Consulate of El Salvador in Silver Spring, Maryland
The Salvadoran office serving the Washington metropolitan area
The Consulate General of El Salvador in Silver Spring is the gateway for consular services for one of the densest concentrations of Salvadorans in the entire United States. Located in the heart of Montgomery County, just a step from the District of Columbia line, it serves nationals living in Maryland and the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Neighborhoods such as Langley Park, Wheaton, Takoma Park and Hyattsville have been home for decades to thousands of Salvadoran families who arrived during the major migration waves of the 1980s and 1990s.
The so-called New Hampshire Avenue corridor, which links Langley Park with Wheaton, is one of the liveliest Salvadoran enclaves in the country: pupuserías, shops, money-transfer agencies and Spanish-language parishes shape the daily life of a community that has made the DMV (DC–Maryland–Virginia) its second home. That is why this office handles enormous demand for DUI (national ID) cards, passports and civil registry services, and it is best to book your appointment as far in advance as possible.
Contact information for the Salvadoran consulate in Silver Spring
Address: 926 Philadelphia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910
City: Silver Spring (Montgomery County)
State: Maryland
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Phone: (240) 670-7509
Email: consuladoelsalvadordc@gmail.com
Appointment portal: portalcitas.rree.gob.sv
HIGHLIGHT: Silver Spring is a consulate that offers same-day DUI (national ID) delivery. If your appointment is for the Documento Único de Identidad (DUI, national ID), you can leave with the document ready the same day of your visit.
Days and hours of service
IMPORTANT: Service is by appointment only. Hours may change on Salvadoran or U.S. holidays, so always confirm before you go.
Services at the Consulate of El Salvador in Silver Spring
- Same-day DUI (national ID): issuance, renewal and replacement of the Documento Único de Identidad (DUI, national ID) with fingerprinting and photo, delivered the same day.
- Salvadoran passport: first-time issuance, renewal and processing for minors residing in Maryland and the DC area.
- Civil registry: registration of births, marriages and deaths that occurred in the United States.
- Birth certificate and minor's ID card: identity procedures for minor children of Salvadorans.
- Powers of attorney and notarial acts: powers of attorney for sales, asset management or matters in El Salvador.
- Apostille and document authentication: legalization of documents for use between El Salvador and the United States.
- Consular protection and assistance: support in cases of detention, hospitalization, repatriation or family emergency.
How to book an appointment at the Silver Spring consulate
An appointment is mandatory and free. It is arranged online through the official portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; select the United States, the state of Maryland and the Silver Spring office, and choose the service you need. Given the very high demand in the Washington area, we recommend checking the portal first thing in the morning to find available slots.
If you can't find any slots or have questions about your procedure, call the Salvadoran consulate Call Center: 1-888-301-1130, option 4, or write via WhatsApp to +503 7070-1071 for guidance.
Frequently asked questions – Consulate of El Salvador in Silver Spring
Is it true that Silver Spring delivers the DUI (national ID) the same day?
Yes. Silver Spring is a same-day DUI (national ID) delivery consulate, which means that if you come with your appointment and the correct documents, the Documento Único de Identidad (DUI, national ID) is printed and handed to you the same day of your visit. Not all consulates offer this option, so it is one of the great advantages of processing your DUI here.
I live in Washington D.C. — does the Silver Spring consulate serve me?
Yes. The Silver Spring consulate serves Salvadorans in Maryland and throughout the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, including the District of Columbia itself. Being just minutes from the DC line and very well connected by New Hampshire Avenue and Georgia Avenue, it is the go-to office for nationals in the capital and its suburbs.
What is the difference with the Woodbridge, Virginia consulate?
The Washington area has two Salvadoran consulates: Silver Spring (Maryland) and Woodbridge (Virginia). In general terms, residents of Maryland and DC use Silver Spring, while those in Northern Virginia (Prince William, Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria) tend to go to Woodbridge. If you have flexibility, it's worth checking appointment availability at both on the portal before deciding which works best for you.
How do I get to the consulate at 926 Philadelphia Ave. by public transit?
The consulate is right in downtown Silver Spring, one of the best-connected areas in the DC region. You can get there on the WMATA Metro Red Line to the Silver Spring station, which connects with the MARC train and numerous Metrobus and Ride On bus routes. From the station it's a short walk or Uber ride. If you drive, there are public parking garages downtown, though it's best to arrive early because the area is very busy.
My child was born in Maryland — can I register them as Salvadoran here?
Yes. Children of a Salvadoran father or mother are entitled to nationality even if they were born in the United States. At the Silver Spring consulate you can register the birth in the civil registry and then process the Salvadoran birth certificate, the minor's ID card and the child's passport. Book a "civil registry" appointment on the portal and bring the Maryland birth certificate, duly apostilled.
Why is it so hard to get an appointment in Silver Spring?
Silver Spring serves one of the largest Salvadoran communities in the country (Langley Park, Wheaton and the entire DMV), so appointment demand is very high. To have more options, check the portal first thing in the morning, have your documents ready, and consider the Woodbridge office if you live near Virginia. You can also call the Call Center at 1-888-301-1130, option 4, for guidance.