Foreigners having babies in Colombia

Hi everyone,

I am an Australian married to an Australian but living in El Rodadero Colombia.

I work here and have a 2 year working visa. We have been here for about 8 months now.

BTW it is fantastic! I had my doubts before coming out as neither of us had been here before, but everything has worked out terrifically. We have met great people, learnt some Spanish, and my school is nice. The pay is enough despite initial concerns, and our apartment is sensational. So thanks again to everyone here who helped me quell my fears and take the plunge.

Now we are maybe expecting a baby and I was wondering if anyone knows what the deal is with Colombian citizenship for babies born to two foreign parents here (only on working visas)? It's not really important for the child to have but was just curious.

Thanks.

By sallya on Sep 4, 2007, 09:07 in Friendly Talkzone.

adrienne79 says on Sep 4, 2007, 09:14:

I'm not sure of the answer to your question but CONGRATS!!!

robi666 says on Sep 4, 2007, 09:22:

Hi sallya, I remember your post like an year ago. Good that you are having the best! And good luck with your baby!

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

Gator says on Sep 4, 2007, 09:46:

If a child is born in Colombia, he/she will be considered to have Colombian citizenship automatically as long as one parent is a Colombian national or one of the child’s parents has legal resident status in Colombia.

The Colombian Constitution of 1991 recognizes citizenship in its article 96, which is as follows:
Title III
Concerning the Population and the Territory
Chapter 1
Concerning Nationality

“Article 96. The following hold Colombian citizenship:

1. Citizens by birth:
a. Native-born Colombians, according to one of these two conditions: that the father or mother should have been natives or Colombian citizens or that, being the offspring of aliens, either of the parents was domiciled in the Republic at the time of birth;
b. The children of a Colombian father or mother who were born abroad and then became domiciled in the Republic.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

bufalo says on Sep 4, 2007, 16:09:

Are you the nice lady that's teaching there? And your hubby is writing a book or something? Hope all is going well. Wish I could help with this, but I believe your child will not be a citizen here (but I'm very far from being a lawyer, honest)

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

Mr. Hollywood says on Sep 4, 2007, 16:16:

The laws about this are typically unclear and the DAS and MRE aren't a lot of help clarifying.

The law says it depends on the kind of visa the parents are here under and that you must be a "legal resident" but it's difficult to get clarification what, exactly that means.

On the other hand, people in the know tell me that later in life anyone with a Colombian birth certificate has the right to receive Colombian citizenship.

For an Aussie, Colombian citizenship is currently a bit of a booby prize, anyway, but you never know when that might change.

Gator says on Sep 4, 2007, 17:25:

But their constitution is clear on this matter.m That do NOT meet the requirements. DAS has no jurisdiction-the call is solely with MRE. A temp. work visa does not meet the requirements for residency and besides there wile be in the country less that two years in any event.

“Article 96. The following hold Colombian citizenship:

1. Citizens by birth:
a. Native-born Colombians, according to one of these two conditions: that the father or mother should have been natives or Colombian citizens or that, being the offspring of aliens, either of the parents was domiciled in the Republic at the time of birth;"

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

Mr. Hollywood says on Sep 4, 2007, 20:20:

However clear the Constitution may be, the MRE sent ME back to the DAS to get a letter confirming that my kid was, indeed, qualified for the honor of a Colombian passport. The MRE officials were totally chickenshit about making any sort of judgment calls.

Peter (Moderator) says on Sep 4, 2007, 23:18:

congrats! I found that the healthcare was pretty good in Colombia for pregnant women. The only problem is when she gets born, they tend to do C-sections instead of natural births, so if you want a natural birth it's best to find the right doctor/hospital in advance. Also, there's not as much support for breastfeeding.

Poor but snappy

wcarmack says on Sep 5, 2007, 02:28:

One of my daughters was born in Colombia in 1975. Neither myself or my wife are Colombian citizens. My daughter was issued a cedula last year.

woody

bufalo says on Sep 5, 2007, 11:17:

Peter, I don't know specifically how health care is for pregos, but overall it isn't the bestdown here. Whatever illness my wife's family has, they always come back home with "medicine" which is usually just a pain killer. Her neice constantly brings her son to the doctor and always comes back with "medicine" as well, but it is always just another liquid multivitamin or liquid formula.

If the docs feel the patient doesn't know any better, they just give them any ol' thing and send them on their way.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

Mr. Hollywood says on Sep 5, 2007, 12:56:

I have no idea about Snta Marta but the quality of pre-natal and maternity care for affluent foreigners in Bogota is excellent.

robi666 says on Sep 5, 2007, 13:22:

First there is a big difference between EPS - POS and a Plan Prepago.
Second there is a big difference from Bogotà - Medellin and the coast.

Mr. Hollywood says on Sep 5, 2007, 13:57:

I don't doubt that for a second. The care on the N. of Bogota in places like Santa Fe or Clinica del Country is clearly the best money can buy (in Colombia).

Robert Jorge says on Sep 6, 2007, 00:11:

Peter, based on what I have seen with Mrs. RJs family, I agree and disagree with you. I agree that they love C-Sections in Colombia. I am pretty sure I have zero inlaws that gave birth naturally. I mean none out of the whole, extended, fertile family.

I disagree with your take on the support for breast feeding. I was actually shocked, jajaja, when I first experienced an aunt or cousin casually taking her shirt down in mid-converstation, and casually, without a second thought, breast feeding her baby. I had never seen anything like that in public in the US, so it was a surprise for me in Colombia at first. It was a little wierd for me to be talking to an aunt and uncle, and all of a sudden I look over and the aunt has her breast exposed, getting ready for the baby to feed. Anyway, at least from what I saw, people didn't give breast feeding a second thought; it was as normal as peeing.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

sallya says on Nov 28, 2007, 15:56:

Just checked back here!

Thanks for your comments. I figured that Gator was right as that was the info I had found online, but like you all say, one never knows with Colombian bureaucracy (LOL).

Anyway, it was a false alarm but we will continue trying :)

I agree that the health care is questionable. With money you get great service and facilities etc. but so far I haven't been that convinced on the expertise of the supposed best gyno in Santa Marta. He's nice and all but like bufalo says there is 'medicine' for everything here... and it seems to be rubbish generally. The c-section thing is true too. I don't know a Colombian woman that has given birth naturally either. Apparently the doc gets $400,000 for a c-section and only $40,000 for a natural deliver. Go figure!