A Salvadoran consular office for the Inland Empire

The Consulate of El Salvador in San Bernardino is located at 3505 Highland Avenue, Suite C, in the neighboring city of Highland, just minutes from downtown San Bernardino. This office was created to bring services closer to the large Salvadoran community of the Inland Empire, the vast inland stretch of Southern California covering San Bernardino and Riverside counties. For years, fellow Salvadorans in this region had to travel long distances on the freeway to Los Angeles to renew their DUI (national ID card) or their passport; with this office, cities such as Fontana, Rialto, Colton, Ontario, Moreno Valley and Riverside itself now have a much closer place to be served.

The Inland Empire is one of the country's great logistics engines: its enormous warehouses and distribution centers, together with freight transport and residential construction, employ thousands of Salvadorans who came looking for more affordable housing than along the coast. This office works in coordination with the Consulate General in Los Angeles, which remains the largest office in the area; depending on the service and appointment availability, some procedures may be referred to Los Angeles, so it is always best to confirm before traveling. Service is by appointment only: below you will find the exact address, phone numbers, hours and all the steps to book.

Contact information for the Salvadoran consulate in San Bernardino

Public service hours

IMPORTANT: Service is by appointment only. The consulate is closed on weekends and on official holidays of El Salvador and the United States.

Salvadoran passport: requirements and cost

Salvadoran consulates issue and renew passports. The appointment is free and is booked at portalcitas.rree.gob.sv; the passport itself has a cost. Documents usually needed:

• Valid DUI for adults (original).
• Salvadoran birth certificate and carné de minoridad for minors.
• Previous passport if renewing.
• For minors, the parents or legal guardian present with their ID.

Item	Detail
Approximate cost	~60 USD (confirm the current fee with your consulate)
Delivery	Varies by consulate; some offer faster delivery
Appointment	Free, mandatory, at portalcitas.rree.gob.sv

Passport guide →

Consular services for Salvadorans in the Inland Empire

1. DUI (Documento Único de Identidad – national ID card): Issuance, renewal, replacement and updates with in-person fingerprinting and photo.
2. Salvadoran passport: First-time, renewal and replacement for adults and minors.
3. Civil registry: Registration of births of children of Salvadorans born in San Bernardino, Riverside and the rest of California, marriages and deaths.
4. Certificates and records: Requests for birth certificates and other documents from the El Salvador registry.
5. Powers of attorney and notarial acts: For sales, property management or legal representation in El Salvador.
6. Apostille and authentication: Legalization of Salvadoran documents and documents issued in California for official use.
7. Minor's ID card (carné de minoridad): Identity document for Salvadoran minors.
8. Consular protection and assistance: Support in cases of detention, hospitalization, accident or death within the Inland Empire.

The Salvadoran community in San Bernardino

The Salvadoran community of the Inland Empire has grown strongly over the past two decades, drawn by housing more affordable than in Los Angeles or Orange County and by the huge availability of jobs in the logistics sector. Families originally from San Miguel, Usulután, La Unión and San Salvador are spread across San Bernardino, Fontana, Rialto, Colton, Ontario, Moreno Valley and Riverside, where they run pupuserías, Central American bakeries, repair shops and remittance agencies. Many Salvadorans work in the region's large warehouses and distribution centers, in freight transport (warehousing) and in the residential construction that keeps expanding across the valley.

• Key cities: San Bernardino, Fontana, Rialto, Ontario, Moreno Valley and Riverside
• Employment sectors: logistics and warehousing, freight transport and construction
• Traditions that endure: pupusas, patron saint festivals and the September 15 celebration

Requirements to get the DUI at the consulate

The Documento Único de Identidad (DUI) is issued by the RNPN and is processed in person at the consulate, by appointment. These are the documents usually requested (confirm the details of your case with your consulate):

• Previous DUI for renewal or replacement (even if expired).
• Recent Salvadoran birth certificate for first-time applications.
• In some cases, a Salvadoran passport or another document proving identity.
• Appointment confirmation generated at portalcitas.rree.gob.sv.

The DUI requires physical presence for fingerprints and a photo: it cannot be processed by mail or through a third party.

Full DUI guide →

How to book an appointment at the San Bernardino consulate

An appointment is required and is handled mainly online. You can use any of these options:

1. Online appointment portal: Go to portalcitas.rree.gob.sv, create your account, select United States → San Bernardino and choose the service, day and time.
2. Call Center: Call 1-888-301-1130 and press option 4 to schedule your appointment with an agent.
3. WhatsApp: Message +503 7070-1071 for questions and help with your appointment.