How long is a private security company authorisation valid in Chile?

Four years from notification of the Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention's resolution granting it (DS 209, Article 51).

When must renewal be requested?

At least thirty days before expiry, proving again the requirements in items 2 to 7 of DS 209 Article 49 and those specific to the activity; after that, the full documentation must be filed as if applying for the first time (DS 209, Article 51).

Is DL 3.607 still in force?

No. Law 21.659 repealed Decree-Law 3.607 of 1981 and Law 19.303 with their regulations (Article 115). Authorisations in force when the new law took effect remain valid until they expire (third transitional article).

CL · Expiry & renewal tracking

Never let your security company's authorisation lapse

A private security company may operate only with an authorisation from the Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention, valid four years from notification of the resolution (Law 21.659, Article 34; DS 209, Article 51). Renewal is requested at least 30 days before expiry; after that the full procedure starts over.

Law 21.659 on private security repealed Decree-Law 3.607 of 1981 and Law 19.303, together with their regulations (Article 115). It enters into force six months after publication of its last supplementary regulation (first transitional article); its regulation, Decree 209 of 2024, was published on 27 May 2025, and LeyChile records the regulation as in force from 28 November 2025. The governing body is the Ministry responsible for Public Security, through the Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention, and the enforcement authority is Carabineros de Chile (Law 21.659, Article 1).

Private security companies are those whose purpose is to supply goods or provide services to protect people, property and production processes and that have the material, technical and human resources to do so (Law 21.659, Article 33). Only companies authorised by the Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention that meet the requirements of Article 34 may operate: being incorporated as private-law legal entities with private security as their corporate purpose, having the resources set by the regulation, taking out the staff insurance, and partners, managers and legal representatives meeting the background requirements listed in the law.

The authorisation is valid for four years from notification of the resolution granting it (DS 209, Article 51). At least thirty days before expiry, the company may apply for renewal by proving again the requirements in items 2 to 7 of Article 49 and those specific to its activity; after that deadline, it must file the full documentation as if applying for the first time (DS 209, Article 51). In addition, every two years it must send the Undersecretariat a report on compliance with the requirements, the staff list and its service contracts (Law 21.659, Article 35 No. 3; DS 209, Article 52).

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At a glance

Rule	Law 21.659 on private security and its regulation, Decree 209 of 2024; they repeal DL 3.607 and Law 19.303 (Law 21.659, Article 115)
Who authorises	Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention (Law 21.659, Article 34; DS 209, Article 51)
Validity	Four years from notification of the authorising resolution (DS 209, Article 51)
Renewal	Request at least 30 days ahead; afterwards, full procedure as a first application (DS 209, Article 51)
Periodic report	Every two years, to the Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention (Law 21.659, Article 35 No. 3; DS 209, Article 52)
Decision deadline	Twenty days from the application, the supplementary documents or the enforcement authority's report (DS 209, Article 51)
Changes to details	Must be updated on the Undersecretariat's online platform (DS 209, Article 51)
Enforcement	Carabineros de Chile, with complaints filed at the Local Police Court (Law 21.659, Articles 1 and 88)

Authorisations of individuals and legal entities that were in force when Law 21.659 took effect remain valid until their expiry date, under the legislation in force when they were granted (Law 21.659, third transitional article). The next renewal is then processed under Law 21.659 and DS 209.

Who is responsible?

The authorisation and renewal applications are signed by the company's legal representative (DS 209, Article 51). The company must update its details on the online platform whenever they change, send the report every two years and inform the Undersecretariat if it loses any of the requirements (DS 209, Articles 51 and 52).

If the deadline passes

Only companies authorised by the Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention may operate as private security companies (Law 21.659, Article 34; DS 209, Article 51). Failing to comply with the terms of an authorisation is a serious breach (Law 21.659, Article 96 No. 4), and when the enforcement authority finds a breach it files a complaint with the Local Police Court (Law 21.659, Articles 88 and 106). The Undersecretariat must revoke the authorisation if requirements are lost, or may suspend it while they are remedied; for private security companies, suspension and temporary closure last between three and six months (Law 21.659, Articles 109 and 110). If renewal is not requested at least 30 days before expiry, the company must apply from scratch (DS 209, Article 51).

Two dates per company

The authorisation expires four years after notification (DS 209, Article 51) and the report to the Undersecretariat is due every two years (Law 21.659, Article 35 No. 3; DS 209, Article 52). It is best to record both dates separately. The authorisations of the company's security guards are personal and have their own expiry; they are covered in the security guard credential guide.

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add the company's authorisation and record as the expiry date four years from notification of the resolution; the 60- and 30-day reminders leave time to apply for renewal with the minimum 30 days' notice.
Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before expiry and on the expiry day.
The legal team or an adviser can upload the new resolution through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
Assign a responsible person, such as the legal representative or operations manager; if the authorisation is overdue, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a private security company authorisation valid in Chile?: Four years from notification of the Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention's resolution granting it (DS 209, Article 51).
When must renewal be requested?: At least thirty days before expiry, proving again the requirements in items 2 to 7 of DS 209 Article 49 and those specific to the activity; after that, the full documentation must be filed as if applying for the first time (DS 209, Article 51).
Is DL 3.607 still in force?: No. Law 21.659 repealed Decree-Law 3.607 of 1981 and Law 19.303 with their regulations (Article 115). Authorisations in force when the new law took effect remain valid until they expire (third transitional article).
What periodic report must the company send?: Every two years, a report to the Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention on compliance with the requirements, the staff list and its service contracts, among other points (Law 21.659, Article 35 No. 3; DS 209, Article 52).

Sources

Last checked: Oct 11, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

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