Colombian Cedula Question

vicshere says on Jul 2, 2007, 15:37:

I think you should renew your old passport then apply for a cedula

listo

ColombianoGringo says on Jul 2, 2007, 15:43:

If you are outside of Colombia, you can get your cedula or passport at the consulate closest to you.
Call them to see if they can help you get a cedula without renewing your passport. If you can get your Registro Civil, you can use that to get your cedula.

Peace,
CG

msaucey says on Jul 2, 2007, 15:45:

Does it matter if I was not born in Colombia? I was born in the U.S. but have dual citizenship... curious... if that will make things harder....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

bhill says on Jul 2, 2007, 18:56:

Your passport should have your celdula number on it.

ColombianoGringo says on Jul 2, 2007, 19:32:

msaucey,

Being born in the US might make it a little easier. I did the same thing last year and I am also a dual citizen born in the US.

If you have a Colombian passport, that means your parents registered you as their child. If you were registered in the US, the first thing you need to do is find the Colombian Consulate that services the area where you were born. Regardless of where you were registered, they should have your Registro Civil de Nacimiento.

You will need to get a new copy of this Registro. Then simply take that down to your local Colombian consulate and they will accept your application for a cedula. It is free, but you will need to take some passport style photos. They will give you a receipt/temporary cedula called a Contraseña. You can use this in Colombia until you get your cedula, which should take at least six months.

If you have any more questions, feel free to PM me.

CG

Robert Jorge says on Jul 3, 2007, 00:10:

If you have a parent that was Colombian, you are considered a Colombian citizen - or have the right to be. Like the guys said above, just call the nearest embassy here in the US and they will tell you what you need to do. I also believe it is impossible to obtain a Colombian passport without a cedula. Which, if I am indeed correct, you did have a cedula.

msaucey says on Jul 3, 2007, 09:18:

Thanks everyone for the feedback... I

'll give them a call after I have my mom find my expired passport... It's in the house somewhere... There's an embassy here in L.A., I'll probably just make the trip down there, but wanted to see what I should be expecting and what I should have on hand...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

vicshere says on Jul 3, 2007, 09:23:

remember one think if serving in the colombian military affect you when you come to colombia

listo

msaucey says on Jul 3, 2007, 10:08:

Ummm... Serving in the Colombian Military has NEVER even crossed my mind.... and still is not crossing my mind.... Besides, I have back problems I'm sure I'd be disqualified at the physical and I'd just be a damsel in distress.... lol.... or act like one anyway...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

vicshere says on Jul 3, 2007, 10:24:

you should serious look into that aspect of coming back to Colombia with a Colombian passport....for traveling you should leave you Colombian passport at home and use your American passport.......if I remember to get out of military service with a medical excuse still runs about 2,000,000 if I heard someone correctly some time ago

listo

msaucey says on Jul 3, 2007, 10:28:

$2,000,000 It would still be worth it.... I'm selfish, I still value my life too much... Besides, if my cousins haven't served, then I shouldn't either....and they live there!

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

ColombianoGringo says on Jul 3, 2007, 13:59:

I would recommend that you enter Colombia using your US passport. First off, you will save some money leaving the country as you will get a partial exemption for the exit tax.

Also, upon returning to the US, you will have to enter with your US passport and it may seem odd that you don't have any stamps in your passport. This probably won't be a problem, but why risk it.

So, unless you want to stay for longer than a month or two, you should probably use your US passport.

Keep in mind that you can use your cedula(or contraseña) once inside the country for ID and don't need to carry your passport everywhere.

Gator says on Jul 3, 2007, 19:55:

you do need to ask about the libreta militar. you may need that to be issued a Colombian passport

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .