and, later on, their passport. Bring the U.S. birth certificate (preferably apostilled) and the Salvadoran parent's documentation.
I live in South Philly, where can I find the Salvadoran community?
South Philadelphia is the city's Salvadoran hub. Around the Italian Market on 9th Street and in neighborhoods such as Point Breeze, Passyunk Square and Newbold you will find pupuserias, bakeries and Central American grocery stores, as well as money-transfer (remittance) agencies. That is where information circulates about mobile consular outreach days and guidance for your procedures, although the official appointment is always booked through the portal or the Call Center.
Can I renew my passport or DUI by mail without going to New York?
The DUI (national ID card) is strictly in person, because the consulate must take your fingerprints and photo; it cannot be processed by mail or through third parties. The passport also requires you to appear in person. The good news is that you can prepare everything from Philadelphia: book the appointment at portalcitas.rree.gob.sv, gather the documents (valid DUI, or birth certificate if it is your first time) and make a single trip to the New York office to complete the procedure.